Tag: Minnesota House

Minnesota House expected to approve $50 million in loan assistance for farmers

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House was expected to vote on legislation (House File 2959) appropriating $50 million bond funds for the Rural Finance Authority (RFA), a state entity that offers low-interest loan programs to farmers. Existing funds are nearly depleted and there is an urgent need to replenish the account to guarantee more loan availability.

State Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), chief author of the bill to appropriate funds and chair of the Agriculture and Food Division, said the bill has bipartisan support and expects the entire Minnesota House to swiftly approve it.

“We all know 2019 was one of the worst years in decades for farming, whether it was extreme weather, mental health crises, historically low commodity prices, or uncertainty with global trading partners,” said Poppe. “Today, we’ve reached a collaborative and fruitful outcome that will give farmers the financial support they need to stay afloat. And we did it in a way that was transparent and accountable.”

The Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Farm Bureau, and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) have all expressed support for the bill’s swift passage. To date, more than $289.7 million has been invested in 3,094 loan participations by the RFA, and they have a strong record of success. Through December 31, 2019, the RFA bonded programs had loan losses (totaling $555,707) on only 21 loans since 1986, an outstanding loan balance of $94.4 million, and 626 active loan files.

In the last two years, the RFA has seen increased participation in Beginning Farmer programs and increased numbers of bond funded loans issued. This increase can be partly attributed to the very low interest rates that RFA is able to offer, which are achieved through successful bond sales at interest rates as low at 2.15% in 2019. Education and outreach about these loans to farmers and lenders have increased their popularity. RFA loans are appealing to farmers and lenders during difficult economic times because the low interest rate also makes it easier to cash flow.

According to MDA, $35 million in user-financed bond sales historically would last about three or four years, but because of increased awareness, economic need, and low interest rates, the RFA has used $22-$25 million per year in recent years.

Rep. Huot Proposes Emergency Services Task Force

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Representative John Huot (DFL-Rosemount) today introduced legislation that would create an emergency medical services task force charged with evaluating and making recommendations on how to improve and modernize emergency medical services in Minnesota.

Rep. Huot held eight EMS listening meetings across the state focused on recruitment and retention of volunteer emergency first responders, aiming for quicker response rates in emergency situations. NBC reported last year that 57 million Americans face an EMS shortage. The legislation announced today is a result in part of these conversations. Rep. Huot, a former EMT, was inspired by the stories of emergency medical workers and individuals impacted by long wait times for an ambulance.

“Minnesotans expect and deserve fast and reliable emergency services in times of crisis,” said Rep.  Huot. “To move forward with solutions, we must understand the financial constraints volunteer EMS workers are facing, and other barriers preventing local community members from volunteering, such as training costs.”

The bill would also appropriate grant funding to the Department of Employment and Economic Development for developing ambulance service personnel training programs for high schools and school district community education programs. Additionally, it allocates funding for state colleges to expand existing ambulance service personnel training programs.

The bill awaits a committee hearing in the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee. State Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) is carrying the companion legislation.

 

Lawmakers, St. Paul Police Chief Axtell announce effort to remove reference to slavery in Minn. Constitution

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA  – Yesterday, at the State Capitol, Minnesota lawmakers and St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell launched an effort to remove references to slavery and involuntary servitude from the Minnesota Constitution. Despite being banned since statehood was achieved in 1858, the Minnesota Constitution still contains outdated permissive language regarding slavery.

Article I, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution reads, in part, “there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the state otherwise than as punishment for a crime of which the party has been convicted.” The proposed amendment would remove the clause “otherwise than as punishment for a crime of which the party has been convicted.”

“Our state constitution should reflect our values. In Minnesota, it’s inappropriate that language mentioning slavery still exists in our constitution, even if it’s narrowly constructed and obsolete,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), chief author of the amendment in the Minnesota House. “While we’ve undoubtedly made progress in expanding civil rights, racial bias remains persistent, and it’s unacceptable that people of color continue to face such significant disparities. By amending our constitution to remove this troublesome language, we have the opportunity to make Minnesota a more inclusive state.” Continue reading “Lawmakers, St. Paul Police Chief Axtell announce effort to remove reference to slavery in Minn. Constitution”

New State Legislation to Address the Climate Crisis

Hello Climate Action Community,

We introduced legislation to address the climate crisis yesterday! Minnesotans have been telling Climate Action Caucus members about the urgent need to address climate change, and we’ve been listening. We used what we heard from you during the series of community conversations that we held and other feedback and suggestions that you shared while preparing this package of bills.

Our proposal contains one-time investments that will enable Minnesotans to participate directly in solutions that address the climate crisis, including energy efficiency, solar energy, transportation, local government projects, and environment projects. Public schools, homeowners, local governments, and nursing homes all stand to benefit. A fact sheet with more information is available here. Continue reading “New State Legislation to Address the Climate Crisis”

Legislators, Youth, and Labor announce one-time appropriations for climate action

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – A coalition of state lawmakers, youth, and organized labor today announced a new proposal of one-time appropriations to address the climate crisis. The new investments will reduce greenhouse gases and benefit public schools, homeowners, local governments, and nursing homes. A fact sheet with more information is available here. A video recording will be made available later today here.

Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka), who chairs the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus, says the new proposal uses “carrots, not sticks” and will preface a comprehensive policy plan expected to be introduced in coming weeks.

