Tag: House DFL

Minnesota House DFLers Celebrate the First Day of Summer

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House DFLers and fellow Minnesotans are celebrating the first day of summer. As another beautiful season begins here in Minnesota, Democrats are also celebrating the passage of legislation that will preserve our state’s natural resources and expand access to the great outdoors.

“Minnesota’s abundant natural resources contribute to our state’s vitality and quality of life,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “It’s our responsibility to preserve our clean air, land, and water for generations to come.”

Many Minnesotans will spend time swimming, fishing, or boating at one of our states’ many lakes this summer. House DFLers successfully fought to protect Minnesota’s lakes and rivers during the 2019 legislative session. The two-year state budget that legislators approved in late May makes historic investments to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species. Continue reading “Minnesota House DFLers Celebrate the First Day of Summer”

Minnesota House DFLers Celebrate PRIDE; Reaffirm Commitment to Conversion Therapy Ban Legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Heading into PRIDE weekend in the Twin Cities, House DFLers released the following statements in support of Minnesota’s LGBTQ community:

“All Minnesotans deserve to be safe and live with dignity, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “House DFLers will continue working to promote equality and inclusion in all areas of Minnesota law.”

“Republicans blocked a ban on gay conversion therapy this year, but DFLers will keep fighting to end this harmful practice,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We must continue working together to root out intolerance wherever we find it.”

“Conversion therapy is harmful, and has no place in legitimate healthcare in Minnesota,” said Representative Hunter Cantrell. “Despite the Senate stopping this extremely important bill last session, we will continue to work to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults so that only the highest standard of credible mental healthcare is offered to patients in Minnesota.”

Majority Leader Winkler and Rep. Cantrell will join advocates at a closed-press roundtable on banning conversion therapy and other issues affecting LGBTQ Minnesotans later today. A ban on gay conversion therapy passed 72-53 earlier this year as part of the House Health & Human Services Omnibus bill. The measure failed as an amendment in the Republican-led Senate.

 

Minnesota House Approves New Budget for Transportation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday, the Minnesota House approved a new Transportation budget.

“Senate Republicans blocked revenue to fund transportation projects, which would have delivered sustainable, dedicated and long-term funding to build a modern transportation system that people and employers are asking for,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), Chair of the House Transportation Finance Committee.

“This bill maintains the status quo in a time when transportation investments are desperately needed. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that transportation is about people. It’s about these workers and their families. It’s about Minnesotans getting to their jobs, school, and families safely and efficiently on modern roads and transit systems built for the 21st century. We have more work to do for the people of Minnesota.”

Republicans blocked any proposals to raise new constitutionally dedicated funding for our roads and bridges, and the needed funding for transit. As a result, Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure will continue to deteriorate. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as, “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.”

House Democrats fought for permanent, sustainable, on-going, and dedicated funding for transportation that meets the needs of a growing state. Strong investments in transit remain a priority for the House DFL, despite Republican’s firm opposition to any increased revenue for transportation.

The bill can be found here and the spreadsheet can be found here.

House Transportation Committee Announces New Public Hearing

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – A public hearing is taking place Thursday, May 23 at 9:00 AM in Room 200 at the State Office Building to provide an informational overview of the Special Session Omnibus transportation bill. Non-partisan staff will review the contents of the bill’s articles and corresponding spreadsheets.

The bill, spreadsheet, and summary are available on the committee’s website.

Members of the public are invited to provide public testimony. Contact Committee Administrator John Howe at john.howe@house.mn if you would like to testify.

Live video of the May 23 public hearing will be streamed online at http://bit.ly/houseTV2

House Jobs & Economic Development Division Announces Public Hearing

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division will hold an informational hearing on Thursday, May 23, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 10 of the State Office Building. Nonpartisan staff will review articles and spreadsheets of the Special Session Jobs & Energy budget bill. No official action will be taken.

The bill, spreadsheet, and summary will be posted on the committee’s website.

The meeting is open to the public, and anyone wishing to testify can contact Committee Administrator Travis Reese at travis.reese@house.mn.

House Environment and Natural Resources Division Announces Public Hearing

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – This evening, an informational public hearing is taking place at 9:00 PM or at the call of the chair in Room 5 of the State Office Building to provide an overview of the Special Session Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources bill. Nonpartisan staff will review the content of the bill’s articles and corresponding spreadsheets.

Click here to download a copy of the spreadsheet.

A copy of the bill will be available later and can be found here.

Members of the public are invited to provide testimony. Contact Committee Administrator Peter Strohmeier at peter.strohmeier@house.mn if you would like to testify (limited to two minutes per person).

Click here to stream live video of today’s public hearing or here to stream live audio.

Minnesota House Approves Legacy Amendment Appropriations

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House approved legislation to appropriate $630 million from Legacy Amendment funds. The legislation (HF 653) was introduced by Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL – North St. Paul) and passed 100 – 26.

“Minnesotans care about our state and cherish the things that make it such a special place to live,” said Rep. Lillie, Chair of the House Legacy Finance Division. “Thanks to their support, the Legacy Amendment has benefited communities across the state for a decade. Let’s build on that success and preserve our great outdoors and rich heritage for future generations.”

In 2008, Minnesotans voted in favor of adopting the Legacy Amendment. The constitutional amendment increased sales taxes by three-eighths of one percent for 25 years and divided the revenue between four funds. The Outdoor Heritage Fund and Clean Water Fund each receive 33 percent of the revenue. The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and Parks and Trails Fund receive 19.75 percent and 14.25 percent, respectively. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Legacy Amendment Appropriations”

Minnesota House Expected to Approve New Higher Education Budget

Cornerstone of House DFL proposal is two-year tuition freeze

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to approve a new higher education budget that would freeze tuition for two years at the state’s public colleges and universities. As a result, tens of thousands of individuals currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems will not pay one penny more in tuition.

A fact sheet with more information about the House DFL budget is available for download here. Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve New Higher Education Budget”

House Legacy Division Completes Budget Legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Yesterday, the House Legacy Finance Division, chaired by Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL – North St. Paul), finalized the committee’s omnibus finance bill (HF 653). The legislation passed through committee unanimously. The next stop for the bill is Ways and Means.

A spreadsheet of the bill’s contents can be found here.

“Minnesotans care about our state and cherish the things that make it such a special place to live,” said Rep. Lillie. “Despite being in the midst of a recession, voters overwhelmingly supported the adoption of the Legacy Amendment in 2008, and they’ve seen great returns on that investment in the past decade. This bill will continue the great work that’s been done across the state thanks to Legacy funds and preserve our state’s abundant natural resources and rich heritage for future generations of Minnesotans.” Continue reading “House Legacy Division Completes Budget Legislation”