Tag: Minnesota House of Representatives

Consumer-focused eldercare reform bill to be considered on House Floor Friday

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – A bill with strong protections against abuse, neglect, assault, and other maltreatment in Minnesota assisted living facilities and nursing homes authored by Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth) is scheduled for a vote Friday in the Minnesota House. Many of the protections in the bill, HF 90, emerged last year from an Elder Abuse Consumer Workgroup convened by AARP Minnesota and crafted with the assistance of organizations such as Elder Voice Family Advocates and Legal Aid.

The House Floor session convenes at 10 a.m. with an expected recess for legislative caucuses, after which the House will proceed to the Calendar for the Day. Livestreaming is available here.

WHAT: House HHS Policy Committee hearing on HF 90, a bill to strengthen the rights and protections of Minnesotans residing in assisted living facilities and nursing homes
WHO: Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth), bill author
WHEN: Friday, May 10, 2019
WHERE: House Chamber, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul

Rep. Huot Introduces Legislation to Limit ‘Stay Away Pay’ for Public Employees under Investigation

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Representative John Huot (DFL- Rosemount) today introduced legislation that would cap paid leave for public employees with pending investigations for misconduct, malfeasance, and crimes. Rep. Huot drafted the bill in response to an incident involving a former Apple Valley Fire Chief who was under investigation for sexual contact with a subordinate employee. The fire chief received approximately $75,000 while on leave.

“Constituents were calling and asking what we could do about the misuse of these public dollars,” Rep. Huot remarked. “This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and I’m committed to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to get it done.”

Representative Huot’s legislation would place a 90 day cap on the time public employees can be placed on paid leave. House Republicans have already indicated their support of the proposal.

Transportation Conference Committee Co-Chair Hornstein announces first public meeting for Monday afternoon

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The joint House/Senate Conference Committee tasked with developing a compromise state transportation budget will meet for the first time Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in room 200 of the State Office Building. The committee meeting, to be chaired by Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), will include an overview of each chamber’s transportation budget and a review of the funding differences. Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher and several others will provide testimony to the committee on the state’s road and bridge needs.

WHAT: First meeting of the House/Senate Conference Committee on the Transportation Budget, HF 1555
WHO: Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL – Minneapolis), committee members
WHERE: Room 200, State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul
WHEN: 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 6

The House DFL Transportation budget makes honest and responsible investments to fix Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and transit through five cent gas tax increase per year for four years.

Jobs & Energy Conference Committee Holds First Public Hearing with Low Senate Attendance

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA  — The joint House/Senate Jobs & Energy Conference Committee held their first public hearing this afternoon. With all House DFL members present, Senate GOP Co-Chair Eric Pratt was the only senator in attendance, and left before testimony concluded. The committee heard testimony on the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, Earned Sick and Safe Time, and Wage Theft Prevention and Enforcement.

“Minnesotans expect the Legislature to complete their work in a timely manner, and there’s no time to play political games with the future of working Minnesotans,” said Co-Chair Tim Mahoney (DFL – St. Paul). “We were able to hear testimony on important provisions that protect wages and invest in Minnesota’s working families. These are chief components of the House DFL budget, and the testimony on them warrants the attention of our Senate colleagues.”

Testifiers for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act included Rep. Laurie Halverson, the act’s author, and DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, who offered the strong support of the Walz Administration for the act. Rep. John Lesch offered testimony on his Earned Sick and Safe Time legislation, and Co-Chair Tim Mahoney testified on his Wage Theft Prevention and Enforcement provision with Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nancy Leppink. Continue reading “Jobs & Energy Conference Committee Holds First Public Hearing with Low Senate Attendance”

MONDAY: Taxes Conference Committee Co-Chair Marquart Announces Public Hearing

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The joint House/Senate Taxes Conference Committee will meet on Monday at 9 a.m. The committee meeting, co-chaired by Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL – Dilworth), will include an overview of the House and Senate bills and a side by side comparison.

WHAT: Meeting of the House/Senate Conference Committee on the state tax bill, HF 2125
WHO: Rep. Paul Marquart (DFL – Dilworth), committee members
WHERE: Room G-15, Capitol
WHEN: 9 a.m., Monday, May 6

The House DFL tax bill holds corporations accountable, closing loopholes they have taken advantage of to get out of paying their fair share. While income inequality continues to grow in Minnesota, the DFL tax bill would tax corporations’ foreign profits in order to invest in working families, farmers, small businesses and seniors.

The Senate GOP plan overwhelmingly favors corporations and the wealthy. It continues persistent underfunding of schools, which has contributed to race, geography, and income-based opportunity gaps.

Minnesota House Approves Legacy Amendment Appropriations

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House approved legislation to appropriate $630 million from Legacy Amendment funds. The legislation (HF 653) was introduced by Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL – North St. Paul) and passed 100 – 26.

“Minnesotans care about our state and cherish the things that make it such a special place to live,” said Rep. Lillie, Chair of the House Legacy Finance Division. “Thanks to their support, the Legacy Amendment has benefited communities across the state for a decade. Let’s build on that success and preserve our great outdoors and rich heritage for future generations.”

In 2008, Minnesotans voted in favor of adopting the Legacy Amendment. The constitutional amendment increased sales taxes by three-eighths of one percent for 25 years and divided the revenue between four funds. The Outdoor Heritage Fund and Clean Water Fund each receive 33 percent of the revenue. The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and Parks and Trails Fund receive 19.75 percent and 14.25 percent, respectively. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Legacy Amendment Appropriations”

Minnesota House Approves Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House approved a plan to appropriate $64 million from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. The legislation (HF 2032), was introduced by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) and received broad bipartisan support.

“Minnesotans are proud of our state’s natural beauty and abundant natural resources,” said Rep. Hansen. “The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has supported thousands of environmental projects across the state since it was established in 1988 with the overwhelming support of Minnesota voters. This legislation will build on that success and protect our environment and wildlife for future generations of Minnesotans.”

In 1988, Minnesota voters overwhelmingly chose to adopt a constitutional amendment that established the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). 40 percent of the proceeds from the Minnesota State Lottery are deposited into the fund each year. The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), a bipartisan group of legislators and citizens, provides funding recommendations to the legislature. The revenue is then allocated to projects that preserve, restore, and enhance Minnesota’s environment and natural resources. Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund”