Tag: 2019 Minnesota Legislative Special Session

Minnesota House Approves Final State Government Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House approved the State Government, Elections, and Veterans & Military Affairs budget bill. The bill keeps voters’ political party private when voting in primaries, invests in Minnesota’s cyber security, and appropriates the full $6.6 million in federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funding to secure Minnesota’s elections.

“Minnesotans have set the bar high when it comes to civic engagement. This budget lives up to that high standard, investing in election accessibility and security to make sure that every voice is counted, and that Minnesotans’ privacy is preserved,” said State Government Chair Michael Nelson (DFL – Brooklyn Park).

Minnesota is increasingly likely to experience cyber security threats. In addition to $20 million over four years for state cyber security improvements, the budget includes Chair Nelson’s provision to unlock $6.6 million in federal funding to support state efforts in securing election infrastructure against cyber threats. Though all 49 other states appropriated the funding right away and it passed off the Minnesota House floor with a major bipartisan vote of 105-23, Senate Republicans did not agree to appropriate the full funding until the special session. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Final State Government Budget”

Minnesota House Expected to Approve New Budget for Education

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to approve a new E-12 education budget that makes honest investments in every student in every public school.

The original House E-12 Education budget included a $900 million increase this biennium, and would have provided a 3% and 2% increase to the general education formula, significant funding to decrease the special education cross-subsidy, historic funding to diversify our classrooms, post-secondary education opportunities (both college and career/technical), and funding to help schools meet the specific needs of students.

The Senate’s E-12 Education budget did not come close to matching the House investment, and would have provided only 0.5% and 0.5% increases to the general education formula, resulting in teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, program cuts, and higher property taxes.

“All Minnesota kids deserve a world-class education and that requires honest investment,” said Representative Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis), Chair of the Education Finance Division. “While there’s still more work to do for Minnesota students and teachers, House Democrats fought for the critical funding students need and deserve.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Expected to Approve New Budget for Education”

Minnesota House approves new Health and Human Services Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Early Saturday morning, the Minnesota House approved the final, bipartisan compromise version of the Omnibus Health and Human Services budget that protects health care for Minnesotans, including the funding for 1.2 million people’s health care.

“House DFLers have worked all session to ensure all Minnesotans can get the health care they need for a price they can afford. This budget protects health care for more than a million Minnesotans,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), Chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division. “Senate Republicans blocked very important initiatives to strengthen health care in Minnesota, including provisions to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. I remain committed to solutions to decrease cost, increase access, and improve the health of Minnesotans.”

Facing a June 30, 2019 sunset, House DFLers were successful in maintaining the funding stream for the state’s Health Care Access Fund. This revenue – a tax on health care services enacted 27 years ago – has funded MinnesotaCare, Medical Assistance, and other health programs. House DFLers were also successful in maintaining dental and vision coverage for low-income Minnesotans, and the budget makes the first increase in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) in 33 years. Continue reading “Minnesota House approves new Health and Human Services Budget”

Minnesota House Approves New Jobs and Energy Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a bipartisan Jobs and Energy budget on a vote of 89-39. Though Senate Republicans refused to negotiate on provisions that would have improved our clean energy economy and the economic security of working Minnesotans, such as the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act and Earned Sick and Safe Time, the budget does establish the toughest wage theft laws in the country while also investing in an innovative and equitable workforce.

“This is a bill full of good provisions, but there’s more we should have done for Minnesota’s working families,” said Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul), chair of the Jobs and Economic Development Division. “We fought hard to make sure that those who count on wage theft as a part of their business strategy are no longer getting a free pass in Minnesota. There are strides in funding and promoting equity in our workforce, support for our struggling industries, and investments in innovative job-creating programs. We’re also delivering the dignity of work to those who would otherwise struggle to find employment. It’s not perfect, and there’s certainly more work to be done on improving the economic security of all Minnesotans, but in the end this bill is a compromise that does well by our workers.”

With 39,000 Minnesotans experiencing wage theft in some form every year, the wage theft prevention and enforcement provisions in the budget were top priorities of the House DFL this session. Wage theft will become an established crime under the criminal code, and employers will be required to transparently state in writing the rate of pay, deductions, and pay periods for their employees. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves New Jobs and Energy Budget”

House Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The Minnesota House today passed a bipartisan tax bill that includes House DFL measures to maintain funding for the Health Care Access Fund, double the standard deduction, cut taxes for working families and Social Security recipients, increase Local Government Aid, and cut property taxes for farmers and small businesses. The bill will bring Minnesota into federal tax conformity.

“This tax bill provides significant tax cuts for hard working Minnesotans who struggle to raise a family, pick up their prescriptions, pay off student loans, make the property tax payment, or afford the basic necessities that allow them to thrive,” said Tax Committee Chair Paul Marquart (DFL – Dilworth). “This bipartisan compromise creates a fairer tax system that invests in families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses.”

The tax bill cuts income tax rates for the first time in two decades and doubles the standard deduction to $24,400. These provisions will cut taxes for lower- and middle-income earners while greatly simplifying the tax filing process. About 93% of Minnesota taxpayers will now take the standard deduction that will result in a 7% tax cut for the median family income. Continue reading “House Passes Bipartisan Tax Bill”

Minnesota House Approves cCompromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House approved the final version of the Omnibus Public Safety and Judiciary Finance bill early Saturday morning. The budget includes $125 million in new investments in the courts, correctional facilities, criminal apprehension, human rights protections and many other areas to keep Minnesotans safe and ensure they have access to justice.

Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked a pair of initiatives to curb senseless gun violence this session. Despite the support of as many as 90 percent of Minnesotans, Republicans refused to establish “red flag” laws and expand criminal background checks for firearm purchases. House DFLers remain committed to preventing gun violence and keeping Minnesotans safe at school, at work, while worshiping, or anywhere else in their communities.

“This session, through a community-centered lens, we’ve heard from many Minnesotans about the impact of our criminal justice system, and have highlighted numerous ways in which we can reimagine public safety in our state. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface in these efforts,” said Rep. Carlos Mariani, Chair of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division. “There’s still a great deal of work to do, especially regarding senseless gun violence, the need to decriminalize poverty and fixing the flaws in our probation system. The work on these and other issues is not over as we build a safer, more just state.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves cCompromise Public Safety and Judiciary Budget”

Minnesota House Approves New Budget for Transportation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday, the Minnesota House approved a new Transportation budget.

“Senate Republicans blocked revenue to fund transportation projects, which would have delivered sustainable, dedicated and long-term funding to build a modern transportation system that people and employers are asking for,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), Chair of the House Transportation Finance Committee.

“This bill maintains the status quo in a time when transportation investments are desperately needed. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that transportation is about people. It’s about these workers and their families. It’s about Minnesotans getting to their jobs, school, and families safely and efficiently on modern roads and transit systems built for the 21st century. We have more work to do for the people of Minnesota.”

Republicans blocked any proposals to raise new constitutionally dedicated funding for our roads and bridges, and the needed funding for transit. As a result, Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure will continue to deteriorate. 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-.”

House Democrats fought for permanent, sustainable, on-going, and dedicated funding for transportation that meets the needs of a growing state. Strong investments in transit remain a priority for the House DFL, despite Republican’s firm opposition to any increased revenue for transportation.

The bill can be found here and the spreadsheet can be found here.

Statement from Speaker Hortman on special session

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Tonight, Governor Walz called for a special session to be convened at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman released the following statement:

“We have a bipartisan agreement to pass a balanced state budget that provides strong funding for education and secures health care for more than one million Minnesotans. We look forward to completing this work to benefit Minnesotans with Republicans and Governor Walz.”