Tag: Minnesota Legislature
House Energy and Climate Division Approves Budget Bill
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Yesterday the Minnesota House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division, chaired by Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL – Minneapolis), approved an omnibus budget bill. The finance bill (HF 1986) passed yesterday and the omnibus policy bill (HF 1833) that the committee approved last week include practical initiatives that will help Minnesotans adapt to the changes that are coming due to climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions to prevent further consequences.
“Minnesotans know climate change is a threat to our state,” said Rep. Wagenius. “We’re already experiencing profound impacts, and scientists have told us that we need to sharply reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the next dozen years to head off the most catastrophic consequences. This legislation is our first step in ensuring we give young Minnesotans the future they want and we want for them.”
Transitioning to 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050 is part of the legislation. The bills would reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the use of clean energy alternatives while ensuring that electricity is reliable and affordable during and after the transition. The bills also provide new opportunities for utility customers to conserve energy and switch from fossil fuels to cleaner electricity. Continue reading “House Energy and Climate Division Approves Budget Bill”
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Legislation Receives First Public Hearing
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Representative Hunter Cantrell (DFL – Savage) today presented a bill in the Health and Human Services Finance Committee to provide sustainable funding for substance use disorder treatment and lower costs for both patients and providers. The bill puts into action recommendations of a substance use disorder study recently completed by the Department of Human Services regarding residential treatment and payment rate reform.
“We need to take a comprehensive look at how we address the opioid epidemic and the needs of those experiencing chemical dependency in our state,” said Rep. Cantrell. “That means culturally-competent, individualized care that Minnesotans can actually afford. Not having access to treatment can be devastating.” Continue reading “Substance Use Disorder Treatment Legislation Receives First Public Hearing”
Snow Day Forgiveness Compromise Legislation Passes the Minnesota House
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House approved compromise ‘snow day relief’ legislation as a result of a Senate and House conference committee. Highlights of the new bill include greater flexibility for school districts concerning the number of ‘relief’ days, while still requiring school districts to provide hourly employees with opportunities to make up hours from those days, be it from back-pay or alternative hours.
“Schools made the responsible decision to close during multiple extreme weather days this winter, and now we have bipartisan, bicameral legislation that ensures families and districts can have scheduling clarity moving forward,” said Rep. Christensen. “It was incredibly important to make sure school staff weren’t penalized for those lost days, and I’m grateful the provisions helping non-salaried staff were kept. This is a great bill for Minnesota families and districts, and I look forward to Governor Walz signing this into law.
“The bipartisan result of the conference committee protects schools and school employees from penalization, simply for keeping our kids safe during the cold, snowy, and inclement weather,” Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins), Chair of the Education Policy Committee commented. “I am glad to see this important measure one step closer to law.”
The bill is headed to Governor Walz’s desk for his anticipated prompt signature.
Situation in the Minnesota Senate
Minnesota is the only state legislature in the country. Like the GOP controlled U.S. Senate, our Minnesota Senate Speaker is blocking bills from being heard.
Here are the issues that are being stonewalled (Sen. Gazelka is beginning to talk about allowing the gun safety bills to be heard):
House HHS Finance Division to discuss Health Care Access Fund’s future today
SAINT PAUL, Minn. – During its Wednesday afternoon meeting, the House Health and Human Services Finance Division will hold a public hearing on the future of Minnesota’s Health Care Access Fund. The panel, chaired by Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), will hear presentations from officials including Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Department of Human Services Commissioner Tony Lourey, officials from Minnesota Management and Budget, and others.
The Health Care Access Fund primarily allows low-income Minnesotans to access health care through Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. Funding comes from a provider tax which, absent legislative action this year, is set to disappear. This comes after Republicans have already siphoned money away from the fund for their insurance company subsidy, reinsurance. Without the Health Care Access Fund, access to affordable health care for many Minnesotans could be put at risk. House DFLers and Governor Walz are committed to protecting this priority, meanwhile, Republicans haven’t offered any plan to account for the elimination of this funding.
