Category: SD46

END OF SESSION UPDATE 2018

Last Sunday evening, the 2018 session came to an end after it reached its May 21 constitutional deadline. Although we addressed a lot of policy needs, much more was left undone, with a failure to make real change and appropriate funding for many of the state’s most pressing issues.

As always, legislators were tasked with addressing new and reoccurring issues. We didn’t know at this time last year that we would have the opportunity to make impactful changes to how our state protects its elders and vulnerable, and we didn’t know the United States Congress and Trump Administration would change the federal tax code. But, after many weeks and much debate, the legislative majority simply didn’t do enough to address those issues. The tax bill tilted heavily toward multinational corporations and the wealthy, while providing little new money for our strapped school districts.  The majority loaded the Supplemental Budget bill with controversial policy that the Governor strongly opposed, including an elder abuse section that the industry wrote so it was missing pro-resident guidelines that would have enacted real protections for our elders against abuse and neglect.  Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: May 26, 2018”

CAPITOL UPDATE MAY 4, 2018

As we approach the May 21 constitutional deadline, the Minnesota Legislature has only a few short weeks to pass a number of items. The Senate recently passed a supplemental budget proposal that unfortunately includes a list of harmful legislation. The plan, proposed by the Republican-led Senate, would weaken collective bargaining rights, instruct teachers on what they are allowed and not allowed to say in their classrooms, and cut funding from many critical services that Minnesotans across the state rely on every day. Minnesotans will now have less than 20 days to review and take part in shaping both the tax and bonding bills. It must be noted that it took 60 days for Senate Republicans to draft and then pass a first draft of their supplemental budget bill.  Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: May 4, 2018”

CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 16, 2018

Senator Ron Latz conversing with Senate Counsel during Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee

Gun Violence

Last week, I introduced SF 2959, which would raise the minimum age to purchase or possess semiautomatic assault weapons from 18 to 21. It is common practice to set legal ages for activities that require maturity such as voting, driving, and drinking alcohol. Purchasing and possessing a military-style assault weapon, a weapon designed for war, should require the same, if not greater, ability to act responsibly. Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 17, 2018”

CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 2, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

It is an honor to continue to serve Senate District 46 as the second half of the 90th Session of the Minnesota Legislature begins. I have spoken with many of you and many local officials – including city governments, school boards, and legislative action committees – in St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth, and Medicine Lake. As Ranking Minority Member of the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and as a member of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee, we have many issues to resolve this year.

Legislative Business

Welcoming Senator Karla Bigham: Last week the Minnesota Senate welcomed Karla Bigham of District 54 as its newest member. Sen. Bigham defeated Republican Denny McNamara in a special election on February 12 after former-Sen. Dan Schoen stepped down in the aftermath of sexual impropriety complaints. Continue reading “Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 2, 2018”