Tag: Minnesota House

Nearly $2 billion bonding bill heads for House Floor, but prospects for passage uncertain

One of 2020’s top legislative priorities for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle has once again reached the House Floor as the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday passed a $1.8 billion bonding bill that also includes many of this year’s most significant tax provisions.

But whether that bill has enough votes to pass the full body remains an open question despite a potential agreement between House DFLers and Senate Republicans that had been negotiated before the start of the Legislature’s second special session, which began Monday.

Sponsored by Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown), SSHF3, as modified by a delete-all amendment, would fund hundreds of public construction projects around Minnesota, provide tax relief for small businesses and farmers, and provide a much-needed boost to the state’s economy, according to supporters. Continue reading.

Minnesota House Advances Resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota House of Representatives committee yesterday advanced a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, with a final vote on the House floor likely to occur Monday, July 20. Click here to download a copy.

Authored by Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), the declaration applies to the entire state and affirms that the Minnesota House will be an active participant in the dismantling of racism. It creates a House Select Committee on Minnesota’s response tasked with analyzing legislative work through an intersectional race equity lens.

“Black, Indigenous, and people of color have known for generations that the systems in this country were designed to exclude them,” said Rep. Richardson. “The devastation we are seeing in our communities today is the result of those systems playing out for hundreds of years.” 

The resolution states that racism is embedded in the foundation of America, beginning with chattel slavery​ in 1619, and that much of the Black experience in America has been endured under slavery and​ Jim Crow, which created preferential opportunities for white people while subjecting people of​ color to hardships and disadvantages in every area of life.

“The Minnesota House as an institution can and should play an active role in dismantling systems that have denied dignity, respect, and compassion to so many,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “Our nation is facing a historic moment and the Minnesota House plans to be on the side of justice and human rights.” 

Video of today’s Rules Committee discussion of the resolution will soon be available here.

 

Minnesota House DFL Releases Jobs & Local Projects and Critical Economic Development Legislation

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Yesterday, the House DFL released a Jobs and Local Projects — also known as bonding — and tax proposal. The critically-needed economic development legislation contains $1.8 billion in public safety and health renovations, repairs, and replacement of public assets like higher education institutions, clean water infrastructure, correctional facilities, roads and bridges, parks and trails, municipal buildings and more. The bill would create approximately 27,540 jobs according to a revised 2015 model from the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

A copy of the proposal can be found here. A spreadsheet of the projects included is available here. The bill will receive a public remote hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

“Many of the projects contained in this proposal today are the direct results of what we saw and heard on our statewide tours,” said Chair Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown). “We are responding to the emergencies of today, and I’m hopeful we can deliver more sorely needed investments in a future session to prepare us for the needs of tomorrow.” Continue reading “Minnesota House DFL Releases Jobs & Local Projects and Critical Economic Development Legislation”

At Maple Grove forum, lawmakers discuss commitment to police accountability and reform At Maple Grove forum, lawmakers discuss commitment to police accountability and reform

House DFL logoMAPLE GROVE, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division hosted a public forum in Maple Grove Wednesday, July 1 with legislators and the community to discuss police accountability legislation. Legislators – including members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus – and community members alike demanded focus at the State Capitol remain on eliminating systemic racism and re-imagining public safety.

“What George Floyd experienced – and what people across the world witnessed – was an urgent call to action that our status quo vision of policing no longer works,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the POCI Caucus. “The work to deliver racial justice and police accountability isn’t easy, but Minnesotans – especially from Black, Indigenous and communities of color – deserve to see results from the Legislature. It’s time for Senate Republicans to meet us in this moment and work with us to advance these meaningful changes.”

“Minnesotans can’t wait any longer for the structural changes necessary to ensure everyone, no matter where they live or what they might look like, can be safe in their communities,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division. “This is an issue of the utmost urgency throughout our state, and it’s time to make real progress on real reforms.”

Today’s forum followed a recent special session during which the House passed the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020, legislation developed following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. The bill is a comprehensive package of reforms to hold law enforcement accountable, reclaim community oversight, and re-imagine public safety.

Instead of working with the POCI Caucus and House DFLers to reach a resolution on urgently needed reforms, the Senate – with Republicans in the Majority – walked away by adjourning the June 2020 special session. The Senate Judiciary Committee is chaired by Sen. Warren Limmer (R – Maple Grove). Over the course of the current biennium, he held no public hearings about strong criminal justice reform solutions, despite many of them carrying bipartisan support.

Governor Tim Walz is expected to call another special session as soon as next week.

House DFL’s PROMISE Act gets warm reception at Lake Street public forum

House DFL logoMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — State lawmakers hosted a public forum about the Promise Act at a Lake Street business today. The House DFL’s comprehensive rebuilding and recovery plan for Lake, Midway, and Broadway is inspired by the Minnesotans who built, sustain, and live around these vibrant corridors. “Promise” stands for Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs.

