WEEK Eight: Friday, March 1st
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are now within three weeks of our first deadline for bills that are in motion. There are a myriad of bills I’m working on for our senate district and the great state of Minnesota ranging from bonding projects for our roads and parks to enhancing the healthcare of our most vulnerable populations. If you’d like to see what I’ve authored or co-authored specifically I’m going to provide a link below so you can see exactly what has been crafted and where it sits now.
Send me your thoughts and ideas and let me know what you think. Session will only pick up pace from here on out and more work is coming my way. Look for another update next week, and stay safe out there in this weather.
February budget forecast is released
The big news this week was the release of the February budget forecast which sets the terms of debate for the two-year budget. The forecast projects how much money the state is likely to have for the upcoming biennium. Minnesota Management and Budget estimates a $1 billion budgetary balance which is $492 million less than the November 2018 forecast. It’s important to be cautious when the state’s budget balance decreases and diligent in working to balance any new investments with additional revenue.
In the senate
The nuts and bolts of new robotics legislation
Robotics teams from junior high and high schools from across the state came to the Capitol this week to join Legislators for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Advocacy Day, voicing their support for three new pieces of legislation which seek to expand STEM and technology education in Minnesota. As STEM education becomes increasingly relevant to industries, which are coming to rely on technology and mechanization, the new bills aim to promote robotics education in an attempt to aid students in preparing for new fields of employment. (SF 1740, SF 1739, SF 1738)
A press conference was held this week to introduce a legislative package to increase the state’s minimum wage to $16/hour, raise the Minnesota Family Investment Program grant, fully fund the Child Care Assistance Program, and double the Working Family Tax Credit.
The legislation is in response to the 10-year anniversary of a final report from the Legislative Commission on Ending Poverty by 2020. Unfortunately, Minnesota has failed to act and is no closer to reaching that goal than when the commission began its work in 2007.
The legislative package invests in four existing programs that are proven to be effective in reducing poverty. They are:
- Establishing a $16/hour minimum wage
- Doubling Minnesota’s Working Family Tax Credit
- Eliminating the waiting list for the sliding fee Child Care Assistance Program
- Providing a $300/month increase in the Minnesota Family Investment Program
These investments in Minnesota families would be funded by closing the loophole in which high income earners are exempt from some federal social security taxes. Currently, the federal government collects 6.2% of earned income on all wages up to $132,900/year, but nothing on incomes above that level. This law would continue to collect 6.2% of earned income above that threshold so high-income earners would pay the same percentage of their income that every other Minnesota worker pays. (SF 622)
Bill banning private prisons introduced
Legislation that would ban private prisons in Minnesota was introduced this week. If enacted, the bill would prohibit the Department of Corrections and sheriffs from housing inmates in facilities that are not owned and operated by the state, a local unit of government, or a group of local units of government. (SF 1678)
Celebration of African heritage comes to the Capitol
The United Black Legislative Caucus, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Governor Tim Walz, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and many others gathered in the Capitol rotunda for a rally to kick-off African Heritage Day on the Hill this week. The purpose was to celebrate African-American culture and engage in the legislative process with the launch of the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage 2019 legislative agenda.
2019 February forecast released
Minnesota Management and Budget released their February budget forecast this week. They estimate a $1.052 budgetary balance, all of which is one-time spending; this is $492 million less than the November 2018 forecast. With federal uncertainty and slowing economic growth, legislators need to be careful to balance any tax cuts and spending in order to protect Minnesota’s economy from future instability.
Workforce housing investment bill heard
There is a severe shortage of affordable workforce housing in many areas of the state. A proposal to help ease the shortfall would capture the growth in the mortgage registry and deed-imposed taxes from September 2019 through 2029, and it would place the revenue in the Workforce and Affordable Homeownership Development account. The money raised would be used for affordable and workforce homeownership development grants and loans to cities, tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives, and community land trusts. The funds will serve households up to 115% of area median income. The mortgage registry tax rate is 0.23% ($230 per $100,000 borrowed) on the amount borrowed and the deed tax rate is 0.33% ($330 per $100,000 deed value) of the purchase price. After passing the bills through the first committee, it will go next to the Tax Committee. (SF 942)
Broadband bills heard in first committee
Two bills were heard in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance Committee that would fund the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. One of the bills would provide funding for the program in 2020 ($35 million), and the other bill would provide funding ($70 million) in both years of the biennium. The Office of Broadband reports the Legislature appropriated, “$20 million [was] appropriated in 2014; $10.588 million in 2015; $35 million in 2016 and $20 million in 2017.” The omnibus budget bill that was vetoed by Governor Dayton last session contained $15 million for FY 2019. (SF 9, SF 1231)
Venison donation processing reimbursement increase
A bill was heard in committee that moves the $70 cap on the amount of money a meat processor can receive from the Commissioner of Agriculture for processing donated deer to an amount that is reasonable and documented within the limits of available funding. For a meat processor to qualify for reimbursement, they must be licensed and registered, arrange delivery of processed venison to a food shelf, and fill out the proper documentation for each deer they accept for donation. The bill passed its first committee and will go the Environment and Natural Resources Committee next. (SF 1329)
