Tag: 2019 Minnesota special session

Legislature Approves Rep. Moller’s Initiatives to Curb Gender-Based Violence

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – A series of overdue protections against sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence was approved as part of a broader package of Public Safety legislation by the Minnesota House and Senate early Saturday morning. Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview), an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney, is the chief author of several of these initiatives.

“I’m incredibly proud of the victims, survivors, and advocates who shared their voices and highlighted the numerous ways in which our state must improve the way we handle these heinous, unimaginable actions,” Rep. Moller said. “Minnesotans recognize that those who commit these crimes need to be held accountable and this session we made it a priority to strengthen our laws to ensure they can be.”

One initiative championed by Rep. Moller would create a working group to examine the state’s current criminal sexual conduct statutes. The current law has numerous loopholes and inconsistencies, creating situations in which an assault has occurred but prosecution is extremely difficult. Rep. Moller and advocates have noted an entire re-write of the statutes may be necessary to ensure survivors are able to seek justice. Continue reading “Legislature Approves Rep. Moller’s Initiatives to Curb Gender-Based Violence”

Minnesota House Approves Environment and Natural Resources Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a new environment and natural resources budget. The legislation includes appropriations from the General Fund and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

“Minnesotans know our state is a special place to live and want it to remain that way for years to come,” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), Chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division. “They’re proud of our state’s natural beauty and abundant resources and expect us to protect our environment for future generations of Minnesotans.”

The new budget contains innovative, problem-solving solutions to address long-term environmental issues. A comprehensive plan to help stop the outbreak of chronic wasting disease (CWD) provides new funding for disease management and research to develop a better diagnostic test. It establishes an adopt-a-dumpster program that would help hunters dispose of carcasses safely. The plan includes requirements to reduce contact between captive and wild deer. It strengthens responses to outbreaks and prevents them from occurring in the first place through increased inspections and enforcement for deer farms. The budget also supports efforts to halt the spread of aquatic invasive species and helps communities address emerald ash borer issues. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Environment and Natural Resources Budget”

Minnesota House Approves New Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a new Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing budget on a vote of 114-14. This legislation establishes a budget for the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI), the Housing Finance Agency, and broadband development.

“This is a budget that benefits all the varied aspects of agriculture and food production. I want to thank my fellow conferees from the House and Senate, as well as the members of our division in the House, for the bipartisan work we did to invest in the future of our farmers,” said Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), Chair of the Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division. “We’re funding new and emerging innovations that will benefit our agriculture and food economies, while also addressing our struggling farm communities. The investments in this budget protect agriculture and food production, deliver products to more people, and place Minnesota at the forefront of the industry.”

The lack of accessible mental health care and assistance for our rural communities has compounded the issues many of our farmers are currently facing. This budget includes a multi-pronged solution by investing in rural mental health, providing an additional staffer for the Minnesota Farm Advocates program, and funding mental health programming at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves New Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing”

Statement from Rep. Howard on the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – This morning, Minnesotans learned that despite bipartisan support in the House and Senate for the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, Senate Republicans refused to include the provision in the omnibus health and human services omnibus bill. Senator Benson blamed its omission on a clerical error. Nevertheless, Senate Republican Leadership refused to re-open negotiations to reach an agreement. Rep. Michael Howard (DFL-Richfield), author of Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act released the following statement:

“Alec Smith should have been celebrating his 28th birthday this week, but he died rationing his insulin because he couldn’t afford it. We have a responsibility as legislators to do everything in our power to make sure this never happens again. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans have shirked that responsibility and killed the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act this session.

“This is devastating news for Alec’s parents, Nicole Smith-Holt and James Holt, who have been fighting tirelessly to ensure no one suffers the same fate as their son, and to the thousands of Minnesotans who struggle to afford the insulin they need to survive. It is all the more devastating because there is no compelling reason why we shouldn’t have taken action and passed this bill.

“Senate Republicans passed a version of Alec’s Bill on a vote of 65-0 and the House had offered to accept a position substantially similar. Senate Republicans owe Minnesotans an explanation for why they would go out of their way to stop such an important, life-saving bill that had broad, bipartisan support.

 

“Minnesotans will not accept what is indefensible. We aren’t going anywhere. We will only get louder. We will only get stronger. And we won’t stop until every Minnesotan has access to the insulin they need to survive.”

Walz calls for special session Friday

Gov. Tim Walz has issued a proclamation calling for a special legislative session to begin at 10 a.m. Friday after reaching an agreement with House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-Nisswa).

The agreement calls for a one-day special session to pass the remaining budget bills needed to fund the state government during the upcoming biennium. The session is to adjourn before 7 a.m. Saturday, under the terms of arrangement.

“I am proud that we came together across party lines to build a budget that will improve the lives of Minnesotans,” Walz said in a release. “Now it’s our responsibility to take that budget across the finish line.” Continue reading “Walz calls for special session Friday”