WEEK Seven: Friday, Feb. 22
Hello Neighbors and Friends:
Welcome to week seven of our 2019 session. I want to start off this update with an article and discussion about how climate change poses profound risks to our communities not just in the future but right now. Extreme weather events are increasing, and our climate is changing. What can we can to transition as quickly as possible to more renewable energy and reducing our carbon emissions?
Minnesota is leading the country in our efforts, but we must also be realistic as to how we achieve clean energy without jeopardizing cost and reliability. In 2007, Minnesota Republicans and DFLers joined together on the Next Generation Energy Act and adopted a goal to hit the 80 percent reduction by 2050.
It’s great that Minnesota has already hit its renewable electricity standard goal of 25 percent by 2025 this year by using wind, solar, biomass, and hydro power. We’re also on course to reach its current solar electricity standard of 1.5 percent by the end of 2020.
I believe we could reach the 80 percent goal by making additional investments in clean energy sources like wind and solar and by transitioning more machines to electric power instead of fossil fuels, including cars and trucks. Battery storage and better connections to the wider grid will allow Minnesota to have reliable electricity, even when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.
You can help create a clean energy future too. Below are some tips we can all do at home:
Make your house more air tight. Even in reasonably tight homes, air leaks may account for 15 to 25 percent of the heat our furnaces generate in winter or that our homes gain in summer. If you pay $1,100 a year to heat and cool your home, you might be wasting as much as $275 annually.
Buy and use a programmable thermostat for a 15 percent reduction in your heating and cooling emissions and save $180 a year. During the summer, a setting of 78 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal during the hours you are at home, and 85 degrees when you are away during the day.
Use power strips in your home office and home entertainment center to curb “phantom loads” and save a surprising amount on your electric bill. Keeping your laser printer turned on when not in use could be costing you as much as $130 annually.
Get an electricity monitor from your local hardware store or even borrow one from many local libraries to see where the energy hogs are in your home. This can help you save hundreds of dollars annually.
Change those light bulbs. New LED light bulbs can give the same light for 15 percent less electricity. That adds up to more than $100 in savings for most families each year.
Wash clothes in cold water. They get just as clean with today’s detergents. But hot water washes use five times the energy—and create five times the emissions. This could save you nearly $100 a year.
We are in this together. Legislators are reviewing ways we can help reduce our carbon footprint, but all of us can do our part in reducing our energy use by making our homes more efficient.
In the senate
Governor introduces 2019 budget proposal
Governor Walz unveiled his 2020-21 budget proposal this week, which features approximately $49.6 million in total spending or an 8.6% increase from the 2018-19 budget.
More information on the Governor’s proposal is available here.
Hundreds of people took part in Arc Minnesota’s 2019 Disability Day at the Capitol this week. Participants attended a training seminar, met with legislators, and participated in a rally. They were at the Capitol to raise awareness surrounding critical issues affecting Minnesotans with disabilities, their family members, support staff, and allies. Their goals for this legislative session are to advocate for a solution to the workforce crisis, prevent sexual violence, improve access to self-directed supports, and increase investment and self-advocacy.
