A Greeting and Update from Senator Hoffman
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Senate DFL urges caution when investing one-time money
Minnesota Management and Budget presented their February forecast this week, which estimates a $1.513 billion budgetary balance, all of which is one-time spending. This balance is $181 million more than the November 2019 forecast. Minnesota’s economic outlook is stable, but a slowdown remains in the forecast. The small budgetary improvement continues into the next biennium and the structural balance is improved, but budget challenges remain.
Most of this supplemental budgetary balance is not available for ongoing spending. While a positive budgetary balance is always good news, the small increase does not change the fact that future budget challenges remain, and we will not let poor budgeting decisions jeopardize Minnesota’s economic future.
A balanced budget with fiscal stability protects Minnesota’s economy. With federal uncertainty, the huge drop in the stock market this week, and slowing economic growth, we need to be careful to balance any new permanent spending with new revenue in order to protect our economy and quality of life from future instability.
The Minnesota Senate DFL is committed to shoring up our budget reserves and working together to build the state all Minnesotans deserve, with high-quality education, affordable and accessible health and care, and increasing support for working families. The values we share bring our communities together and serve as a guide for how we make our state work better for all of us, no matter what we look like or where we come from.
We owe it to Minnesota’s students, seniors, working families, and farmers across the state to talk about what matters to them: tuition costs, property tax relief, the insulin crisis, childcare, and broadband. The supplemental budget gives us a real opportunity to use the funds for one-time spending in strategic investments across our state.
Safety of Family Farms is a Senate DFL priority
The governor held a press conference this week to highlight the need for funding farm safety initiatives in this year’s supplemental budget. Governor Walz also joined the federal government in declaring last week as Grain Bin Safety Week, to bring attention to the surge of farm accidents recently that resulted in the deaths of at least 10 Minnesota farmers. Farm safety has become a focal point for legislators this session, with critical farm safety legislation moving through the Senate.The bill is called Landon’s Law in honor of Landon Gran, an 18-year-old from rural Minnesota who tragically died in a grain bin accident last August. Landon’s mother has been a strong advocate for the proposals outlined by the governor and bipartisan allies. The legislation has passed its first committee and is currently waiting for a hearing in the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance Committee. (SF 3007)
The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage held a rally this week to discuss advancing equity programs in Minnesota. Members of Minnesota’s United Black Caucus spoke on the importance of Minnesotans of African heritage participating in the political process and raising their voices on issues important to them. Governor Walz attended the rally in support and stressed the importance of their fight to end inequities and injustices in Minnesota. He said it goes far beyond a proclamation and one day of rallies—we need to join together no matter where we come from or the color of our skin—to fight for a future of racial justice and electing leaders who work for all of us.
Capitol holds rally for Disability Advocacy Day
Senator Hoffman speaking at the Disability Advocacy Day Rally(Click here for full speech)
People with disabilities and advocates rallied at the State Capitol this week to bring attention to their 2020 legislative priorities. The day was spent discussing issues currently impacting individuals living with disabilities, their families, and support professionals. Currently, people with disabilities face barriers to inclusion within their communities and access to resources that could aid in their self-autonomy, as well as infringements on their basic human rights. Increasing the wages of Personal Care Assistants (PCA’s) continues to be a priority legislative issue. Doing so would incentivize quality candidates to fill these crucial positions and increase the independence of those living with disabilities.
Bill to Provide Ongoing Funding for Broadband Gets Hearing
Access to robust broadband is now recognized as a critical factor in the economic and social sustainability of all Minnesota communities.The Border-to-Border Broadband grants have been popular across the state and the need is significant. A bipartisan proposal heard this week would provide ongoing funding for the program without the need for a biennial appropriation. Starting in fiscal year 2021, $30 million would be appropriated every year from the General Fund for the program on an ongoing basis.(SF 3049)
Rural Finance Authority Funding Moving in the Senate
Agriculture is a pillar of Minnesota’s economy, creating $112 billion in economic activity and more than 430,000 jobs across the state. However, Minnesota farmers have been facing devastating challenges, from the weather to low commodity prices to health crises.A bill that appropriates $50 million for user finance loans was referred to the Senate floor. The money used for this program lowers the interest rates on loans issued to qualifying farmers for several programs under the direction of the Rural Finance Authority (RFA). The RFA was established in the 1980s in response to the farm credit crisis. The Authority is controlled by a board that consists of commissioners, the state auditor, and six members appointed by the governor and approved by the Senate. (SF 3408)
Senate DFLers committed to protecting privacy
A bill heard in Judiciary Committee this week forbids government entities from demanding electronic communication, including emails, be turned over without a warrant.
Minnesota law allows emails, text messages, and other digital communications to be accessed by law enforcement after 180 days, as the communications are considered abandoned. In a digital era where people often keep these communications for months, if not years, after the fact, this is a dangerous loophole that violates Minnesotans’ privacy.
Senate DFLers have been working on this bill for the last few sessions as the Legislature works to get ahead of emerging data and privacy issues. Collecting data without a warrant sidesteps Minnesotans’ right to due process, and we are leading the way in ensuring that doesn’t happen as more and more of daily life is managed digitally.
The bill was passed and sent to the floor for a final hearing. (SF 3071)
Update on Wage Theft Legislation
According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, nearly 39,000 workers are victims of wage theft each year, many of whom are low-income individuals with little means to fight the theft in court. These lost wages total nearly $12 million- averaging more than $300 in stolen wages for individual employees.
To combat this issue, a bipartisan wage theft bill was passed through the Legislature last year. The new law expands notification requirements for employers including the disclosure of pay rate, overtime and wage laws to their employees. The law also increased the penalties of wage theft including fees and jail time. This law is vital to holding employers accountable and ensuring every Minnesotan is paid the wage they are owed.
Legislation to address our PCA shortages, while helping college students
Minnesota faces a severe shortage of personal care assistants (PCA’s) throughout the state. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, personal care and service positions have 10,155 vacancies as of the second quarter of 2019. The Directed Care Service Corps legislation would be established through a grant to Healthforce Minnesota to oversee pilot programs. If passed, the program would offer the benefits of providing additional job opportunities for students while ensuring adequate care for people with disabilities and the elderly in Minnesota. (SF 2080)
Thank you Reverend Chris McArdle for your blessings at our floor session. With Senator Newton and Representative Stephenson.
Thank You!
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