Senator Latz pushes back on the canceled hearings for police reform

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Senator Ron Latz (DFL-Saint Louis Park), ranking DFL Lead on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee releases the following statement in regards to the police reform hearings that Senate Republicans have promised to hold this session:

“Yesterday, the POST Board voted in favor of banning officers from serving who belong to extremist organizations including those groups espousing white supremacy. An amendment to do just that was defeated by Senate Republicans when offered to the Judiciary bill. Senate Republicans said they condemn white supremacists but wouldn’t vote to do so. Hate groups don’t get a say in our state. We must keep moving forward to enact reforms like the Minnesota POST Board did.

“Sen. Gazelka has now walked back on his promise to our citizens. Pushing the issue into a conference committee is a cop out: it will have limited participation and essentially cuts out a large contingent of Senators who deserve to be heard on these issues. Nevertheless, I continue to be ready to do the work we are elected to do and will do so in the conference committee as well.”

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: April 23, 2021

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CAPITOL UPDATE APRIL 23, 2021

This week the Senate continued to pass budget bills. Last week, the Senate passed the Judiciary and Public Safety omnibus – the committee on which I serve as the ranking DFL member. The committee was given a $90 million target, which allows for some investments in the state’s court and corrections system, and in some public safety requests. Of the target, $20 million was reserved for disaster assistance for our local communities.  

The bill, however, is a stark portrait of what the Senate Majority’s priorities aren’t; the bill contains no policing and criminal justice reform, no expansion of proven justice programs, and little in the way of reducing the intersectional causes behind crime and recidivism.  

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Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: April 21, 2021

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Small Business Administration Restaurant Revitalization Fund Announcement

The City of St. Louis Park has provided this updated information you may find useful, or could share with local businesses:

The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) at the Small Business Administration (SBA) was established in March 2021. Through the RRF, restaurants, bars, caterers, bakeries, brewpubs, and other eligible businesses can access funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss, subject to program limits.

The SBA is not yet accepting applications for the RRF, but information about eligibility, funding amounts, uses of funds, and a sample application form are available in English at www.sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes.

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Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: April 9, 2021

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CAPITOL UPDATE APRIL 9, 2021

Latz Leads Successful Effort to Add Criminal Sexual Conduct Statutory Reforms to Judiciary & Public Safety Budget Bill

In March of this year the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in the case State v. Khalil that under current Minnesota law, an individual charged with sexual assault of a person that is mentally incapacitated due to consumption of drugs or alcohol may not be found guilty if the victim is voluntarily intoxicated, due to a poorly written definition found in state statute. This decision received significant media and social media attention and brought renewed focus to ongoing bipartisan efforts to reform Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes, found in much of the recommendations of the Criminal Sexual Conduct Statutory Reform Working Group.

On Wednesday I joined Senate and House colleagues in announcing a fix to this statute with bipartisan support and stakeholder agreement. On Thursday, my amendment to encapsulate the working group’s recommendations was adopted in the Judiciary Committee.

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Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislators and Advocates Call for Strengthened Sexual Assault Laws

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate urged swift adoption of legislation to comprehensively update Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct code to address contradictions, loopholes, and other shortcomings which create barriers for survivors to receive justice. The push follows a recent Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that when prosecuting a sexual assault case, “mentally incapacitated” doesn’t include a person who became intoxicated after voluntarily consuming alcohol.

“Minnesotans are rightfully demanding action, as a result of the decision, to ensure those who experience the unthinkable trauma of a sexual assault while voluntarily intoxicated have a pathway to receive justice,” said Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview), the bill’s chief author in the House. “While the recent Supreme Court decision highlighted the voluntary intoxication loophole, there are other problems with our current laws that don’t adequately protect victims of sexual assault, particularly children and those subject to sexual extortion. I’m grateful for the bipartisan support for the solutions before us to ensure accountability for those responsible for these reprehensible actions.”

Last year, a legislatively created working group thoroughly examined the current criminal sexual conduct law and offered a comprehensive series of recommendations which are included in Rep. Moller and Sen. Senjem’s legislation. The bill makes a variety of changes to the state’s sexual assault laws including:

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Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 12, 2021

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CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 12, 2021

Today marks the first policy deadline in the Senate and House. Although committee meetings are growing longer, I was able to met virtually with several constituent groups to learn what issues are on their minds. AFSCME members spoke on the importance of Paid Family and Medical Leave and expanding broadband, both issues I have supported.

Our wonderful advocates from Living Well and Hammer explained on of their priorities this session is SF1319, a bill to provide additional money to the home and community based healthcare providers to deal with additional Covid19 issues.

SD46 Disability Services Day Advocates


I also met with Girls Scouts from St. Louis Park, who spoke about the way Girl Scouts has helped them overcome challenges. They also love the camping and horseback riding experiences, and of course, the cookies.

