CAPITOL UPDATE APRIL 20, 2018
After a week-long Easter and Passover break, it’s great to be back at the Capitol. With the May 21 end-of-session adjournment approaching quickly, it will be a contentious month in the Minnesota Legislature. I will be working hard to pass legislation our community has aimed to enact since the beginning of the biennium in 2017. Thank you again for your continued support as I am honored to serve and represent our community.
The Minnesota Senate Chambers welcomes members back after a week-long Easter and Passover break.
Lieutenant Governor
Last week, a constituent again sued Lieutenant Governor Michelle Fischbach for unconstitutionally holding two offices at the same time. Lt. Gov. Fischbach, who was elected to serve as State Senator of District 13 and by law is our state’s Lieutenant Governor, has continued to gavel in the Senate floor as Senate President throughout the 2018 session. Ramsey County District Judge John Guthmann dismissed the earlier lawsuit without prejudice in February, which allowed Fischbach’s constituent to bring it before the court again. Guthmann’s ruling leaned on the premature timing of the lawsuit because the Senate was not currently in session. With over a month remaining in this year’s session and with votes now taken by Lt. Gov. Fischbach, it appears the court must come up with a different decision. It is in my opinion, with the backing of our state’s constitution, in which no one person can hold two offices in two branches of government.
Minnesota Supreme Court
On Tuesday, Governor Mark Dayton introduced the appointment of Paul Thissen as the next Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. The United States Senate’s confirmation of the appointment of Minnesota Supreme Court Justice David R. Stras to the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals left a vacancy in late January. Thissen, a current Minnesota House of Representatives member and former Speaker of the House from 2013-2015, will resign his seat today after 16 years. Throughout his private practice and public defense career, Thissen has worked to train Minnesota lawyers to better serve Minnesotans with disabilities and has defended the rights of those with no other recourse. Thissen brings 25 years of legal experience to the Minnesota Supreme Court and is a respected mind among the Minnesota legal community.
Senator Ron Latz speaking in Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee.
Taxes
With 32 days until the constitutional end of session and 361 days until next year’s tax filing deadline, Minnesota is yet to conform to the federal tax changes passed in late 2017. Unfortunately, Republicans in the Senate and House have not revealed a plan to do so, despite Governor Dayton’s released plan in March. If the Republican led Legislature chooses to not act this session, more than 300,000 Minnesotan tax filers will see an average of $200 tax increase next year. Additionally, if the Republican led Legislature conforms to federal law and fails to do nothing more, roughly 870,000 Minnesotan tax filers would see a statewide tax increase average of $489 in the next year. If we fail to appropriately address federal tax conformity and our state’s tax system, Minnesotans would undoubtedly endure an onerous and complicated process next year as taxpayers would have to labor through two very different systems of taxation.
Gun Violence Protection
On Tuesday, I offered two bills as amendments to the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy supplemental funding bill. The first bill would establish a permitting process to purchase a firearm and the second bill would allow for extreme risk protective orders. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans voted both measures down along party lines, 6-3. In the two years since I introduced a number of gun violence prevention bills, the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee has not scheduled a single hearing to discuss gun violence prevention.
Senator Ron Latz addressing the crowd of activists and supporters at the Moms Demand Action rally on Wednesday.
Hands Free Bill
This week, a bill that would prohibit the use of handheld cellular phones while driving moved closer to becoming law. The bill, SF 837, would disallow drivers to use cellular phones while in motion, or as part of traffic, including use at stoplights. However, the driver may use a hands-free device such as an automobile’s Bluetooth mechanism and allows cellular phone usage while driving in an emergency situation. This bill does not prohibit the use of navigation systems or listening to audio content, provided the cellular phone is used via the hands-free mode. Minnesota would join fifteen other states in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, who prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cellular phones while driving.
Election Protection Funds
Minnesota is set to receive roughly $6.6 million in federal funds to upgrade the state’s election system. These funds, matched by the required 5 percent rate at $329,781, will go towards the administration of federal elections, enhancement of technology, or the making of certain election security improvements over the next two years. State requests for supplemental federal funding for election security heightened after the Department of Homeland Security found Russian hackers had scanned the digital voter registration systems in 21 states prior to the 2016 election. A total of $380 million was appropriated to the Election Assistance Commission to share among qualified states.
Senator Ron Latz speaking with Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk in the Senate Chambers.
Senator Ron Latz and constituents visiting the Capitol in support of Moms Demand Action.
Senator Latz in the News
Star Tribune: Bills take aim at Minnesota officers, elected officials accused of abuse
Minnesota Lawyer: Update on Legislation: Gun Violence Prevention Bills
Star Tribune: Legislature could end use of cameras in Minnesota courtrooms
Twitter: Criminal Background Check Bill
Thank you for your continued interest in the state legislature and our work serving Senate District 46. If you have any time-sensitive questions, comments, or concerns please call my office at 651-297-8065.
Regards,
Ron Latz
Serving District 46:
Golden Valley, Hopkins, Medicine Lake,
Plymouth, & St. Louis Park