Tag: House DFL

Minnesota House DFL Releases Tax, Education, Labor and Workforce Budget Bills

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators released tax, education, labor, and workforce budget bills today. The legislation includes significant ongoing investments in education, prioritizes economic assistance to those most impacted by COVID-19, and asks big corporations and the wealthiest to pay their fair share in order to fund these needed investments. 

“The House DFL budget assists those most impacted by COVID-19: our students, workers, families, and small businesses,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Our budget raises progressive revenue to fund the priorities that Minnesotans value, help them weather what’s left of the pandemic and then thrive once it’s behind us. Minnesotans deserve a budget that will help them recover, not a Republican plan that makes unnecessary cuts and prioritizes those who did the best during COVID.” 

“Minnesotans have been working hard and making enormous sacrifices to survive the pandemic, and they need their state government to be there for them so they can emerge stronger,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “The rich and well-connected are doing better than ever, and they can afford to be part of the solution. Under the House DFL budget, the biggest corporations and richest Minnesotans will pay their fair share to help families and workers emerge stronger from the pandemic.”

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UBLC lawmakers announce 2021 Legislative Agenda

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On Wednesday, the United Black Legislative Caucus announced its 2021 Legislative Agenda aimed at eliminating racial inequities and helping Black Minnesotans bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The priorities are aimed at addressing disparities regarding economic opportunity, housing, education, health and human services, public safety, transportation, and environmental justice.

“The challenges facing Black Minnesotans are numerous, persistent, and urgent, and have been greatly compounded by COVID-19’s impacts on their health and economic security,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), UBLC co-chair. “Black Minnesotans deserve bold progress to eliminate disparities rather than incremental changes, and this agenda represents actions lawmakers can take this year to ensure everyone can share in our state’s success.”  

“Even before the pandemic, Minnesota had some of the worst racial disparities in the nation,” said Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL- Mendota Heights), co-chair of the UBLC. “The agenda we are bringing forward today is an important step forward in closing critical gaps for Black Minnesotans to ensure we all have an opportunity to succeed and thrive. There are significant annual economic costs to the state by failing to address these disparities and it continues to lead to a less prosperous Minnesota for all.”

The agenda includes many important actions lawmakers can take to strengthen the future for Black Minnesotans such as:

  • ·Removes barriers to economic security, including high unemployment rates, a significant wage gap, barriers to starting a business, and systemic roadblocks towards building generational wealth.
  • Tackles the systemic racism Black Minnesotans have faced in homeownership through redlining, displacement, and barriers to capital, in addition to facing discrimination as renters.
  • Invests in students to help them achieve, including measures to address Minnesota’s opportunity gap – the worst in the nation – and COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black learners.
  • Addresses key health disparities, including poor maternal and child health outcomes.
  • Ensures investments in transportation infrastructure consider the needs of Black communities toward our entire region’s success.
  • Focuses on reforming Minnesota’s legal system to address disproportionately harmful impacts on the Black community.
  • Delivers economic justice by recognizing Black neighborhoods are disproportionately subject to air and water pollution and live and work in areas more vulnerable to certain climate-related disasters.

At the start of the current legislative session, membership of the UBLC grew from six to 10, with eight House members and two senators, highlighting an increasing diversity among lawmakers better reflective of their constituencies. The UBLC’s legislative priorities build upon the work of the House Select Committee on Racial Justice – which Rep. Moran and Rep. Richardson co-chaired in 2020 – which issued a series of recommendations to address systemic racism.

More information about the UBLC’s priorities can be accessed on this fact sheet. Video of the caucus’s press conference will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.

House Democrats propose new pandemic assistance to help laid-off hospitality and service sector workers

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL-Bloomington) and House Democrats are proposing new legislationto help laid-off hospitality and service sector workers return to their jobs. It’s one of many immediate actions that House Democrats are proposing to respond to the needs of workers, families, and small businesses hit hardest by the pandemic. High-quality video and audio of this virtual press conference will be available here this afternoon.

“In 2020, many of us had to cancel our travel plans for graduation, summer vacation, Thanksgiving, Christmas and so on. However, behind these visible personal impacts are our hospitality workers that are hit hard by the pandemic due to restaurant, hotel and airport layoffs.” said Rep. Carlson. “We need to pass legislation that will create a pathway forward to economic recovery for Minnesotans, especially communities of color who make up 71% of displaced hospitality workers. My new bill will ensure that these workers are heard and supported by their state government.”

Rep. Carlson’s bill applies to Minnesotans employed by hotels, airports, and event centers; the facilities attached to them, including restaurants, bars, and retail; as well as related services, including maintenance, security, ticketing, ground-handling, and food and beverage services. It also applies to an enterprise providing maintenance and security services to office, retail, or commercial buildings, like a staffing agency.

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House DFLers Introduce New Legislation to Defend and Strengthen Our Democracy

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House DFL leaders and legislators introduced new legislation to defend and strengthen our democracy, which has been tested by disinformation, division, and attacks on voters that culminated in a violent insurrection at our nation’s Capital. The bill, authored by Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL – Minneapolis), aims to build a strong, inclusive democracy that works for Minnesotans of every race, region, political party, and generation. 

