CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 1, 2019
Senator Ron Latz testified in support of a bill this past week.
Net Neutrality: As many of you may know, I am once again pursuing a net neutrality bill in the Senate. Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) is carrying the measure through the other legislative body. By prohibiting internet service providers from blocking or slowing internet traffic based on its content, Minnesotans would not be charged more based on the content they wish to access. If net neutrality regulations aren’t put in place, small businesses would not be able to fairly compete with larger companies. Providers could slow down access to websites to the benefit of large corporations that can afford to pay the high costs, leaving upstart businesses reeling to pay high costs for the particular kind of content they would need to access in order to be successful. The bill is currently moving its way through the House, but may face obstacles to receive a hearing in the Senate. Nonetheless, I remain committed in pushing forward this crucial consumer protection initiative.
Ban on Private Prisons: On Tuesday, February 26, I joined my House counterpart, Rep. Ryan Winkler, at the podium to promote a bill that would ban the use of private prisons. Considering the Trump administration’s decision to reverse the Justice Department’s plan to end the use of private prisons, time is of the essence to act here in Minnesota on the use of private prisons. It’s been proven that private prisons do not focus on correctional officer and inmate well-being and safety. Rather, they focus on protecting their own bottom lines. Corporate-run private prisons put our correctional officers and inmates at a substantially greater security and safety risk considering they cut corners when and where they can, hire, train, and pay employees less, and thus, create an environment unfit for all of those involved. Simply stated, private prisons do not compare to the levels of safety and monetary effectiveness of government-run prisons, especially at a time where those government-run facilities are already facing such an operational deficit. You can see a short clip from that press conference below.
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Governor Walz’s Budget Proposal Released: Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan released their two-year budget proposal on Tuesday, February 19. The proposed budget includes funding for a number Minnesota’s most pressing needs such as education, health care, gun violence protections, and ensuring community prosperity.
Education: The education proposal outlines a plan that would make historic investments in schools, both K-12 and at the post-secondary level. Included in the proposal is a $77 million investment aimed at mitigating the rising costs of special education. An additional $59 million investment is dedicated to keep over 200 preschools open in districts that serve high numbers of underrepresented students and for issues related to school safety. It also provides a framework to address the issue of student homelessness by proposing the creation of the Second Chance Agency, an executive body aimed at serving students who were incarcerated.
Another section of the proposal would fund new and existing programs designed to attract, prepare, and retain racially diverse and qualified teachers. This includes a proposed allocation of nearly $8 million to fund this effort. It also incorporates an initiative that would stabilize and equalize funding for American Indian Tribal schools, which would ensure continued growth and opportunities for our communities. Lastly, the Walz administration proposal includes further support for high-quality, affordable education at Minnesota Colleges and Universities with a recommended 3.6 percent increase in base appropriations.
Health Care: The Walz administration plans to take action to improve Minnesota’s health care system with the creation of a subsidy program aimed at reducing monthly premiums for individuals who receive their insurance through MNSure by 20 percent. Additionally, the proposal includes the formation of a statewide health care coverage option and offers a comprehensive platinum-level buy-in product in Minnesota’s individual market called ONECare. This funding would maintain the current Health Care Access Fund and would repeal the sunset provision for the Provider Tax, which in turn would create $992 million in revenue by 2021.
Furthermore, the budget proposal would ensure choice and low-cost options and would create a simplified, more efficient, and equitable model for purchasing dental benefits through a common administration structure. To address the opioid epidemic, the proposal incorporates funding for increased access to preventative medicines that are used in opioid overdoses and would expand access to treatment and services across the state through a $965,000 per year fund. Also included are community-based prevention initiatives, particularly culturally competent services for the American Indian community. Finally, the proposal would address the ever-growing need to strengthen mental health services across Minnesota. This includes, but is not limited to, the expansion of evidence-based school-linked mental health grants, which would serve K-12 students, the incorporation of the use of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which are designed to serve individuals who struggle with both substance abuse and mental illnesses, and would increase rural counseling services in order to better serve greater Minnesota.
Community Prosperity: I agree with the Walz administration that prosperity and opportunity for all Minnesotans starts at the local and community level. Included in the “community prosperity” section is a proposed expansion of access to affordable housing through a $170 million deposit into the preservation of existing affordable housing options and for the creation of new ones. There is a much-needed focus on housing stability for families with children to prevent homelessness, which is outlined through a combined effort of $10 million to serve families and non-profits in the community. The budget also includes increased investment in The Child Care Assistance Program through a $44 million proposal aimed at expanding this important program that helps more than 15,000 Minnesotan families pay for child care.
Additionally, Governor Walz proposes putting nearly $68 million toward establishing paid family and medical leave benefits for families who cannot afford to take unpaid leave after the birth of a child, to take care of a sick family member, or while recovering from a serious illness. In this section, it also addresses transportation needs and proposes replacing aging infrastructure and expanding public bus services across the metro.
Gun Violence Prevention: Governor Walz’s budget includes funding for bills that are aimed at reducing gun violence in Minnesota. The two measures outlined in the Governor’s proposal are the Extreme Risk Protection Orders bill (SF 0436), which would keep guns out of the hands of individuals who are deemed a threat to themselves or others, and a bill that would expand background checks to almost all private transfers of firearms (SF 0434). (A series of exceptions are available including between close family members). I appreciate the Governor’s continued support for the proposed legislation, which I am chief authoring in the Senate, which will help keep Minnesotans safe.
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, the House held hearings on both the Extreme Risk Protection Orders bill and the expanded background checks bill. This is the first time the ERPO bill received a public hearing and the first time since 2013 for the background check bill. I’ve been fighting for measures to reduce gun violence for years in the Senate. During this discussion, both proponents and opponents of the bills were allowed to take part in a public debate. As we learned from Wednesday’s event, holding public hearings on the state’s most pressing issues is an important part to addressing and finding solutions to issues that work for all Minnesotans. However, without public hearings, there can be no such progress. I will continue to do all that I can to push the Senate majority to hold public hearings on the matter.
Capitol Visitors
Senator Ron Latz met with a constituent during the Minnesota Nursing Association’s Day on the Hill.
Senator Latz in the News
Sun Sailor: St. Louis Park, Coon Rapids legislators promote net neutrality bill
CCX Media: Sen. Latz Renews Push For Net Neutrality
Thank you for your continued interest in the state legislature and our work serving Senate District 46. If you have any time-sensitive questions, comments, or concerns please call my office at 651-297-8065.
Regards,
Ron Latz