Tag: Minnesota House
Monday at 9: House DFL Majority Announces New Tax Bill, Talks E-12 Education Budget
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House DFL Majority is hosting a news conference on Monday, April 8 at 9:00 AM. in Capitol Room B971 to announce a new tax bill that will make Minnesota’s tax system fairer and provide new revenue that allows for important investments in education, health care, infrastructure, and economic development.
A fact sheet with more information will be distributed at the news conference.
In concert with the tax bill announcement, Democrats will talk about a new E-12 education budget that makes historic investments in Minnesota students and schools honestly without shifts or gimmicks. Continue reading “Monday at 9: House DFL Majority Announces New Tax Bill, Talks E-12 Education Budget”
House Agriculture and Food Committee Finalizes Budget
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division, chaired by Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL – Austin), finalized the committee’s budget legislation and completed its committee work for the legislative session. The bill, HF 2200, passed through committee on a voice vote.
“The culmination of our committee’s budget work this session strives to lift up Minnesota’s farming communities and spark innovation in agriculture,” said Rep. Poppe. “Minnesota has a diverse and varied agricultural and food production industry, something that’s reflected by the priorities in this legislation. Working with a much-appreciated biennial increase, we were able to invest in farmer mental health, farm-to-school programs, market growth, and research that will put Minnesota at the forefront of the industry.”
“There are some really good aspects to the bill,” said Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL-St. Peter), the committee’s vice chair. “We’re providing funding for industrial hemp development, improving food access at all levels, increasing meat inspections, and providing policies and resources to deal with Chronic Wasting Disease on farm sites.” Continue reading “House Agriculture and Food Committee Finalizes Budget”
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 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”
Statement from House DFL Leadership on Governor Walz’s State of the State Address
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on tonight’s State of the State Address from Governor Tim Walz:
“The stories told by Governor Walz were like so many we have heard from Minnesotans across the state: we want good schools, affordable health care, and economic security. We care about our neighbors, and we want to see one another succeed,” said Speaker Hortman. “As session continues, I’m optimistic we can find solutions and pass a budget that will ensure that Minnesota is a state where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”
“We share Governor Walz’s vision of a Minnesota that leads the nation and a politics that is focused on improving people’s lives,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The policy decisions made here have a real impact, and House DFLers are committed to building a brighter future for all Minnesotans — no matter where you live or what you look like.”