Bill to prohibit ivory and rhinoceros horn trade moves ahead
The Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Committee heard and approved a bill this week that clamps down on the ivory and rhino horn trade by prohibiting the sale of these products in Minnesota. This bill aligns Minnesota law with federal interstate commerce regulations by placing a prohibition on intrastate commerce. It does not criminalize possession of ivory, rhino horn, or other prohibited animal parts that are currently owned by Minnesota residents, nor does it prohibit inheritance or noncommercial gifts. (SF 1505)
Shared parenting time is back in the Senate
Controversial legislation changing how the courts deal with parenting time during dissolution proceedings was heard in the Family Care and Aging Committee this week. The bill changes the amount of parenting time each parent is presumed to have from 25% to 50% or as close to 50% as possible. The bill also requires judges to take into account certain family dynamics and other factors and requires judges to lay out their reasoning in the order for parenting time. (SF 1295)
Reinsurance program continues to move through committee process
Minnesota passed a program in 2017 that aimed to lower the cost of health care premiums for plans offered on the individual health insurance market. The bill allocated $542 million to insurance companies to help mitigate the risk of high-cost claims. It was a two-year program that expires this year. (SF 761)
Light rail operators held accountable
A bill was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee this week to subject light rail (LRT) operators to the reckless and careless driving provisions currently in statute, meaning a light rail driver would be guilty of a misdemeanor for reckless or careless driving. If an LRT drivers’ reckless or careless operation of a train causes great bodily harm or death, the driver would be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.(SF 1339)
Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act heard in committee
The Committee on Human Services Reform heard legislation this week to combat the arbitrary removal of black children from their homes by child protection agencies. African American youth in Minnesota are removed from their homes at alarmingly higher rates and are often moved from child protection into the juvenile justice system. This legislation seeks to address racial disparities found within the entire child protection system—from reporting, screening, and assessment, to family reunification or termination of a parent’s rights. (SF 730)
Election security funding withheld
A bill to release a fraction of federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds from the federal government passed the Senate this week. DFL members unsuccessfully attempted to amend the bill to allow the Secretary of State to use all of the $6.6 million funds already sitting in a state account. The Legislature must approve the funding, but the Senate Republican majority refuses to free the funds that will be used to protect future elections. (HF 14)
Expanding sales tax exemptions
The Senate Tax Committee considered two bills this week that could save cities, counties, school districts, and nonprofits money when it comes to sales taxes. Under current law, local governments, nonprofits, and certain medical provider entities do not have to pay sales taxes on construction materials or equipment if they are purchased separately from the costs of construction. However, most contracts are not bid in this fashion and many local governments are not able to access those sales tax exemptions. This increases the cost of public construction projects, which typically gets passed on to residents in the form of property taxes. The bill considered this week would adjust current law to make it easier for these entities to make their purchases sales tax-free. (SF 901, SF 943)
Mileage-based user fee considered
The Senate Transportation Committee heard a bill this week that would establish a pilot program to identify and implement the steps necessary to develop a mileage-based user fee system (MBUF) to fund Minnesota’s transportation system. The pilot project must demonstrate and evaluate technical approaches to operating a MBUF system, analyze options and policy questions, and result in a near-term capacity to implement or phase-in a MBUF. (SF 1122)
Veterans Committee continues to find ways to support veterans
The Veterans Committee heard a series of bills this week that work to raise awareness around mental health issues in the veteran community and offer tax breaks to those that served the state and country. (SF 814, SF 333)
A bill for Mothers Everywhere
I brought forth a bill this week to make more than just a celebration of mothers everywhere, but to make May the month of Maternal Mental Health Awareness. Post-Partum Depression is not only a threat to new mothers, it can even claim their life. Lets make May the month to celebrate and support our mothers in all ways as they provide the most precious gift only they can give: Life.
A Video Update from Senator Hoffman
Further Detail on Proposed Bonding Projects
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
Visits this Week!
Bill Atwell of the Epilepsy foundation sharing the desire for a rare disease council.
Clear Way Constituents talking with me about raising the smoking age to 21.
Brian O’reilly from Brooklyn Park stopped by for Business Day.
Darrick Moe and The Rural Electric Crew stopped by for a visit.
Mike and Daniella of IBEW speaking about the future for electricians and what is important to them.
The Bridge for Youth discussing the needs of homeless youth.
Jim Wagner and Midway Chamber Crew paying a visit.
Sue LaGrue of the Chamber of Commerce sharing what’s important to her.
Paul Burtness and Amanda Babcock of the Land Stewardship paying a visit.
Muslim American Society of MN speaking on important topics such as expanding MNCARE and affordable childcare.
Tammy McLemore of the Bicycle Alliance speaking about safe routes to school and transportation funding.
Tom Nesheim, Dan Martinez and Meghan Hunter on Business Day at the Capitol.
Congratulations to Amanda Herman of Champlin who was named Teacher of the Year at the Minnesota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Symposium. It is wonderful knowing we have such exceptional educators in our district striving to give our children the absolute best.