Tag: Minnesota House

House DFL Majority Announces New Judiciary Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division has announced a new two-year budget. With funding for the courts, civil legal services, guardians ad litem, Department of Human Rights, public defenders and more, the budget helps ensure all Minnesotans can access justice, fully enjoy their civil rights, and can be treated with dignity and respect in their communities.

A summary of the House DFL judiciary budget can be downloaded here, and a spreadsheet is available here.

“We’ve heard stories from too many Minnesotans who have experienced barriers as they seek access to justice and to be treated fairly,” said Rep. John Lesch (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Judiciary Division. “I’m proud of the bipartisan work we’ve done in this budget which reflects these core values through increased investments in our courts, reforms to certain fines and penalties, and other strategies which will improve opportunities for everyone.” Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces New Judiciary Budget”

Legislators and coalition members to hold press conference ahead of House floor vote on Driver’s Licenses for

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — At 10:45 a.m. on Friday, April 5th, House Majority Leader Ryan Winker, Speaker Melissa Hortman, a bipartisan group of legislators, and the Freedom to Drive coalition will hold a press conference ahead of the House vote for Driver’s Licenses for All. The statewide, multi-organization coalition and bipartisan group of legislators have been working to pass a law this session allowing all Minnesotans, regardless of immigration status, to obtain driver’s licenses.

Who:

  • House Majority Leader Winkler
  • Speaker Hortman
  • Rep. Aisha Gomez
  • Rep. Rod Hamilton
  • Freedom to Drive coalition members, religious leaders
  • representatives from the business community, and law enforcement

What: Press conference ahead of House floor vote for Driver’s Licenses for All

When: 10:45 AM, Friday April 5th, 2019

Where: Minnesota State Capitol Press Conference Room B971; 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155

House DFL Majority Announces New Community-Centered Public Safety Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division today announced a new budget built on a community–centered approach to public safety. The budget provides a pathway for Minnesotans to move beyond the criminal justice system, delivers justice for crime victims, and holds those who hurt others and hurt communities accountable.

“Through a community-centered approach to public safety, we can deliberately and thoughtfully engage Minnesotans to determine how we can best achieve the results and outcomes from our criminal justice system,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), the Division Chair. “All session long we’ve been committed to working together in this fashion, and I’m pleased that we’ve produced a bill that I believe truly re-envisions public safety in this state.”

The budget bill, HF 2792, contains funding for the Departments of Public Safety and Corrections that provides for those on probation to develop the skills to contribute to society and for young people to avoid incarceration. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, and the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Board are also funded. Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces New Community-Centered Public Safety Budget”

House DFL Majority Announces Health and Human Services Budget

Democrats’ budget lowers costs for Minnesotans, holds Big Pharma accountable, gives doctors and patients more control over care

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday, April 3 the House DFL Majority announced a new Health and Human Services Budget. The budget strengthens health care for all Minnesotans by lowering the cost of care, making drug prices more affordable by holding Big Pharma accountable, addressing health disparities, improving health care for women, and expanding coverage options for Minnesotans.

A fact sheet with more information is available for download here.

“Minnesotans should be able to count on receiving quality health care at a price they can afford. Unfortunately, the deck has been stacked against Minnesotans in favor of insurance companies, Big Pharma, and pharmaceutical middlemen,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division. “This bill will help keep Minnesota a leader in health care by putting patients ahead of profits. It offers solutions to reduce costs, expand coverage, and improve the health of all Minnesotans.” Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces Health and Human Services Budget”

Thursday at 10: House DFL Majority Announces New Budget for Higher Education

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. – The House DFL Majority is hosting a news conference on Thursday, April 4 at 10:00 AM in Capitol Room B971 to announce a new higher education budget that freezes tuition for Minnesota students.

The new budget makes college more affordable for working families, helps develop a talented workforce to address shortages throughout the state, and helps keep students safe and healthy on college campuses, from Moorhead to Mankato to Minneapolis.

Who:

  • Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman
  • Majority Leader Ryan Winkler
  • Rep. Connie Bernardy (DFL-New Brighton), Chair of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Division
  • Students enrolled in Minnesota’s public colleges and universities

When: Thursday, April 4 at 10:00 AM

Where:  Capitol Room B971

House DFL Majority Announces New Transportation Budget

Democrats Propose Honest Investments in Roads, Bridges, Transit

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House DFL Majority today announced a new transportation budget that makes honest investments to fix our roads, bridges, and transit. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.” Members of the public can find a copy of the budget posted on the Transportation Division webpage, which is listed online at house.mn/committees.

A fact sheet with more information is available for download here.

“Our transportation budget makes tangible, honest investments that will improve the lives of all Minnesotans, no matter where you live or what you look like,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein, Chair of the Transportation Division. “Minnesotans are not well served by driving on roads and bridges that are more than 50 years old. It’s time to be responsible and fix our crumbling infrastructure.”

The cornerstone of the House DFL Majority’s transportation budget is a gas tax increase phased in over four years to pay for honest investments for roads and bridges. At five cents per year over four years, it raises nearly $600 million in Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and $1.1 billion in Fiscal Years 2022-23 in constitutionally-dedicated revenue that cannot be spent on anything else. Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces New Transportation Budget”

Wednesday at 11: House DFL Majority to Announce Health and Human Services Budget

LeSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday at 11 a.m., the House DFL Majority is holding a news conference to announce a new Health and Human Services budget.

The House DFL’s HHS proposal budget lowers the cost of health care, addresses rising prescription drug prices, increases the quality of coverage, and gives patients and their doctors more power over their care.

WHAT: News Conference Announcing House Health and Human Services Budget

WHO: Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman; Majority Leader Ryan Winkler; Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division

WHEN: Wednesday, April 3 at 11 AM

WHERE: Room 181, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Saint Paul

Minnesota House Passes Renter Protection Legislation

Bill would increase transparency for renters and even the playing field between tenants and landlords

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed Rep. Mohamud Noor’s bipartisan bill to increase renter protections and amend requirements to ensure greater lease transparency.

“Students, low-income individuals, and immigrants are disproportionately impacted by housing policies that are designed to favor landlords over renters,” said Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL – Minneapolis). “Stable housing is fundamental to living a productive, affordable life. This consumer protection measure will bring much-needed transparency to the housing market.”

The bill would require landlords to disclose the unit being rented; require the lease start and end dates be put on the first page of a lease; prevent a tenant from getting charged a full month’s rent when they are required to move out before the month has ended; and prohibit landlords from providing notice to quit the premises or increase rent in a time period that is less than what the lease allows the tenant to provide notice of an intention to quit the premises.

Minnesota House Approves Legislation Banning Trichloroethylene

SAINT PAUL, Minn.— Today, the Minnesota House approved legislation that would ban trichloroethylene (TCE), a known carcinogen. The bill (HF 2276), authored by Rep. Ami Wazlawik (DFL – White Bear Lake), prohibits the use of TCE for manufacturing purposes.

“No Minnesotan should ever experience preventable health risks,” said Rep. Wazlawik. “Thousands of people in my community fear that exposure to TCE may have increased their risk for cancer and other serious health issues. It’s time we ban TCE to protect the health and well-being of the people of Minnesota.”

TCE is an industrial solvent used to degrease metal parts or as an intermediate for producing other chemicals. It can also be found in some consumer products such as paint strippers, adhesives, and spot removers. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Legislation Banning Trichloroethylene”

House DFL Majority Announces Veterans and Military Affairs Budget

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Division has announced the committee’s omnibus budget bill. The legislation includes $4.34 million in new funding for the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs.

“We all have a responsibility to uphold our promises we’ve made to the brave Americans who have put on the uniform, and in my role as chair of this committee, I’ve put this at the forefront,” said the committee’s chair, Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls). “The work in our committee is totally bipartisan. I’m proud that we’ve worked together to assemble a budget that does right by those who are currently serving and those veterans who have previously made sacrifices for our nation.”

One of the main initiatives of the committee this session was the expansion of Veterans Courts and restorative justice practices. To that end, the bill includes new sentencing recommendations for veterans who have experienced PTSD or another service related disorder to refer them to treatment for substance abuse or mental health problems rather than jail or prison. Along with this, the bill includes $400,000 toward a Veterans Justice Grant Program to support veterans who fall into the criminal justice system. Continue reading “House DFL Majority Announces Veterans and Military Affairs Budget”