Livestreaming of the hearing is available here courtesy of House Public Information Services.
WHAT: Minnesota House Health and Human Services Finance Division public hearing on the future of the Health Care Access Fund
WHO: Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), committee chair; Jan Malcolm, Commissioner of Health; Tony Lourey, Commissioner of Human Services
WHERE: Room 200, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul
WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 6:45 p.m. (updated 3/20/19, 2:19 PM)
House, Senate must create a budget that reflects priorities of Minnesotans
Perhaps the most important role of the Legislature is the role it plays in creating a state budget. We must create a budget covering areas from education to transportation, human services to natural resources, and many other issues that make a daily impact on the lives of Minnesotans.
The budget is the biggest item on the agenda for my colleagues in both the Senate and the House this year. Entering the third month of the 2019 Legislative Session, we have a clearer picture of our state’s economic outlook with the updated February Forecast we received on Feb. 28.
According to the Minnesota Management and Budget office, the state has a positive budget balance of just over $1 billion, a balance that has decreased $492 million since November. On the one hand, our economy continues to do well; but on the other hand, this decrease, and the potential for a future economic downturn, is concerning. It’s up to us to balance the need for forward-thinking investment in our priorities and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We cannot jeopardize the long-term health of the state’s finances with short-term decisions.
Lawmakers announce “Responsible on Cannabis” approach for key House public hearings
Committees to consider bills impacting marijuana enforcement, CBD, medical cannabis program
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Tuesday afternoon, three committees in the Minnesota House are scheduled to hold public hearings on legislation impacting Minnesota’s cannabis policies. As part of the “Responsible on Cannabis Day” event, Rep. Carlos Mariani (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division, and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, are moving forward with a responsible approach to the issues of legalization, enforcement, and the state’s medical cannabis program.
“With as many moving parts as there are on the topic of cannabis, it’s extremely important for us to bring all Minnesotans to the table for a legitimate conversation on the issue,” said Rep. Mariani, chief author of HF 717, which would create a Cannabis Task Force to examine the potential legalization, taxation, and regulation of cannabis production, sale, and use. “Minnesotans have diverse viewpoints about this topic, as do legislators. While we take other steps like those in the bills we’re considering today, a task force will allow us to gather input from regular Minnesotans and affected stakeholders, and puts us on a clear path toward taking whichever steps on this issue are the most viable.”
“It’s clear that our state’s current approach to marijuana isn’t working, and harms Minnesotans in a number of ways,” said Rep. Moran. “From those who can’t access it to treat an illness, to those who have been caught up in the criminal justice system and the unjust racial disparities which come with enforcement, it’s time for Minnesota to move in a new direction, and the bills scheduled for hearings today will allow us to do that.” Continue reading “Lawmakers announce “Responsible on Cannabis” approach for key House public hearings”
Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Housley introduce legislation to rededicate Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) and state Senator Karin Housley (R – St. Marys Point) have introduced legislation that would rededicate the Minnesota portion of Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park.
“We are honoring Walter Mondale’s lifelong devotion to public service and his foresight in preserving the St. Croix Scenic Riverway as a national treasure,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Vice President Mondale has left us a legacy of rugged and pristine beauty which we will enjoy for generations to come, and so it is fitting that we recognize him in this way.”
“Interstate Park is the first such interstate park in the nation. For decades, Minnesotans have marveled at its storied history and natural beauty,” Senator Housley said. “It’s only fitting that we renew the spirit of bipartisanship that led to the park’s creation by naming the Minnesota portion of Interstate Park after its original champion, Walter Mondale.” Continue reading “Majority Leader Winkler, Sen. Housley introduce legislation to rededicate Interstate Park as Walter F. Mondale State Park”
Starting Line: A look at both sides of the gun bill debate
From the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Service: