Tag: Minnesota House

Minnesota House Approves New Transportation Measures to Help Minnesotans Through and Beyond COVID-19

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a new bill to help Minnesotans further adapt to the challenges of COVID-19. These measures provide additional safety to students, an expansion of driver’s license expiration, and new reporting requirements to account for the state’s share of federal CARES Act allocation.

“The bipartisan House and Senate transportation bill contains important new school bus safety provisions and will make it easier for Minnesotans to extend expired driver’s licenses during this public health crisis,” said House Transportation Finance and Policy Chair Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis).

Previous COVID-19 response legislation included the extension of any non-commercial driver’s licenses set to expire either during the peacetime emergency or the month in which it ends. A new provision in the bill expands the driver’s license expiration extension to also include licenses that expire in the month immediately following the end of the peacetime emergency. Like previous extensions, individuals would have until the end of the second month after the month in which the emergency ends to renew their license. A key provision the bill would waive the requirement to take a new photograph and complete a vision test if an applicant’s name, address, signature, or driver’s license number hasn’t changed, and they aren’t seeking a REAL ID or enhanced driver’s license. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves New Transportation Measures to Help Minnesotans Through and Beyond COVID-19”

Governor Walz Signs Tobacco 21 Legislation into Law

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Governor Walz signed into law legislation that raises the age for Minnesotans to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, electronic delivery devices, and other nicotine products, to 21.

“Adopting statewide Tobacco 21 is urgently needed to provide clarity, accountability, and to make it easier for our state and local partners to help in standing up to Big Tobacco for our youth,” said Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL-Edina), the House chief author of the bill.

In December of 2019, Tobacco 21 became federal law, which meant the minimum age required to legally purchase tobacco products increased from 18 to 21 for the entire country. At the time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed retailers to immediately implement the change. Some retailers, however, have expressed confusion and insisted they will not comply until they see the change made at the state level.

The initiative has a strong bipartisan coalition of support among health care professionals, ClearWay Minnesota, youth organizations, and several Minnesota cities who have already enacted Tobacco 21 locally.

Minnesota House to vote on Jobs and Local Projects Bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Saturday, the Minnesota House of Representatives will vote on a Jobs and Local Projects Bill. The bill requires a three-fifths majority — 81 votes — to pass.

“All Minnesotans deserve safe and inclusive communities,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Updating our aging infrastructure will help our people, communities, and businesses make it through the COVID-19 crisis and provide jobs with wages and benefits that can support a family. Minnesota needs these investments now more than ever.”

“We know that people are hurting from the impact of COVID-19, and we have an opportunity to help in a way that safely creates statewide economic activity,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “Investing in jobs and local projects now will quicken our economic recovery and help Minnesotans thrive for generations. Republicans need to join us in passing a robust jobs and local projects bill.” Continue reading “Minnesota House to vote on Jobs and Local Projects Bill”

Minnesota House passes Rep. Moran’s ‘CROWN Act’ prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyle

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, authored by Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), which would add a provision to the Minnesota Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of hair appearance and texture.

“The CROWN Act will empower future generations to not be ashamed of how their hair looks or worry about what people in powerful positions might think of it, but instead give them the opportunity to fully embrace their heritage,” Rep. Moran said. “All Black Minnesotans should be proud of their heritage, which is reflected in their natural hairstyles. No one should be forced to change their natural hair just to conform to antiquated norms and standards, or unjust policies at school or work. The CROWN Act will end this in our state, and I’m grateful for the support of community members who helped this legislation get passed today.”

While the state’s Human Rights Act already prohibits discrimination based on race, discrimination of someone wearing their hair in a culturally-appropriate manner – like braids, dreadlocks, or twists – is not. The CROWN Act would extend this protection to many areas of law covered by the Minnesota Human Rights Act, including public services and accommodations, education, housing and employment. Continue reading “Minnesota House passes Rep. Moran’s ‘CROWN Act’ prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyle”

Representatives Hassan, Noor, and Majority Leader Winkler to host Iftar over Zoom on May 20

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — State Representatives Hodan Hassan, Mohamud Noor, and House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler will hold an Iftar over Zoom on Wednesday, May 20 at 8:30 pm.

The event will include an explanation of the meaning of Ramadan, showcase Muslim organizations that continue to do amazing work for Minnesotans of all ages in spite of the circumstances, and breaking the daily fast together. Attendees will have the option of showcasing their meal.