Bills promote civics education for high school students
Legislation requiring students to take civics education courses before graduation were heard this week in the Education Committee. The proposals will be considered for inclusion in the education omnibus bill to be passed later in the session. School administrators say they want to work with the bills’ authors and supporters to find a positive solution to the credit issue this session. (SF 17, SF 294)
Cursive writing instruction could make a comeback if bill passes this session
Minnesota students would once again learn how to write legibly in cursive by fifth grade if a bill heard in the Education Committee passes this session. Cursive handwriting was the mainstay for elementary school children before the proliferation of keyboards, cell phone, and emails, but it is no longer taught with the same fervor. Several states – California, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, North and South Carolina among them – have recently made cursive a mandatory subject in schools. (SF 193)
Bill for the Outdoor Heritage Fund advances
The Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee approved $127.5 million in spending from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. The bill was approved without opposition and will be heard next in the Senate Finance Committee. (SF 1019)
Environment Finance Committee considers aquatic invasive species grants
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee heard a bill this week that allocates $2 million to the Department of Natural Resources to be used for grants to lake associations for controlling aquatic invasive species. Under the bill, no more than 10% of the $2 million may go to a single lake association. (SF 1062)
Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant to showcase state’s immigration history
The Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee heard a bill this week to fund a $950,000 grant from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund for a Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) project called “Minnesota Journeys: Capturing, Sharing and Understanding Our Immigration History.” In addition to the hearing, TPT also joined legislators and Capitol attendees for Public TV Day at the Capitol to engage with the public on the importance of public broadcasting. The bill was discussed and set aside for possible inclusion in an omnibus legacy finance bill. (SF 762)
Electronic monitoring legislation moves to the floor
Bipartisan legislation on electronic monitoring, otherwise known as granny cams, made it to its third committee stop this session in the Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers and advocates have been working for several years to make sure monitoring can be used in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to keep seniors safe and ensure quality care. The committee discussed whether the proposal adequately balances safety and privacy, as well what happens if a device captures evidence of abuse. The proposal passed and was referred to the Senate Floor. (SF 11)
Family Care and Aging Committee continues focus on child care regulations
The Family Care and Aging Committee spent this week hearing bills focused on state regulations for family child care providers. Lawmakers are grappling with the best way to address the concerns of family providers about the challenges of some regulations while still ensuring safety is maintained as a number one priority. All of the bills heard in committee sought to clarify the laws child care providers must follow in an effort to encourage child care providers to stay in business and make it easier for prospective providers to open new businesses. All of the bills were laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. (SF 1030, SF 1097, SF 882, SF 1034, SF 1035)
Taylor Hayden Gun Violence Prevention Act
The Taylor Hayden Gun Violence Prevention Act was heard in the Human Services Reform Committee this week. The bill would provide $400,000 for grants to nonprofits that offer gun violence prevention activities and is intended to reduce the number of injuries and deaths of innocent people while increasing community safety. The legislation was first introduced in 2017 after Sen. Jeff Hayden’s late sister, Taylor, was killed in 2016 by a bullet intended for someone else. The bill has support from many gun violence prevention advocates like Moms Demand Action, members of law enforcement and the courts, and families who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence. The Taylor Hayden Gun Violence Prevention Act passed and was referred to the Health and Human Services Committee. (SF 464)
Regent candidates advance for full consideration by House and Senate
Five candidates were approved by the joint House and Senate Higher Education committee this week for consideration by the House and Senate. Voting for the regent candidates will happen in a joint session of the full House and Senate memberships. Four regent spots are open this year: Fifth Congressional District (Peggy Lucas is the incumbent); Student At-Large (Abdul Omari is the incumbent); and two statewide At-Large seats (Linda Cohen is a retiring incumbent, and Dean Johnson is another incumbent).
- Student At-Large: James Farnsworth, Mike Kenyanya, Sara Kettering, and Joshua Preston
- Fifth Congressional District: Peggy Lucas, Janie Mayeron, Allison Barmann, and Kelly Doran. Doran withdrew last month
- At-Large: Lynn Abrahamson, Robert Eddy, Susan Adams Loyd, Kao Ly Her, Bill Luther, Mary Davenport, Kim Isenberg, Sandy Weise, and Dena Johnson. Johnson withdrew last week.
Governor Walz’s budget proposal includes a $20 million tax credit available to those investing in the early stages of companies. Additionally, the Governor’s proposal would target the funding to aid Greater Minnesota in utilizing the tax credits, lower the minimum investment threshold, and reduce the late filing fee. A Senate bill heard in committee this week provides the $20 million tax credit but in its current form does not restructure the program to ensure all areas of the state can benefit from the program. The bill will be next heard in the Senate Tax Committee. (SF 788)
Business development incentives bill heard in committee
A proposal to fund the Minnesota Investment Fund, the Job Creation Fund, and the Redevelopment Grant and Demolition Loan Program was heard in the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee this week. The funding in the bill is used as the primary driver for the redevelopment, attraction, retention, and economic development in Minnesota. The total cost of the proposal is $54 million. The League of Minnesota Cities, Medical Alley Association, and a business provided testimony in support of the proposal. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. (SF 1076)
An Important Notice of a Road Closure!
The Closure takes place between March 3rd and October 18th. For a larger image to better read the details:
A Video Update from Senator Hoffman
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn