Tag: Rep. Klevorn

House DFL Lawmakers urge resignation of Minn. Board of Animal Health President

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul), House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley), Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL – Minnetonka), Rep. Ami Wazlawik (DFL – White Bear Township), Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL – Deephaven), Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL – Northfield), Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL – Plymouth), Rep. Jay Xiong (DFL – Saint Paul), Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL – Moorhead), Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL – Roseville), Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL – Brooklyn Center), Rep. Fue Lee (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL – Maplewood), Rep. Steve Sandell (DFL – Woodbury), Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL – Coon Rapids), Rep. Liz Reyer (DFL – Eagan), Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL – Spring Lake Park), Rep. Jamie Long (DFL – Minneapolis), Rep. Michael Howard (DFL – Richfield), and Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL – Minneapolis) issued the following statement calling for the resignation of Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) President Dean Compart: 

“Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) poses a critical threat to Minnesota’s wild white-tail deer population, and the Board of Animal Health has the responsibility to hold cervid farms in our state accountable for their role in its spread. Unfortunately, by failing to act, the BAH and its leadership have continued to let down those who enjoy deer hunting. Worse, future generations potentially won’t be able to enjoy these cherished traditions if CWD is allowed to spread, and based on the frequency at which the disease is identified in new areas of the state, unless urgent action is taken, it almost certainly will.

“All Minnesotans deserve a healthy deer herd and comprehensive solutions to protect it. If the deer farms won’t be accountable to the BAH, and the BAH won’t be accountable to Minnesotans, it’s time for BAH President Dean Compart to do the honorable thing and resign.”

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Supreme Court Ruling Fails to End Gerrymandering

House DFL logoRep. Klevorn Proposes People-focused, People-Driven Redistricting Reforms

SAINT PAUL — Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in two landmark redistricting cases, Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v. Benisek. In a 72-page decision written by Justice Roberts, the majority concluded it could not set a constitutional standard against partisan gerrymandering.

Justice Kagan highlighted in her dissent, “The partisan gerrymanders here debased and dishonored our democracy, turning upside-down the core American idea that all governmental power derives from the people.”

Representative Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth) chief authored legislation during the 2019 session that would establish a nonpartisan Redistricting Advisory Commission comprised of 12 members of the public and five retired judges. Representative Klevorn released the following statement:

“Minnesotans deserve an honest election process, one that allows the people an opportunity to fairly elect their local elected officials. I wholeheartedly agree with Justice Kagan’s dissent. Although the Court came to this decision today, the Minnesota Legislature can set clear standards that put people before partisan or special interests. I’ll continue to work on people-focused and people-driven redistricting reforms putting all Minnesotans ahead of party, incumbency, and special interests.”

Elections panel to discuss Rep. Klevorn proposal tonight to establish Redistricting Advisory Commission

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Representative Ginny Klevorn (DFL- Plymouth) will present legislation this evening to the House Elections Subcommittee to establish a Redistricting Advisory Commission. The purpose of the commission is to submit recommended legislative and congressional redistricting plans for approval by the legislature following each decennial census.

“Our current redistricting process at the legislature is not working efficiently,” said Rep. Klevorn. “Over the last couple of decades, courts have needed to intervene and it’s been costly in terms of time, resources and public trust. Minnesotans deserve unbiased recommendations with the goal of producing fairly redistricted lines for future elections.”

The commission consists of 12 members of the public and five retired judges. The bill also establishes a series of principles that must be used in drawing district boundaries. The Minnesota Constitution requires that the legislature adopt new congressional and legislative districts following each decennial census.

The next decennial census will occur next year.

What: An Elections Subcommittee hearing to hear discuss HF 1605

When: This evening, Wednesday, March 6, 7:00 p.m.

Where: 500S, State Office Building. 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul