WEEK Twelve: Friday, Mar. 29
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It has been a longer than usual week. There was a ton of action that I’ll share with you here today.
First, we have seen the culmination of many peoples work. Last week Speaker Hortman wrote a letter and gathered house member signatures to support extending DED (Deferred Enforced Departure) for our Liberian community members and seeking a path to citizenship. Senator Abeler and I then printed more letters for the senate and passed them out on the floor, asking our fellow legislators to support a DED extension as otherwise it would end on March 31st of this month.
Senator Hoffman, Senator Abeler, and Senator Eaton speaking on behalf of extending DED. |
With 48 of 67 Senator signatures, I reached out to Congressman Phillips and sent our letters to Washington DC. He hand delivered them on Wednesday, March 27th to the White House.
On Thursday, March 28th the President extended DED by another year.
While this is cause for celebration we must not rest. We need a pathway to citizenship for our Liberian community members so that they never have to live under this threat again. I am heartened by seeing what can happen when we stand together however and I know we can see this through.
When we stand together we stay together.
Second, I had six bills heard in committee and pass on to the next step. This ranged from funding for various care to supporting programs to get our homeless youth off the street.
Rob Wudlick testifying with Senator Hoffman on SF 1312.
Third, one of my co-authored bills passed its first hurdle in the Senate. In Minnesota if you are married your partner cannot legally be charged with rape. Jenny Teeson shared her story with me and working with Senator Benson we have pushed a bill to repeal the marital defense forward so that such horrific acts have swift and just consequences.
Jenny Teeson testifying next to Senator Benson on the repeal.
That is all for now everyone. Keep an eye out for next weeks newsletter and take care.
John
Bill that hopes to give victims a voice moves forward
Minnesota statute states that a person that rapes their partner or spouse is not guilty of criminal sexual conduct. This exception is commonly referred to as the marital rape exemption. (HF 15/SF 235)
Children first: rally for early childhood care and education
Members of MinneMinds, Greater Twin Cities United Way, advocates for early learning, educators, parents, and legislators joined together to rally for support of child care and education in Minnesota.
Labor unions support Minnesota families
The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) shared a Day on the Hill this week. MAPE is a local labor union that advocates on behalf of federal employees and emphasizes sound democracy and active citizenship. Similarly, AFSCME is a nation-wide union that promotes public service employees and emphasizes the importance of fairness in the workplace and equal opportunities for working families. Combined, the two groups are composed of over 60,000 workers across the state of Minnesota.
Kids Count on Us
Over a hundred children, caregivers, and other advocates eagerly congregated at the Capitol this week to call on legislators to support and fund the futures of Minnesota’s youth. The rally was organized by ISAIAH’s Kids Count on Us, a statewide coalition of providers, parents, and teachers committed to ensuring quality, affordable childcare across Minnesota.
Minnesota leads the way for domestic violence survivors, let’s keep it that way
Advocates and survivors joined at the Capitol this week to take a stand against the perpetuation of domestic violence in Minnesota. Organized by the Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women (MCBW), the event elevated voices in support of legislation that would continue critical funding for advocacy intervention and create new funding for prevention and perpetrator transformation programs in the state. (SF 1683)
Addressing the student debt crisis: transparency and justice for all
DFL members introduced legislation this week that would bring accountability and transparency to the student loan industry in Minnesota. State educators and advocates gathered at the Capitol to share their personal stories of student debt, including navigating misinformation and intentionally complex processes perpetuated by student loan servicing corporations. These testimonies of economic hardship and hindered opportunities highlighted the pressing need for laws that protect Minnesota borrowers. (SF 1484)
Chronic wasting disease and Cervidae farm regulations
A proposal heard this week defines commercial and noncommercial herds for the purposes of fencing, regulations, and farming of Cervidae which includes, but is not limited to, white-tailed deer, mule deer, red deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer, and muntjac. Ultimately, the bill passed and was referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee. (SF 1995)
Modification to Beginning Farmer Tax Credit sent to Tax Committee
The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit was enacted in 2017 as part of a tax bill that was passed during the special session. The law provides tax credits for the rent or sale of farmland or farm assets to beginning farmers. The bill heard this week expands the eligibility of the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit to include family members and allows the commissioner to wave the educational requirements if the participant has a four-year degree in an agricultural program or related field. (SF 255)
Early detection bill receives committee hearing
A bill heard in Commerce Committee this week would require health plans to cover 3D mammograms and breast cancer screenings. (SF 1038)
Group seeks to bring more male teachers of color to Minnesota classrooms
A bill heard in the E-12 Education Committee this week would provide funding to encourage more teachers of color to educate Minnesota’s children. (SF 1745)
Kids to get assessed before kindergarten
If a bill heard in the E-12 Education committee this week becomes law, students entering kindergarten would be assessed so schools know their level of school readiness. (SF 33)
Schools get excused absence for cold, snowy winter
Minnesota school districts were handed an excused absence slip from legislators this week as a conference committee agreed to provisions to help schools for days lost to Minnesota’s cold, snowy winter. (SF 1743)
Off-road vehicle touring routes and trails discussed
The Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee heard a bill this week that devotes resources to planning and designing a state system of touring routes and trails for off-highway vehicle use. The goal is to identify sustainable, legal routes that are suitable for licensed four-wheel drive vehicles and a system of recreational trails for registered off-road vehicles. The project will encourage tourism and economic development in the communities located along the way. The project involves preparation of a comprehensive, statewide, strategic master plan for off-road vehicle touring routes and trails. (SF 1599)
Bill to control drone use takes flight
The sci-fi fear of black helicopter surveillance may be closer than people think. (SF 1430)
Special session per diem prohibition
A bill was heard this week to prohibit legislators from receiving per diem payments during a special session. Per diem are daily payments to legislators to compensate for daily expenses of serving at the Capitol. Senators receive per diem at a rate of $86 per day and representatives receive per diem at a rate of $66 per day. The cost for all senators to receive per diem during a one-day special session equates to approximately $16,000. (SF 2489)
Hands-free bill passes Senate
The Senate passed its own version of a bill to prohibit drivers from talking on their cell phone while driving with the exception of any hands-free mode. The bill is in response to strong evidence that cell phone use while driving can be distracting and cause accidents. The National Safety Council estimates that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes every year or 64% of all road accidents. In the past few years, there have been an average of 59 deaths and 223 serious injuries each year on Minnesota roads due to distracted driving. Auto premiums in the past three years are up 15%, partially attributable to claims due to distracted driving. (HF 50)
Slow poke bill passes another committee
A bill to prohibit vehicles from driving in the left-most lane of traffic passed the Judiciary Committee this week. It would require drivers to move to the right if there is a vehicle immediately behind the first vehicle. Exceptions to this requirement would include traffic congestion, inclement weather, or a vehicle is preparing to turn left. Drivers would be fined no less than $100 for violating this new law, and the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety is required to conduct a public awareness campaign to increase knowledge of this new statute to keep to the right. (SF 620)
Funding for local transit to continue
A bill was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee this week that removes the sunset of the diversion of motor vehicle sales tax revenue to replacement service providers, who provide private bus routes, dial-a-ride services, and express routes to suburban cities not within the Met Council’s service area. (SF 2085)
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