State Issues 15 , CD3 DFL

100 Days, 200 Million Shots in Arms

DFL Party celebrates President Biden’s ongoing success in the battle against

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – This week, specifically Thursday, April 29th, will mark President Joe Biden’s 100th day in office. To commemorate this, the DFL Party will spend the week highlighting various accomplishments of the start of Biden’s presidency. Today, the party is highlighting Biden’s successful efforts at battling COVID-19.

When Joe Biden took office, he announced the ambitious goal of delivering 100 vaccine million shots in the arms of the American people by the 100th day of his presidency. Biden met that goal after just 58 days in office, so he increased it to 200 million.

Last week, Biden exceeded that goal as well. As things stand, more than 200 million vaccine doses have been distributed across the U.S. and over half of all eligible Minnesotans and Americans overall have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Chauvin likely to face uphill battle in expected appeal

Derek Chauvin‘s legal team may face an uphill battle if they seek to appeal his conviction on murder charges in the death of George Floyd, legal experts say.

However, Chauvin’s defense team likely sees the charged atmosphere around the trial and public comments from Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and President Biden as grounds for a future appeal. Judge Peter Cahill even highlighted Waters’s remarks as possible fodder.

On Tuesday, a jury convicted Chauvin of all three murder and manslaughter charges brought by state prosecutors in the highly-publicized trial. Continue reading.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: April 23, 2021

This week, the entire world watched as Minnesota awaited the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, while mourning the death of Daunte Wright at the hands of law enforcement.

While the trial of Derek Chauvin ended in justice for George Floyd in the courtroom, we know that full justice won’t be achieved until all Minnesotans feel safe and the relationship between law enforcement and our communities heals.

The Governor will continue to work to pass police reform legislation in our state.

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3): Remembering Fritz

Neighbors,

America and Minnesota lost one of our finest statesmen from the greatest generation, and I lost an extraordinary mentor.

Fritz Mondale was a man of principle, empathy, decency, and strength. His legacy is a powerful beacon to all of us during these difficult days.

Senate DFL Week in Review: April 23, 2021

Guilty verdict for Chauvin
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.

Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges

A jury in Hennepin County this week found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty on three charges in the murder of George Floyd: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin is currently imprisoned and awaiting sentencing, which is expected to happen in about eight weeks. Read more >>

Minnesota House approves Environment and Natural Resources budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its Environment and Natural Resources budget on a vote of 70-63. This legislation aims to protect and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources for current and future generations.

“Problem solving is not easy, but that is why Minnesotans elected us,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee. “Minnesotans are proud of our state’s many natural resources, and we want current and future generations to be able to enjoy the great outdoors. This is a problem-solving bill that addresses unprecedented threats to our environment and protects our air, water, land, and wildlife.”

Minnesota House approves changes to tax system to improve fairness, fund new investments in students, families, small businesses

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House Democrats approved new changes to state taxes to improve fairness and pay for important investments in students, families, and small businesses. The proposal expands the Working Family Tax Credit, establishes conformity on unemployment insurance and PPP loans (up to $350,000 per loan), and provides aid for small businesses that did not receive a PPP loan or did not make a profit in 2020.

“This tax bill is how Minnesota can make sure our neighbors and community members hit hardest by COVID-19 don’t get left behind,” said Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), chair of the House Taxes Committee. “It’s been an extremely tough year for working families, students, senior citizens, farmers, and small businesses. When the biggest corporations and the wealthiest are doing extremely well, Minnesotans expect the Legislature to level the playing field and fund important investments in people.”

To fund important investments in students, families, and small businesses, the House DFL tax bill creates a new 5th Tier income tax rate of 11.15% on income above $1 million (or $500,000 for single filers) and prevents multinational corporations from sheltering profits in offshore tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Minnesota House passes Agriculture budget bill

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its Agriculture budget bill to strengthen farming and food production in Minnesota. The legislation funds the operations of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Board of Animal Health, and the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute. Additionally, the bill makes new investments in high-speed broadband across the state.

“I’m grateful for our farmers in Minnesota and everyone else who works in agriculture. COVID-19 has been very difficult for the entire state, and this budget addresses many of the challenges farmers are facing,” said Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL – Esko), Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. “Agriculture represents a small part of the state budget, but plays an enormous role in our state’s economy and way of life. This legislation will help farmers have a stronger future, bolster our next generation of farmers and encourage new Minnesotans to explore opportunities in agriculture, tackle the growing threat of climate change, and ensure Minnesotans can all have healthy food to put on the table.”

With a vision to encourage more Minnesotans to explore farming, the legislation includes funding for an Emerging Farmer Office at the MDA, Farmland Access Teams, and Urban Youth Agriculture. The bill also requires the MDA to help farmers finance new cooperatives that process or market agricultural products or services.

Minnesota House Advances Public Safety, Judiciary and Civil Law Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, a day after the guilty verdict in the trial of the police officer charged with the killing of George Floyd, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced a major finance bill containing Public Safety, Criminal Justice Reform, Judiciary and Civil Law legislation on a vote of 70-63. The legislation increases accountability for law enforcement while also increasing investments in public safety. Furthermore, it expands justice for survivors of sexual assault and helps to equip communities for keeping their neighborhoods safe. The bill also focuses on reducing racial bias, decriminalizes poverty, and ensuring that every Minnesotan faces equitable treatment under our justice system.

“It’s our responsibility to create the public safety structure, framework, and resources that respect everyone’s human dignity and rights. Despite yesterday’s verdict, we still have much work before us to achieve the meaningful change Minnesotans deserve,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee. “At its core, this bill is about building trust among all of us. By advancing greater police accountability, funding to make reforms possible, and centering equity and the voices of those who’ve experienced crimes, House DFLers are delivering guidance for a public safety system that reinforces strong and healthy community life for all Minnesotans.”

Minnesota House Advances Energy and Commerce Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives advanced the energy and commerce budget bill on a vote of 70-64.

The Climate and Energy portion of the budget puts Minnesota on a path to achieve 100 percent clean energy in the electricity sector by 2040. It improves energy efficiency goals, strengthens the renewable energy preference, and updates state emissions targets to align with the latest scientific projections. The bill delivers critical funding to help reach these ambitious goals, including nearly $20 million to install solar energy systems on school buildings, state-owned buildings, and in state parks; $10 million to create a nonprofit Innovative Finance Authority to leverage private investment in clean energy; and $5.5 million to expand a solar manufacturing plant in Mountain Iron, which would make it the second largest in the nation. These investments will accelerate the transition to clean energy while helping Minnesotans save money on their electricity bills.

“This bill is about ensuring Minnesota is leading the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis), chair of the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee. “Seizing our opportunity to make a rapid and equitable transition to clean energy will create good-paying jobs and affordable energy and address the threat of climate change. We do this while making sure all Minnesotans – especially those most impacted by climate change – can access these benefits.”

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