“Ramadan is the month of spiritual gains and family togetherness,” said Rep. Hassan. “We normally spend this month with family, friends, and neighbors to break bread with and to come together as one community. Because of Covid-19 we can’t physically get together, but we can connect virtually to continue the tradition of togetherness.” Continue reading “Representatives Hassan, Noor, and Majority Leader Winkler to host Iftar over Zoom on May 20”

House Ways and Means Committee Passes Bill Granting $50 Million to Emergency Community Relief Grant Program

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — This afternoon, the House Ways and Means Committee passed HF 4611. The bill, authored in the House by State Representative Aisha Gomez (DFL- Minneapolis) and in the Senate by Senator Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina), creates an emergency community relief grant program that is designed to help individuals who have been harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. The bill is designed to aid those who have slipped through the cracks of other aid programs, and has broad support from over 70 community organizations.

“Even though there have been a number of aid programs to help Minnesotans who have been impacted by COVID-19, there are far too many people in our communities who don’t have a safety net,” said Rep. Gomez. “This bill recognizes that workers who are undocumented, earn their income from tips, or are considered other ‘non-traditional’ workers, are a critical part of our communities. These workers have been equally impacted by the pandemic, yet their plight has been largely ignored and government aid has been extremely limited. It is critical that we stick to our values and stand by the most vulnerable during this crisis.” Continue reading “House Ways and Means Committee Passes Bill Granting $50 Million to Emergency Community Relief Grant Program”

Minnesota House committee advances $600 million in new financial aid for cities, counties, townships

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA —  Today the Minnesota House of Representatives Ways and Means committee approved a bill to provide more than $600 million in new aid for cities, counties, and townships. The proposal, authored by Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), is paid for using federal CARES Act resources distributed to states.

“This proposal will help our counties, cities, and townships cover the huge costs of providing essential services due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Marquart. “This provides the needed funding for the great work our police officers, firefighters, first responders, nurses, and other local heroes are doing every day to save lives and provide a safety net in our communities.”

According to Rep. Marquart, local governments could use the new resources to pay for medical expenses, testing, tracing, and facilitating compliance with COVID-related directives. In addition, funds could also be used to provide workers’ compensation, address homelessness, facilitate the disposal of farm animals, and assist businesses with interruptions due to COVID-19.

A copy of the bill is available here. A video of Rep. Marquart’s presentation of the bill and Q&A is available here. The entire Minnesota House is expected to approve the bill in the coming days. The 2020 legislative session adjourns Monday, May 18, 2020.

 

Minnesota House Leadership Statement on Transit Safety Provisions in the Transportation Policy Bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On May 14, the Minnesota House of Representatives tabled a transportation policy bill that included transit safety provisions. House Speaker Melissa Hortman, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, and Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee) released the following statements:

“Transit safety is important to Minnesotans, and we remain committed to addressing this issue,” said Speaker Hortman. “When we placed the bill on the calendar for today, we believed there was an agreement with Republicans on language to address this issue. We are continuing to work to reach an agreement so this provision will become law.”

“The Minnesota House fully intends to take up transit safety legislation,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “As we near the end of the Legislative Session, we are prioritizing areas where we can reach agreement with the Senate and get critical work done for Minnesotans — including transportation investments and transit safety.”

“This is the time to pass transit safety measures so that when the COVID pandemic ends, Minnesotans will come back to a transit system that is more safe and secure,” said Rep. Brad Tabke. “I remain hopeful we can reach a bipartisan agreement to pass legislation before the end of session to benefit both suburban and metro riders.”

 

Minnesota House approves new assistance for farmers, producers

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House of Representatives today approved a major piece of legislation that provides assistance for farmers who are facing economic hardship. Lawmakers also appropriated resources for grain storage safety grants in response to rising work-related accidents and deaths on the farm.

“This legislation will not fully address the needs of Minnesota’s farmers and producers during these challenging times, but it does provide vitally needed support and assistance,” said Rep. Poppe (DFL-Austin), chair of the Agriculture and Food Division, and the bill’s chief author.

The bill uses federal CARES Act dollars to invest in farmer mental health needs, including suicide prevention training and awareness of mental health resources. To enhance capacity for services and support to farmers for their economic well-being, it invests in essential services provided by the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Advocate program. The bill funds the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab equipment which is needed to respond to poultry and livestock diseases like HPAI and ASF.

The Minnesota Senate is expected to approve the bill. It is expected to be sent to Gov. Tim Walz before the 2020 session adjourns on May 18, 2020.

Minnesota House establishes Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced the formation of a Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding. The Select Committee will review the federal and state responses to the COVID19 pandemic to date and will assess policy changes needed moving forward.

“COVID-19 may reshape Minnesota for years to come, and the public policy challenges it presents are enormous,” said Speaker Hortman. “We are forming this Select Committee to take a deep-dive on these policy challenges as we work to respond to this pandemic and to rebuild Minnesota as a better and stronger state.”

The Select Committee will take a closer look at the pandemic’s impact on Minnesotans, what the state and federal government have done so far to respond, and possible future responses, including ensuring workplace safety and protecting workers’ rights, and broader societal changes — for example, ways education might be changed in the fall due to COVID-19. Continue reading “Minnesota House establishes Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding”