Minnesota House 10 , CD3 DFL

Rep. Rena Moran to Chair House Ways and Means Committee

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced the appointment of Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul) as the next chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Moran expressed gratitude for the opportunity to chair the committee, which has broad jurisdiction over state budget matters.

“I’m deeply honored to enter this next step of my time in the Legislature, and thank Speaker Hortman for the tremendous opportunity,” Rep. Moran said. “My goal in chairing this committee will be to ensure our state budget is a true reflection of our values, and recognizes what Minnesotans need to get through this crisis of COVID-19 and racial injustices. It’s no secret people all over the state are going through challenges as a result of both. No matter how difficult the job will be, I’m looking forward to the work ahead to help Minnesotans emerge stronger.”

Upon receiving the gavel when the Legislature convenes in January, Rep. Moran will become the first person of color to chair the committee as well as the first African American woman.

Rep. Lee to chair House Capital Investment Committee Next Legislative Session

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA– Today, House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced the appointment of Rep. Fue Lee (DFL – Minneapolis) as the incoming chair of the House Capital Investment Committee for the upcoming legislative session. The committee is charged with developing legislation investing in public infrastructure improvements across the state.

“I’m grateful to Speaker Hortman for this opportunity to step into this new role and continue our work to deliver critical investments in infrastructure across our state,” Rep. Lee said. “Capital Investment bills are about more than numbers on a spreadsheet, or even the bricks and mortar; they are about strengthening communities. Through our work in this committee, we can help Minnesota emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic challenges by investing in our public infrastructure, creating good-paying job opportunities, and keeping a focus on equity and inclusion.”

Capital Investment bills – or bonding bills – fund improvements of public assets including higher education institutions, wastewater treatment plants, roads and bridges, transit, parks, trails, municipal buildings, and opportunities for economic growth within communities. The committee customarily tours the state to vet proposed projects. During the fall of 2019, the panel traveled more than 3,200 miles and visited 230 sites of potential projects.

Minnesota House Democrats call on President Trump, Senate Majority Leader McConnell to return to COVID negotiation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Tuesday, DFL members and members-elect of the Minnesota House of Representatives sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling on them to return to negotiations for COVID-19 economic relief legislation.

“The election is over. A record number of Americans expressed their voice through vote and the results are clear. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 global pandemic is far from over,” wrote the DFL legislators. “In Minnesota and across our country, the virus is surging and people are suffering. We urge you to return to the negotiating table to help people who are desperate for your leadership amidst a pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 2,700 Minnesotans and 200,000 Americans.”

The letter comes at a time when Minnesota is experiencing record-breaking cases of COVID-19, hospitals are under enormous strain, homelessness is increasing, Minnesotans are struggling to afford their rent, and small businesses continue to struggle in the midst of a global pandemic. All the while, a new COVID relief package has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and awaits action from the U.S. Senate.

Along with urging action on a new COVID relief package, legislators are requesting more flexibility to utilize resources allocated to state and local governments in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“The need for the pandemic response in Minnesota will continue well into 2021 and the lack of flexibility to continue using CARES Act funds for expenses beyond Dec. 30 will impede our response as we confront a significant state budget shortfall. We request that you approve an extension so that states like Minnesota can continue to utilize dollars approved in the CARES Act to combat the virus and help weather these economic storms.”

The letter and its 44 signatories can be found here.

House Climate Action Caucus introduces Climate Action Plan

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday of this week, the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus held a virtual public forum to introduce the Minnesota Climate Action Plan, a new science-based plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to ongoing climate change, and build resilience.

“Minnesotans are already facing impacts of climate change, and we are running out of time to prevent irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes to the state we cherish,” said Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL – Minnetonka), Chair of the House Climate Action Caucus. “We must take immediate action to protect our planet for generations to come. The Minnesota Climate Action Plan outlines the steps that will lead us to a thriving, carbon-free future, including a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This ambitious plan will help tackle the climate crisis and provide a bright future for all Minnesotans.”

The main goal of the Climate Action Plan is a 45 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which would put Minnesota on the path to be carbon-free by 2050. In addition, the plan aims to help communities adapt to changes that are already occurring and build climate resilience across the state.

Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice discusses economic impact of systemic racism, concludes weekly series of hearings

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Members of the Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice met today for a hearing devoted to the economic impact of systemic racism. Minnesotans can watch video of the entire conversation here beginning later today.

“Systemic racism is expensive and it leads to a less prosperous country and a less prosperous Minnesota,” said committee co-chair Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights). “Through a series of weekly hearings, we’ve set the groundwork for compiling bold recommendations and I’m grateful to everyone who participated in the process thus far, especially those closest to the real pain associated with these issues.”

Legislators began the meeting by watching an excerpt of the tpt documentary “Jim Crow of the North” followed by a presentation and Q&A withDr. Bruce Corrie of Concordia St. Paul. Committee members also received a new report published September 2020 entitled “Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps: The Economic Cost of Black Inequality in the U.S.” The report, led by Citi, found that failure to address racial gaps between Blacks and whites in areas that include wages, housing, education, and business investment has cost the U.S. economy $16 trillion and 6.1 million jobs over the last 20 years.

“There is a cost associated with Economic racism. Minnesota continues to experience unacceptable economic disparities which impact employment, entrepreneurship, starting a small business or promoting fair living practices,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), co-chair of the Select Committee. “We all must come together to work with diverse communities and the public and private sectors as a solution to eliminate disparities and create pathways for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color so that every Minnesotan can live up to their fullest potential.”

Today marked the final in a series of weekly hearings that began on September 22, 2020. Public comments and recommendations are still being accepted by the committee through Sunday, October 27, 2020. The focus will now turn to compiling a set of recommendations based on the expert testimony, public comments, and information gathered over the course of five hearings in order to put forth a slate of recommendations to be considered by the committee.

“It’s clear that inequities are holding back Minnesotans of color and hurting our state,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to work together to eliminate these gaps and ensure all Minnesotans can build the futures they want for themselves and their families, no exceptions.”

The Select Committee on Racial Justice was established as part of a July 11 Minnesota House resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. A list of select committee members is available here. Minnesotans can submit public comments and recommendations through October 27, 2020 by contacting committee administrator Laura Taken-Holtze at Laura.Taken-Holtze@house.mn.

House Education Finance Chair introduces bill to protect school funding amid declining enrollments

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – House Education Finance Chair Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced legislation this week that stabilizes school funding as COVID-19 creates uncertainty for students, families, and schools. It does this by authorizing the use of the prior year’s pupil count for the 2020-2021 school year funding formulas.

“School districts around the state are experiencing an unprecedented variation in their enrollment numbers due to the pandemic,” said Chair Davnie. “Our schools are our community safety nets – they ensure that students are prepared for a successful future through meeting their needs as they grow and develop. In order to deliver on that healthy future, the legislature needs to provide school districts with as much support as possible right now and this bill will help do that.”

Rep. Davnie’s legislation would add temporary stability to districts’ bottom lines to keep supports flowing to students and would ensure districts can maintain current programs and current staffing levels.

“We are down 216 students to home school and 20 more to post-secondary enrollment options (PSEO) than in a normal year,” said Menahga School Board Chair Andrea Haverinen. “This will equate to a $2.5 million loss in revenue on a $11.5 million budget and is nearly a 22% loss in revenue for Menahga. If we are forced to go to all distance learning, we anticipate these numbers will nearly double. Menahga’s enrollment has been rising in the past years, and this is the first year in many that our numbers have declined.”

Legislators reconvened for a fifth special session on Monday. Rep. Davnie’s legislation awaits a remote public committee hearing.

Rep. Ecklund statement on Veterans Restorative Justice Act

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division, issued the following statement regarding the Veterans Restorative Justice Act:

“Today, we had the opportunity to come together – as Democrats and Republicans – to help our military veterans, who have admirably served our country, but who have made mistakes during rough patches after returning home. Often, these mistakes can be directly tied to trauma they experienced during their service. The Veterans Restorative Justice Act would help change this. The bill would create alternative sentencing options for veterans who commit crimes under a certain severity threshold with service-connected trauma, substance abuse, or mental health conditions.

“The advocates who worked on this bill made it clear: they want us to pass a clean bill, and I feel that’s what we owe them. But in preparation for us to consider the legislation on the House Floor today, Republicans prepared numerous amendments in an effort to stop the bill, despite many months of bipartisan consensus. Only one thing appears to have changed: we are now less than three weeks away from a general election.

Minnesota House approves major jobs legislation to jumpstart economy

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — With 100 votes, Minnesota House lawmakers today approved legislation that will create and protect tens of thousands of jobs. The nearly $2 billion package would be a major boon to Minnesota’s economy at a time when the unemployment rate is stuck at historically high levels due to the pandemic. House Republicans previously blocked passage of similar jobs bills in May and July.

“We listened to Minnesotans who have been asking for our help,” said House Capital Investment Chair Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown). “This economic stimulus bill connects Minnesotans to other Minnesotans, addresses critical public infrastructure needs across the state, and will create thousands of jobs at a time when they are sorely needed. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this important jobs and local projects and economic development package.”

According to the most recent data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate stands at 7.9% and job gains were lower than expected in September. The US economy is still 11 million jobs short of pre-pandemic levels.

House Select Committee on Racial Justice explores Adverse Childhood Experiences

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – In its second meeting today, the Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and how trauma and adversity intersect with racism and inequities. The committee learned about how parents, families, and communities often encounter adverse experiences and environments, which affect child development and often present other negative lifelong impacts.

“Every child deserves a healthy, prosperous future, but many of the adverse experiences they face are directly due to inequitable environments that have flourished for generations,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), co-chair of the committee. “We must all work together to invest in community resiliency as part of our broader goals to break down racist structures and eliminate inequities.”

Adverse childhood experiences – which lead to poor health and economic outcomes – can be traced to institutional racism. For example, childhood trauma such as abuse and neglect or parental substance abuse often occur within inequitable community environments such as those with high concentrations of poverty, violence, or poor housing conditions. The result of long-standing public policies, including inequitable education funding, criminal justice enforcement and incarceration, and discriminatory lending practices can explain the racial and economic disparities we still see today.

Rep. Heather Edelson Appointed to New Select Committee on Racial Justice; First Meeting Tomorrow at 1:00 PM

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Representative Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina), vice-chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division, has been appointed to a new Select Committee on Racial Justice. The first meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22 at 1pm. Live video will be available at www.house.mn/live/1.

The agenda features a presentation called “What is racism?” led by Camara Phyllis Jones, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., followed by a presentation about maternal-child health mortality and morbidity led by Rachel Hardeman, Ph.D., M.P.H. A list of select committee members is available here.

What: New Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice meets for the first time
When: Tuesday, September 22 at 1:00 pm

Who:

Rep. Heather Edelson, Select committee members
Camara Phyllis Jones, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D.
Rachel Hardeman, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Watch: Minnesota House website at www.house.mn/live/1 or Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/MNHouseInfo

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