“This is a critical moment for our democracy,” said Rep. Greenman. “As Minnesotans and Americans, we must work together to protect and expand the right to vote and build a resilient, inclusive democracy centered on peoples’ needs and voices.”

In response to escalating attempts to undermine free and fair elections, the bill defends Minnesota voters and our democratic institutions. It prohibits intimidating and harassing voters or elections officials and using deceptive practices to disenfranchise voters. The bill also ensures state and local elections officials can access the critical federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds they need for election security and infrastructure. 

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Minnesota House Democrats call on President Trump, Senate Majority Leader McConnell to return to COVID negotiation

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Tuesday, DFL members and members-elect of the Minnesota House of Representatives sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling on them to return to negotiations for COVID-19 economic relief legislation.  

“The election is over. A record number of Americans expressed their voice through vote and the results are clear. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 global pandemic is far from over,” wrote the DFL legislators. “In Minnesota and across our country, the virus is surging and people are suffering. We urge you to return to the negotiating table to help people who are desperate for your leadership amidst a pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 2,700 Minnesotans and 200,000 Americans.” 

The letter comes at a time when Minnesota is experiencing record-breaking cases of COVID-19, hospitals are under enormous strain, homelessness is increasing, Minnesotans are struggling to afford their rent, and small businesses continue to struggle in the midst of a global pandemic. All the while, a new COVID relief package has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and awaits action from the U.S. Senate.  

Along with urging action on a new COVID relief package, legislators are requesting more flexibility to utilize resources allocated to state and local governments in the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

“The need for the pandemic response in Minnesota will continue well into 2021 and the lack of flexibility to continue using CARES Act funds for expenses beyond Dec. 30 will impede our response as we confront a significant state budget shortfall. We request that you approve an extension so that states like Minnesota can continue to utilize dollars approved in the CARES Act to combat the virus and help weather these economic storms.”  

The letter and its 44 signatories can be found here. 

Minnesota House Advances Resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota House of Representatives committee yesterday advanced a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, with a final vote on the House floor likely to occur Monday, July 20. Click here to download a copy.

Authored by Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights), the declaration applies to the entire state and affirms that the Minnesota House will be an active participant in the dismantling of racism. It creates a House Select Committee on Minnesota’s response tasked with analyzing legislative work through an intersectional race equity lens.

“Black, Indigenous, and people of color have known for generations that the systems in this country were designed to exclude them,” said Rep. Richardson. “The devastation we are seeing in our communities today is the result of those systems playing out for hundreds of years.” 

The resolution states that racism is embedded in the foundation of America, beginning with chattel slavery​ in 1619, and that much of the Black experience in America has been endured under slavery and​ Jim Crow, which created preferential opportunities for white people while subjecting people of​ color to hardships and disadvantages in every area of life.

“The Minnesota House as an institution can and should play an active role in dismantling systems that have denied dignity, respect, and compassion to so many,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “Our nation is facing a historic moment and the Minnesota House plans to be on the side of justice and human rights.” 

Video of today’s Rules Committee discussion of the resolution will soon be available here.

 

Minnesota House DFL Releases Jobs & Local Projects and Critical Economic Development Legislation

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA— Yesterday, the House DFL released a Jobs and Local Projects — also known as bonding — and tax proposal. The critically-needed economic development legislation contains $1.8 billion in public safety and health renovations, repairs, and replacement of public assets like higher education institutions, clean water infrastructure, correctional facilities, roads and bridges, parks and trails, municipal buildings and more. The bill would create approximately 27,540 jobs according to a revised 2015 model from the Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

A copy of the proposal can be found here. A spreadsheet of the projects included is available here. The bill will receive a public remote hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday.

“Many of the projects contained in this proposal today are the direct results of what we saw and heard on our statewide tours,” said Chair Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown). “We are responding to the emergencies of today, and I’m hopeful we can deliver more sorely needed investments in a future session to prepare us for the needs of tomorrow.” Continue reading “Minnesota House DFL Releases Jobs & Local Projects and Critical Economic Development Legislation”

New Benefits for Farmers Available Starting Today

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA. — New state benefits go into effect today for farmers who are facing economic hardship, including grain storage safety grants to address rising work-related accidents and deaths on the farm.

“Using federal CARES Act dollars, the Legislature worked together on a bipartisan basis this year to invest in mental health resources, prevent tragic accidents, expand MDA services, and quickly respond to threats to our food supply,” said Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), the bill’s chief author and chair of the House Ag and Finance Division. “We know these actions will not fully address the needs of Minnesota’s farmers and producers during these challenging times, but it does provide vitally needed support and assistance.”

The bill uses federal CARES Act dollars to invest in farmer mental health needs, including suicide prevention training and awareness of mental health resources. To enhance capacity for services and support to farmers for their economic well-being, it invests in essential services provided by the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Advocate program. The bill funds the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab equipment which is needed to respond to poultry and livestock diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF).

