Tag: Minnesota House of Representatives

Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — The current and incoming members of the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus have elected Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center) as chair and Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL-Minneapolis) as vice chair.

With 16 POCI legislators scheduled to be sworn into office January 5, 2021, the incoming Legislature is the most diverse in history. POCI legislators are serving as chairs for seven of 30 House committees, another historic first.

“I’m honored to be chair of this caucus,” said Chair Vang. “Our state’s growing diversity has never seen itself reflected at the Minnesota Legislature and for the first time our growing caucus of 16 POCI legislators is at the representation we have never seen before. I’m excited to lead this caucus with Vice Chair, Representative Hodan Hassan, to further all our communities for the State of Minnesota.”

Continue reading “Minnesota Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous Caucus elect new leadership”

POCI Caucus Statement on the Death of George Floyd

We, the members of the MN Legislative People of Color and Indigenous Peoples Caucus (POCI Caucus) express our condemnation and outrage at the killing of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis Police officer Monday, May 25. While we do not know all the details of his death, what we do know is horrifically disturbing and seems an all-too familiar feature of the lives of people of color and Indigenous people – especially of black men – in interactions with law enforcement. That reality is utterly unacceptable and we call on it to end.

The POCI Caucus expresses our sympathy and care for Mr. Floyd’s family and friends in losing a loved one. No family or community should undergo the pain you are experiencing, we share in your loss.

Here is what we’ve been informed: Mr. Floyd died after police officers physically detained him following a report of a non-violent forgery crime. All indications are that he was unarmed and posed no physical threat to anyone. In an ensuing struggle with officers, he was pulled to the ground while one officer knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck for up to seven minutes. Mr. Floyd could be heard saying repeatedly that he could not breathe and begging to not be killed. Bystanders called for the officer to relent, telling him that he was preventing Mr. Floyd from breathing. A citizen captured these moments on a cell phone video as the officer continued to kneel on Mr. Floyd’s neck and as blood trickled from his face and urine flowed from his body. Mr. Floyd lost consciousness and EMTs arrived shortly afterwards to transport him to HCMC where he was pronounced dead. Continue reading “POCI Caucus Statement on the Death of George Floyd”

Minnesota House of Representatives working in new ways to address pandemic and economic hardships

House DFL logo

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives are temporarily working from outside the Minnesota State Capitol. In conformity with Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, State Representatives are engaging in telework rather than in-person work at the State Capitol. Legislators in the Minnesota House of Representatives are convening informal working groups to discuss measures to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions.

“The members of the Minnesota House of Representatives are working hard on behalf of the people of Minnesota during this crisis,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “While we follow the guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health to keep people safe, we are convening informal working groups to discuss emergency measures related to COVID-19 and to the mission-critical work of the Legislature this session. We are working to develop opportunities for members of the public to weigh in and offer their feedback in a way that is protective of their health.” Continue reading “Minnesota House of Representatives working in new ways to address pandemic and economic hardships”

State’s top DHS official pitches plan to rebuild trust in troubled department

Jodi Harpstead took over as commissioner of the Department of Human Services in September.

Since her arrival, most news about the department has been negative: more than $100 million in overpayments or refunds; breaking state procurement law more than 200 times, including letting vendors and grantees begin work before a contract was signed; employees spending money on products and/or services without prior approval, although there’s been no evidence money was misspent; allegations of whistleblower retaliation; and the recently closed investigation into former Inspector General Carolyn Ham.

Ham, placed on paid administrative leave for many months, was not disciplined and has been reassigned to the general counsel’s office.

 Read more at Session Daily

Majority Leader statement on need for responsible vaping regulation

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statement responding to the risks associated with unregulated vaping products.

“The risks of unregulated vaping products on the market have emerged as a serious issue, and it demonstrates what happens when products are introduced into the marketplace without consumer protections. As we look to change Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis laws, we want to be sure to protect the health and safety of consumers with a responsible public health approach. Our response to vaping should be similarly deliberate.” 

Statements from House HHS Chairs on 2020 Individual & Small Group Rate Release

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA  – Today, the Minnesota Department of Commerce released final, approved 2020 health insurance rates for the individual and small group markets. Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division, and Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, released the following statements:

“The rates announced today are an improvement, but the fact remains that health care remains far too expensive for Minnesotans, and they deserve solutions to make it more affordable,” Rep. Liebling said. “Access to affordable health care is a basic pillar for economic security, but with high premiums, high deductibles, and high prices for prescription drugs, this is anything but a certainty for many people. House DFLers will keep working to ensure all Minnesotans can access the care they need, when they need it, for an affordable price.” Continue reading “Statements from House HHS Chairs on 2020 Individual & Small Group Rate Release”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on health insurance rate release

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on today’s approved 2020 rates for Minnesota’s individual and small group health insurance plans.

“All Minnesotans deserve access to affordable, high-quality health care,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “While there are short-term positives in today’s news, this doesn’t help Minnesotans struggling with high deductibles and high out-of-pocket costs for necessities like prescription drugs. House DFLers are committed to making affordable health care a reality for everyone.”

“The Republicans’ only plan for health care — writing a blank check to insurance companies — isn’t sustainable,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Last session, House DFLers passed measures to expand access, reduce health care costs, and reduce prescription drug prices while holding Big Pharma accountable. These policies are how we ensure Minnesotans have access to the high quality health care they need.”

Reps. Howard, Gomez announce legislative effort to ban for-profit ICE detention centers

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – State Representatives Michael Howard (DFL-Richfield) and Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis) today announced plans to introduce legislation next session banning for-profit ICE detention centers from operating in the State of Minnesota. MPR News reported today that a private prison company in Appleton, MN is actively lobbying public officials to repurpose its facility as an immigrant detention center (“Detainees wanted: Minnesota’s closed private prison eyes a deal with ICE”).

“Profiting from the detention of immigrant families is immoral, wrong, and has no place in the State of Minnesota,” said Rep. Howard. “The aggressive and expanding presence of ICE in my community and across the state is causing trauma for too many families and that will only worsen if we permit more cages to be built and operated by a for-profit company. We need to say loud and clear – not in Minnesota.” Continue reading “Reps. Howard, Gomez announce legislative effort to ban for-profit ICE detention centers”

House DFL Leadership Statement on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – House DFL Leadership released the following statements today in response to Governor Tim Walz calling on Senate Republicans to hold hearings on two common-sense gun violence prevention measures that the DFL House Majority passed but were blocked by the Republican-led Senate.

“The DFL Majority in the Minnesota House passed two broadly-supported, common-sense gun safety measures to make our families and communities safer — criminal background checks and red flag legislation,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Minnesotans have been loud and clear that they want the legislature to take action to address senseless gun violence. The House has responded to this call to action. Senate Republicans should listen to Minnesotans and join the DFL-led House in supporting and passing these measures so we can send them to Governor Walz’s desk.” Continue reading “House DFL Leadership Statement on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation”