WEEK NINE: April 27, 2018
Tick Tock – time is running out
The Legislature faces a May 21 constitutional deadline to complete its work, meaning just three short weeks remain to hold public discussion on sweeping proposals that will impact nearly every Minnesotan in one form or another. As a result of Republicans’ decision to wait until the last minute to do the job they were elected to do, the public is getting shut out of an important conversation about the state’s collective future.
It took Senate Republicans more than 60 days to pass a first draft of their supplemental budget proposal. There are some good things in this bill, but they are far outweighed by bad things that will hurt Minnesotans. The Senate Republican budget weakens collective bargaining rights, tells teachers what they can and can’t say in their classrooms, and cuts funding from crucial services. The Legislature has a lot of work to do to help build the state all Minnesotans deserve, and the Republicans’ budget doesn’t get there. It contains no real solutions to the collective challenges the state faces.
The public has yet to see Republicans’ plan to prevent a middle-class tax hike next spring. The public has also been kept in the dark on Republicans’ capital investment bill. If it took 60 days for Senate Republicans to pass a first draft of their supplemental budget, it is hard to imagine that the public will have ample time to review and comment on the Republicans’ tax and bonding plans in less than 21 days.
Press conference on extreme risk protection order and background check amendments
A press conference was held this week regarding two gun violence prevention amendments that will be offered during the Senate’s floor discussion on the supplemental budget omnibus bill.
Opioids press conference
Governor Mark Dayton and DFL legislators held a press conference this week to urge Senate Republican leadership to seriously consider enacting the new state guidelines to combat opioid abuse.
MN African American Family Preservation Act
DFL legislators held a press conference this week to raise awareness of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act.
Student groups continue their push toward gun violence prevention
Students Demand Action held a rally at the State Capitol this week to fight for common-sense gun safety in America.
Minnesota Sex Offender Program bill passes unanimously
Following the Minnesota Supreme Court’s decision to decline an appeal from the Department of Human Services on the full discharge of a patient from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, the Senate voted unanimously to pass a bill that clarifies the conditions under which an offender may be eligible for a partial or full discharge from a civil commitment.
Changes made to Sophia’s Law
Two years ago, Minnesota passed the first comprehensive carbon monoxide law for boaters in the United States.
Supplemental finance omnibus bill falls short
The omnibus finance bill this week was heard and passed on the floor.
Where’s the 2018 bonding bill?
There are only three weeks left in the Legislative Session and Republican Senate and House leaders still haven’t released their bonding bill. It’s time to let Minnesotans know what their bonding priorities are.
Bill authorizing Enbridge pipeline heads to the Senate floor
The Senate Rules Committee forwarded a bill this week that exempts the Enbridge Energy’s Line 3 pipeline proposal from the Public Utilities Commission certificate of need and routing permitting process.
Elder abuse prevention bill continues to advance, with improvements
Advocates are working hard to respond to legislation addressing elder abuse backed by Senate Republicans that is moving through the committee process.
Controversial container preemption bill
A bill passed the Local Government Committee this week that would prevent cities and counties from regulating the type of take-out containers that are allowed in their communities.
Wondering what’s going on with taxes? So are we.
Are you curious what the Legislature is doing to align Minnesota’s tax code with major federal changes? So are Senate DFLers.