Full video of the event is available here:

https://www.facebook.com/mnhousedfl/videos/601770510753986/?vh=e&d=n

This month, state lawmakers participated in tours of businesses and neighborhoods led by people most impacted by the civil unrest that followed George Floyd’s murder. The Promise Act is informed and guided by what lawmakers heard and saw during these tours. According to public records, more than 1,500 buildings were destroyed or damaged.

“The Promise Act is a promise we are making to the neighborhoods most impacted by civil unrest after a police officer murdered George Floyd,” said Rep. Mohamud Noor, the bill’s chief author. “It’s a promise to have the backs of people of color, and indigenous and immigrant-owned businesses built from the ground up. It’s a promise to choose vibrancy and culture over gentrified redevelopment as we rebuild. It’s a promise to make sure the people who live and work in these special corridors are the ones who get to decide what their future looks like.”

The Promise Act establishes a commission to review the actions, choices, orders, and responses of local government, police and military authorities, and elected officials involved in the response to the civil unrest that occurred during May and June of 2020. The 10-member panel would be appointed by Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea. The Republican-controlled Senate has launched a partisan probe without input or involvement of DFL lawmakers, including members of the People of Color and Indiginous (POCI) Caucus.

“These impacted communities and businesses are the economic and cultural centers of our cities, and we have to help them in a way that promotes equity and prevents gentrification,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We have seen and heard from so many people and so many businesses devastated by damage caused during the civil unrest. The extensive loss in these communities requires us to take urgent action and deliver results.”

The Legislature is expected to convene for a new special session in July, the next opportunity to pass legislation like the Promise Act and police accountability.

 

Minnesota House POCI Caucus responds to Sen. Gazelka’s announcement of “oversight hearings” about recent unrest

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus in the Minnesota Legislature issued the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka’s Thursday morning press conference:

“If oversight of law enforcement is the goal, Senate Republicans must quickly join the POCI Caucus to advance real criminal justice reforms. Why – five days after Senate Republicans walked away from this serious work – hasn’t Senator Gazelka yet responded to the House’s counteroffer during the special session to meet demands of the people for police accountability?

“There will be time to address the civil unrest that occurred in the days following George Floyd’s senseless killing, but the work to enact transformative, systemic changes within law enforcement is urgent, and Black, Indigenous, and communities of color can’t wait any longer for change. Senate Republicans have a duty to resume these critical discussions right now, or status quo systems that have failed Minnesotans for generations will continue to prevail.”

Today marks the one month anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.

The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Mary Kunesh-Podein (41B), Fue Lee (59A), Alice Mann (56B), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), Samantha Vang (40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Sens. Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Jeff Hayden (62), Bobby Joe Champion (59), and Patricia Torres Ray (63).

 

Minnesota House Advances Education Policy Bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Friday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved new legislation to help Minnesota’s students and young learners. Among other provisions, the bill provides for mental health training for teachers, vaping-prevention instruction for students, and expanded access to alternative academic and behavioral support services.

“Our bill would create a safer climate for our students, and help ease burdens on our school administration and staff,” said House Education Policy Committee Chair Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins). “While I am happy we passed these provisions, we still have so much more work to do for our students to make sure that school is a welcoming environment for everyone.”

The bill also includes a groundbreaking provision authored by Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights) limiting the circumstances under which schools can suspend or expel prekindergarten children. Continue reading “Minnesota House Advances Education Policy Bill”

Minnesota Democrats press Republicans to negotiate police reform pact

Republicans who control Minnesota Senate say they’ll adjourn special session Friday night

Democratic leaders in the Legislature on Friday openly pleaded with Republicans to stay an the Capitol and work out a deal on police reform that has eluded them over a weeklong special session.

Republicans who control the state Senate have signaled that they plan to adjourn Friday night or early Saturday, with or without agreement on new law enforcement initiatives.

“If we could just stay a few more days, we could get some amazing things done,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park. Continue reading.

Minnesota House passes PROMISE Act to help neighborhoods recover and rebuild

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the PROMISE Act — a comprehensive plan to help businesses rebuild and recover, many of which are Black, immigrant, and communities of color-owned.

PROMISE stands for Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs. The PROMISE Act is inspired by what many saw and heard from community members and business owners during tours of property damage in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The legislation includes $167 million in direct assistance to small businesses as well as $125 million to compensate individuals and businesses for uninsured property loss.

“The Promise Act is a promise we are making to the neighborhoods most impacted by civil unrest after a police officer murdered George Floyd,” said Rep. Mohamud Noor, the bill’s chief author. “It’s a promise to have the backs of people of color, and indigenous and immigrant-owned businesses built from the ground up. It’s a promise to choose vibrancy and culture over gentrified redevelopment as we rebuild. It’s a promise to make sure the people who live and work in these special corridors are the ones who get to decide what their future looks like.” 

“We must take immediate action to support and rebuild our wounded communities. The Promise Act will support our communities in an equitable and holistic way so we can rebuild for and by the community,” said Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL – Minneapolis). “These commercial hubs are the lifeblood of our minority and immigrant communities. By rebuilding with an intentional focus on equity we can avoid the devastating effects of gentrification.” 

The legislation would:

  • Create a special panel to review cases and provide direct compensation to impacted individuals.
  • Partner with cities and community organizations to create economic relief programs for impacted businesses and organizations.
  • Give local units of government flexibility and tools to prevent gentrification.
  • Direct the Minnesota Department of Commerce to assist business owners, and require insurance companies to notify the department of any rejected claims.
  • Help with the rising cost of leases for eligible residential and commercial properties.
  • Eliminate the sales tax on the purchase of construction materials used to rebuild damaged or destroyed properties.
  • Provide property and sales tax cuts for eligible properties.
  • Establish a “Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Corporation” to create a long-term plan for equity-driven redevelopment and transformation.

“We need to make sure that Lake Street stays Lake Street, that Midway stays Midway, and that Broadway stays Broadway,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “These are strong economic and cultural centers of our cities, and we have to help them in a way that promotes equity and prevents gentrification. Minnesotans expect to see growth and rebirth in a better way, led by the Black and Brown Minnesotans who built these special, vibrant places.” 

 

“Our communities and these businesses, many of them minority-owned and already struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, need resources to rebuild,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Promise Act is a comprehensive plan to help those impacted that puts equity at the center of our recovery efforts. The Legislature must move quickly to help these communities recover.”

 

Minnesota House passes CARES Act funding for local government and critical investments in Minnesotans

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill to provide $841 million in federal CARES Act funding to Minnesota’s cities, counties, and towns, and make new investments in the people of Minnesota. Cities would receive $350 million in aid, counties would receive $467 million, and towns would receive $24 million.

“These resources are needed by our local units of governments and the people they serve, which include small businesses, workers, families, senior citizens, veterans, law enforcement, first responders, people with disabilities, and others who need our help,” said Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), the bill’s chief author. “We know the COVID-19 pandemic has left no stone unturned in harming our health, economy, and way of life. This legislation helps cover the huge cost of providing local services that have saved lives and are allowing Minnesota to safely and gradually reopen.”
In addition to direct aid to local governments, the bill includes $30 million in one-time grants to help cities, counties, and towns that are COVID-19 hotspots.

In general, the federal dollars can be used for items that are a direct response to COVID-19, but cannot be used to cover a decline in revenue for a city, town or county. Counties are required to use at least 10 percent of their funding for a) emergency financial assistance for individuals (including help with overdue rent), and b) economic support for businesses (including assistance to those that closed voluntarily because of COVID). The legislation specifies that cities and towns must spend all of their aid by Nov. 15, 2020. Unexpended amounts must be sent to the home counties of these cities and towns. Counties must spend all their money by Dec. 1, 2020 and return unexpended funds to the Dept. of Revenue.
SF 47 also includes critically needed investments in Minnesota and Minnesotans. These include the following:

  • $21 million for increased compensation for personal care assistants (PCAs)
  • One-time assistance for low-income families in the Minnesota Family Investment Program
  • More than $38 million for continuity of service in Direct Care & Treatment programs.
  • Funding in for child care assistance necessary to bring MN into federal compliance
  • $18.5 million for overtime staffing for correctional officers
  • Nearly $9 million to reimburse counties for federal funding that was rejected regarding care provided by counties at institutions for mental illness.
  • Nearly $29 million to help the Leech Lake and White Earth bands repay overpayments they received from the federal government under Medical Assistance (MA)
  • $6 million for the Minnesota Zoo
  • $3.1 million to BCA to test and manage sexual assault examination kits, eliminate backlog
  • $4.1 million for suicide prevention and housing assistance for veterans

“Our local governments have responded to COVID-19, keeping Minnesotans safe. This federal funding will help ensure they can continue to provide the services Minnesotans expect and deserve as we continue to contend with the pandemic and its impacts,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “In addition to funding local governments, this bill includes temporary increases in wages for personal care assistants who care for vulnerable Minnesotans, will help prevent veteran suicides and homelessness, ensures untested rape kits get tested, and ensures we comply with federal law so we can access additional federal resources for child care.We can’t do half the job and call it done.”

“Our communities, our state, and Minnesotans need these investments in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We have to move quickly and deliver for Minnesotans, and we hope Senate Republicans will join us.”

The legislation now goes back to the Senate, which can concur with the House amendments or refuse to accept the House changes and send the bill to a conference committee.