“Minnesotans have been telling legislators about the urgent need to address climate change,” said Rep. Acomb. “The new investments we are proposing today would enable Minnesotans to participate directly in solutions like energy efficiency, solar, electric vehicles, and conservation.”

Mona Meyer, President of the CWA State Council, says she supports the proposal because it expands Minnesota’s fleet of electric buses manufactured by her union’s members.

“This proposal includes significant investments in new electric buses for schools and public transit,” said Meyer. “We’ve got highly-skilled working men and women who would see a positive impact on their livelihoods if it gets signed into law.”

Anna Grace Hottinger, a high school student from Shoreview and a steering committee member of the 100% Campaign, says Minnesota’s youth want their elected officials to take immediate action to protect the health of the planet they will inherit.

“The decisions made by elected officials today have major consequences for my generation and future generations,” said Hottinger. “Me and my peers are confused and scared about what our future will look like. I’m here to thank state lawmakers who are listening to us and working hard to put our ideas into action.”

Minnesotans can visit www.house.mn/ClimateActionCaucus to sign up for email updates and learn more about the work state lawmakers are doing to address the climate crisis.

Minnesota House DFL releases 2020 Minnesota Values Plan

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators unveiled their 2020 Minnesota Values Plan for the Legislative Session.

“The Minnesota House DFL remains committed to building a better future for all Minnesotans,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “While we made some bipartisan progress last year, Senate Republicans blocked action on the issues most important to Minnesotans. House DFLers believe that all Minnesotans deserve a world-class education, affordable health care, economic security, and safe and inclusive communities. We will continue our efforts to make this better future a reality for all Minnesotans.”

The 2020 Minnesota Values Plan includes the following: Continue reading “Minnesota House DFL releases 2020 Minnesota Values Plan”

Majority Leader Winkler to outline principles for cannabis legislation, discuss Be Heard on Cannabis community conversations

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MIINNESOTA— On Tuesday, February 4, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) will discuss what legislators learned from the Be Heard on Cannabis community conversation tour and outline the principles that will guide legislation to legalize the responsible use of cannabis for adults.

Rep. Winkler and legislators held 15 events around the state to encourage Minnesotans to join the conversation on how to legalize and regulate cannabis.

Who: Majority Leader Ryan Winkler and Senator Jeff Hayden
What: Press conference to announce principles for cannabis legislation
When: Tuesday, February 4, 11:00 AM
Where: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

Eleven states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adult use. In an op-ed written last year, Rep. Winkler announced that legalizing cannabis for adult use will be a legislative priority during the 2020 legislative session.

 

Rep. Tabke Announces Legislation to Improve Transit Experience for Riders

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee), Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, House Transportation Chair Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), and St. Paul City Council Member Mitra Jalali announced comprehensive transit rider experience legislation that would create a Transit Ambassador Program to increase safety, connect riders with services, and apply administrative, rather than criminal, penalties for fare evasion.

The Transit Ambassador Program will increase the presence of unarmed personnel on trains. The transit ambassadors would be trained in de-escalation and available to connect riders to services.

“This bill is about making sure our transit system is safe and welcoming for any Minnesotan who chooses to use it,” said Rep. Tabke. “By adding personnel to light rail trains, we are replacing a flawed system with one that will increase safety and fare compliance.”  Continue reading “Rep. Tabke Announces Legislation to Improve Transit Experience for Riders”

House Public Safety, Judiciary committees announce Jan. 29 joint public hearing at Mitchell Hamline

House DFL logoMeeting’s focus: Race and the Law: How We Can Improve Equity in the Criminal Justice System

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Next Wednesday, January 29, the Minnesota House Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Division and the Judiciary & Civil Law Division will hold a public hearing at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The meeting, titled “Race and the Law: How We Can Improve Equity in the Criminal Justice System,” will take place at 5 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. The meeting is free to attend and open to the public.

“There are significant racial disparities throughout our criminal justice system which lead to harmful outcomes for individuals and entire communities,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), the House Public Safety Division chair. “As policymakers, we have a responsibility to address them thoughtfully and deliberately through legislative action. Mitchell Hamline will provide us a unique venue to have a robust discussion about potential solutions.”

“The disparities people of color experience through every point in the criminal justice process are unacceptable, and the data shows in Minnesota, there is justice for less than all,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), the House Judiciary Division chair and alumnus of the former Hamline University School of Law. “This session, we have the capacity to make a great deal of progress on these important issues, and I’m hopeful our hearing at Mitchell Hamline will help deliver some momentum.” Continue reading “House Public Safety, Judiciary committees announce Jan. 29 joint public hearing at Mitchell Hamline”

Minnesota House Chairman Mariani calls on Sentencing Guidelines Commission to advance probation reforms; requests Minnesotans to share input with panel

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Thursday, December 19, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission (MSGC) is scheduled to hold a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to Minnesota’s probation guidelines, including the adoption of a five-year cap on terms with exemptions for the most serious of offenses. This follows commission action in November, proposed by Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell, to formally consider the proposal.

However, at its Thursday, December 12 meeting, the MSGC is set to consider reversing course by rescinding its prior action and postponing the public hearing.

Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Division, is calling on the Commission to gather public input, and move forward with the reforms. Continue reading “Minnesota House Chairman Mariani calls on Sentencing Guidelines Commission to advance probation reforms; requests Minnesotans to share input with panel”