Tag: House DFL

Statement from Rep. Hornstein on Passage of ‘Hands Free’ Conference Committee Report

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives today passed the final, compromise ‘hands free’ bill after differences were reconciled with the Minnesota Senate. Notable differences include removal of the House provision that would enact a traffic stop demographics study and removal of the Senate provision to allow head scarves, hijabs and other headwear as an allowable mechanism to achieve hands free mode.

Representative Frank Hornstein, chief author of the bill and the Chair of the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee released the following statement:

“With distracted driving fatalities continually on the rise, Minnesotans deserve common sense safety measures to combat these preventable tragedies. I’m glad we could pass this long overdue bill in a bipartisan fashion to help make our roadways safer for everyone.” 

The Governor is expected to promptly sign the conference committee report this week, making Minnesota the 18thstate to require a ‘hands free’ device while driving.

Minnesota House of Representatives expected to pass Driver’s Licenses for All legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives is set to vote on and expected to pass HF 1500, the Driver’s Licenses for All legislation. The bill, authored by House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, has bipartisan support and would ensure all Minnesotans can obtain a driver’s license, regardless of their immigration status.

“Immigrants come here for the promise of freedom and opportunity, and they contribute to the culture, economy, and community of our state. They are bold, brave, and hard working; and they are exactly the Americans we need,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “All Minnesotans deserve to be able to work, live and take care of their families. Ensuring everyone has access to driver’s licenses will improve public safety for everyone, grow the state economy, and treat our immigrant communities with dignity and respect.”

“Denying immigrants the right to a driver’s license means we’re denying people living in our communities access to jobs and opportunity, endangering public safety, and criminalizing families’ efforts to participate in civic life,” added state Representative Aisha Gomez (DFL – Minneapolis). “That’s destructive for families, for businesses, and for Minnesota. It’s time to make our roads safer, and to reject a politics that would divide people living side by side as neighbors.” Continue reading “Minnesota House of Representatives expected to pass Driver’s Licenses for All legislation”

House Energy and Climate Division Approves Budget Bill

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Yesterday the Minnesota House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division, chaired by Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL – Minneapolis), approved an omnibus budget bill. The finance bill (HF 1986) passed yesterday and the omnibus policy bill (HF 1833) that the committee approved last week include practical initiatives that will help Minnesotans adapt to the changes that are coming due to climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions to prevent further consequences.

“Minnesotans know climate change is a threat to our state,” said Rep. Wagenius. “We’re already experiencing profound impacts, and scientists have told us that we need to sharply reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the next dozen years to head off the most catastrophic consequences. This legislation is our first step in ensuring we give young Minnesotans the future they want and we want for them.”

Transitioning to 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050 is part of the legislation. The bills would reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the use of clean energy alternatives while ensuring that electricity is reliable and affordable during and after the transition. The bills also provide new opportunities for utility customers to conserve energy and switch from fossil fuels to cleaner electricity. Continue reading “House Energy and Climate Division Approves Budget Bill”

House Jobs and Economic Development Committee Completes Finance Legislation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division, chaired by Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL – St. Paul), finalized the committee’s omnibus finance bill (HF 2208). The legislation passed through committee on a vote of 10 to 4.

“Our committee worked diligently to make sure we crafted a finance bill that helps working Minnesotans,” said Rep. Mahoney. “This bill protects wages, ensures employees have time to care for their families and themselves, invests in struggling or innovative industries, and supports and trains our workers. I look forward to taking this bill to the House floor and into conference with our colleagues in the Senate.”

Highlights of the bill include several pieces of legislation that the House DFL identified as top priorities at the start of this legislative session. The Paid Family Leave Act (HF 5) and Earned Sick and Safe Time (HF 11) are included in this bill. Together, both bills ensure that Minnesotans are allowed time off work to care not only for their children and other members of their family, but also themselves. Continue reading “House Jobs and Economic Development Committee Completes Finance Legislation”

House approves Rep. Moran bill providing pathway to reestablishment of parent/child relationships

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Thursday, the Minnesota House unanimously approved HF 554, a bill authored by Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), that allows parents, who had previously had their parental rights terminated for non-egregious harm, to directly seek reestablishment of these rights from the courts. Currently, only a county attorney is able to make this petition.

“We all share the value that families belong together and believe that children are to be protected, loved, and nurtured,” Rep. Moran said. “Sometimes though, the policies that drive our child welfare system don’t reflect what’s in the best interest of a child. This bill would allow a parent, if a court determines it’s in the child’s best interest and the parent has their life back on track, to reestablish their parental rights. This will ultimately help children reach their full potential.”

These petitions would only be allowed in cases in which the rights were terminated for non-egregious harm, such as chemical dependency or mental illness, and not for physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. Continue reading “House approves Rep. Moran bill providing pathway to reestablishment of parent/child relationships”

House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Approves Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Today the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division approved their omnibus budget bill (HF 2209). The legislation includes $32.5 million in new funding to protect, restore, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources.

“Minnesotans cherish our public lands, clean water, and fresh air,” said the committee’s chair, Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul). “They expect us to protect our environment and the fish and wildlife that inhabit it so future generations can enjoy Minnesota’s abundant resources. This is a problem-solving bill that will address long-term issues and ensure that Minnesota remains a special place to live for years to come.”

Protecting Minnesota’s natural resources was a priority for the committee this session. To that end, the bill includes measures to strengthen protections for fish and wildlife and improve public waters, forests, parks, and trails. It also reduces the use of toxic chemicals and other pollutants that contaminate air, water, and soil and cause increased health risks.

Some highlights in the environment and natural resources budget include: Continue reading “House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Approves Budget”

House DFL to add gun violence prevention measures to Public Safety omnibus bill

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House DFLers intend to amend the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Omnibus bill to include criminal background checks and extreme risk protection orders. Speaker Melissa Hortman and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“Minnesotans have demanded that lawmakers address gun violence prevention. House DFLers will fight until the last minute of session to make progress,” said Speaker Hortman. “The Senate cannot kill gun violence prevention by refusing to hear the bills in committee or refusing to take action on the Senate floor. We are bringing gun violence prevention measures to the negotiating table. Minnesotans have demanded action and the Minnesota House DFL is their ally in this fight.”

“The Minnesota House of Representatives will pass gun violence prevention legislation this session,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Senate Republicans can play games if they want, but they should be honest with Minnesotans — you either support the bills or you don’t. Minnesotans deserve honest, open debate, not hiding behind legislative process games.”

House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education

Two-year tuition freeze is cornerstone of Democrats’ new budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee today announced a new budget that puts students first by making college more affordable, reducing debt, and improving health and safety on campus. According to the U.S. Department of Education, there are 775,000 Minnesotans with student debt totaling $27.1 billion.

A fact sheet with more information about the budget is available for download here (this version includes corrected information about average benefit increases for full-time students enrolled in the state grant program).

Minnesotans from all backgrounds deserve a fair shot at earning a quality post-secondary education,” said Chair Bernardy. “The House DFL Higher Education budget eases the financial burden on working families and students, expands eligibility for grants, and will fill gaps in Minnesota’s workforce shortage.”

The budget freezes tuition for Minnesota students at all of the state’s two- and four-year public colleges and universities, and increases financial support for working families by investing an additional $35.4 million in the state grant program. As a result, full-time students who benefit from the state grant program will receive on average more than $400 per year more in financial assistance, and 1,900 more Minnesotans will become eligible for the first time. Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education”

Legislators and coalition members to hold press conference ahead of House floor vote on Driver’s Licenses for

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 5th, House Majority Leader Ryan Winker, Speaker Melissa Hortman, a bipartisan group of legislators, and the Freedom to Drive coalition will hold a press conference ahead of the House vote for Driver’s Licenses for All. The statewide, multi-organization coalition and bipartisan group of legislators have been working to pass a law this session allowing all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver’s licenses.

Who:

  • House Majority Leader Winkler
  • Speaker Hortman
  • Rep. Aisha Gomez
  • Rep. Rod Hamilton
  • Freedom to Drive coalition members, religious leaders
  • representatives from the business community, and law enforcement

What: Press conference ahead of House floor vote for Driver’s Licenses for All

When: 10:45 AM, Friday April 5th, 2019

Where: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155