Specific details:

  • $675,000 of the General Fund allocation in fiscal year 2021 to the Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Technology Transfer program at the University of Minnesota is for Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory testing equipment and supplies necessary to respond to avian influenza, salmonella and other turkey-related diseases.
  • $100,000 one-time General Fund expenditure in fiscal year 2021 for farm safety grant and outreach programs, with $50,000 for grain storage facility safety equipment grants and $50,000 for outreach, which can include “creating and presenting a grain storage facility safety curriculum.”
  • Reestablishment of a tractor rollover prevention grant program that expired in 2019 takes effect July 1, 2020. It permits the Agriculture Department to award grants to farmers and schools that retrofit tractors built before 1987 with eligible rollover protective structures.

 

House DFL’s PROMISE Act gets warm reception at Lake Street public forum

House DFL logoMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — State lawmakers hosted a public forum about the Promise Act at a Lake Street business today. The House DFL’s comprehensive rebuilding and recovery plan for Lake, Midway, and Broadway is inspired by the Minnesotans who built, sustain, and live around these vibrant corridors. “Promise” stands for Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs.

Full video of the event is available here:

https://www.facebook.com/mnhousedfl/videos/601770510753986/?vh=e&d=n

This month, state lawmakers participated in tours of businesses and neighborhoods led by people most impacted by the civil unrest that followed George Floyd’s murder. The Promise Act is informed and guided by what lawmakers heard and saw during these tours. According to public records, more than 1,500 buildings were destroyed or damaged.

“The Promise Act is a promise we are making to the neighborhoods most impacted by civil unrest after a police officer murdered George Floyd,” said Rep. Mohamud Noor, the bill’s chief author. “It’s a promise to have the backs of people of color, and indigenous and immigrant-owned businesses built from the ground up. It’s a promise to choose vibrancy and culture over gentrified redevelopment as we rebuild. It’s a promise to make sure the people who live and work in these special corridors are the ones who get to decide what their future looks like.”

The Promise Act establishes a commission to review the actions, choices, orders, and responses of local government, police and military authorities, and elected officials involved in the response to the civil unrest that occurred during May and June of 2020. The 10-member panel would be appointed by Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Lorie Gildea. The Republican-controlled Senate has launched a partisan probe without input or involvement of DFL lawmakers, including members of the People of Color and Indiginous (POCI) Caucus.

“These impacted communities and businesses are the economic and cultural centers of our cities, and we have to help them in a way that promotes equity and prevents gentrification,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “We have seen and heard from so many people and so many businesses devastated by damage caused during the civil unrest. The extensive loss in these communities requires us to take urgent action and deliver results.”

The Legislature is expected to convene for a new special session in July, the next opportunity to pass legislation like the Promise Act and police accountability.

 

House DFL legislators announce economic aid plan for destroyed, damaged businesses

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House DFL legislators who represent the most impacted areas from civil unrest announced the PROMISE Act — a comprehensive plan to help businesses rebuild and recover, many of which are Black, immigrant, and communities of color-owned.

PROMISE stands for Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs. The PROMISE Act is a top special session priority for DFL legislators and is inspired by what many saw and heard from community members and business owners during tours of property damage in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

“We must take immediate action to support and rebuild our wounded communities. The Promise Act will support our communities in an equitable and holistic way so we can rebuild for and by the community,” said Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL – Minneapolis). “These commercial hubs are the lifeblood of our minority and immigrant communities. By rebuilding with an intentional focus on equity we can avoid the devastating effects of gentrification.”

The legislation would:

  • Create a special panel to review cases and provide direct compensation to impacted individuals.
  • Partner with cities and community organizations to create economic relief programs for impacted businesses and organizations.
  • Give local units of government flexibility and tools to prevent gentrification.
  • Direct the Minnesota Department of Commerce to assist business owners, and require insurance companies to notify the department of any rejected claims.
  • Help with the rising cost of leases for eligible residential and commercial properties.
  • Eliminate the sales tax on the purchase of construction materials used to rebuild damaged or destroyed properties.
  • Provide property and sales tax cuts for eligible properties.
  • Establish a “Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Corporation” to create a long-term plan for equity-driven redevelopment and transformation.

“While we work on long-needed and overdue racial justice and police accountability legislation, we must also help our impacted businesses and communities recover and rebuild,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “These are strong economic and cultural centers of our cities, and we have to help them in a way that promotes equity and prevents gentrification. The extensive property damage and loss in these communities requires us to take urgent action and deliver results.” 

“Our communities and these businesses, many of them minority-owned and already struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, need resources to rebuild,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Today, we’re putting forward a comprehensive plan to help those impacted, that puts equity at the center of our recovery efforts. The Legislature must move quickly to help these communities recover. I want to thank Majority Leader Winkler for agreeing to lead this important work, and the Minneapolis and St. Paul legislative delegations and city staff for their collaborative work on this proposal.”