SD46 Girl Scouts and Leaders


Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness

The Senate passed bipartisan legislation Thursday to match the federal government’s tax-exclusion for forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans received by businesses in 2020. About 102,400 businesses received $11.3 billion worth of loans in Minnesota. Typically, forgiven loans are taxable at the state and federal level, but Congress made special exceptions last year. Conforming to that measure will cost Minnesota $409 million over the next two years. 

The bill also includes a $28 million tax exemption for unemployed Minnesotans who collected the additional $600-per-week Pandemic Unemployment Compensation approved by Congress for 17 weeks in 2020. The Senate’s bill allows eligible Minnesotans to subtract 18% of these payments from income for 2020. 

I voted in favor of the bill.

Policy Deadlines 

Today marks the first policy deadline for the 2021 legislative session. Any legislation considered further must have passed out of policy committees in either the Senate or the House. Friday, March 19th is the second policy deadline. Senate bills and House bills containing policy items must be out of policy only committees in both bodies.

Updated Guidelines

Today Governor Walz announced an ease in many restrictions as the vaccine roll out continues. Below is additional information to guide your decision making in the coming months.

Brighter Days Are Here



The longer days are giving us a hint of the summer to come, and while we have not eradicated Covid19, more and more Minnesotans are being vaccinated. Please continue to follow best practices: regular hand washing, social distancing when possible, and wearing your mask for yourself and your neighbors.

Regards,

Ron Latz

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 7, 2021

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CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 5, 2021

This week I continued my virtual constituent meetings and committee hearings. It continues to be an honor to serve even in a remote capacity. The pace of session is increasing as the policy deadlines approach and committee hearings are being extended into evening hours. 

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Constituents Clifford Kashtan MD, Jennie Eldridge Calderón, and myself 

Committee Updates

This week in Judiciary Committee we heard legislation intended to close a loophole in Minnesota’s criminal statutes dealing with torture.

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Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: March 1, 2021

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CAPITOL UPDATE MARCH 1, 2021

Last week the Senate dealt with several important matters that will impact our district and state. The key items are detailed below for your information. As for me, I met with several constituent and stakeholder groups, all virtually of course. Last week’s meetings included Epilepsy MN advocates and constituents participating in Fund Our Futures, an organization including members of ISAIAH, Education Minnesota, AFL-CIO, MAPE, Take Action, and several other groups who came together to promote strong on-going investments in infrastructure, students, and working families.   

Gun Reform

As the chief author of several gun reform measures, I met with House authors Rep. Dave Pinto and Rep. Kelly Moller, and stakeholders from the Police Chiefs, Sheriffs, Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association, and County Attorneys. These bills, known as Extreme Risk Protection Orders (SF1431) and Firearm Purchase Background Checks (SF894) face no future in the GOP controlled Senate. Despite the reasonable measures and broad support, the opposition remains strong in the legislature. I continue to work with advocate groups including Protect MN, Everytown for Gun Safety, and a new group Gun Sense, to broaden support for safe gun laws. My joint press release on my most recent reform measure may be found here.

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Rep. Moller and Sen. Latz introduce legislation enabling Extreme Risk Protection Orders to prevent gun violence

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview) and Sen. Ron Latz (DFL – St. Louis Park) officially introduced legislation to provide for Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), an effective tool to prevent tragedies as a result of gun violence. The bill would allow members of law enforcement or a family member to petition a court for the temporary removal of an individual’s access to firearms if a court determines they may be a threat to themselves or others.

“We should all agree that when someone has demonstrated a danger to themselves or others, firearms should be removed from the situation. ERPOs are a proven method to allow proactive, preemptive action to save lives,” said Rep. Moller. “On average, we lose one Minnesotan per day due to suicide by gun, and Minnesotans should have this tool available to them when they recognize a loved one is in crisis. All Minnesotans deserve to be safe in their homes, in their workplaces, at school, and everywhere else in their communities. By enacting an ERPO law in Minnesota, I’m confident we will prevent senseless tragedies.”

“Extreme Risk Protection Orders would equip law enforcement, family members and courts with the necessary tools to step in before warning signs spiral into tragedies,” said Senator Latz. “Often, they are among those who first see or learn of a person in crisis. If law enforcement or family members find a person who poses a significant or immediate danger of bodily harm or death to themselves or other persons by possessing a firearm, a petition for relief – if approved by a judge with due process protections — would require that person to give up their guns while the order is in effect, and help prevent a senseless tragedy from occurring.”

The Minnesota House approved the legislation in 2019, however, Senate Republicans blocked it from becoming law.

In the 19 states which have adopted them, plus the District of Columbia, laws enabling ERPOs – also known as “red flag” laws – have demonstrated success in preventing community violence, mass shootings, suicide, and domestic violence. A 2019 study found 21 cases in which ERPOs were used to remove guns from individuals who had threatened mass shootings in California. In the first three months of Maryland’s ERPO law, firearms were successfully removed from four separate individuals who threatened mass shootings.

ERPOs are also an especially effective tool to prevent suicides. Nationwide, the success rate of suicide by gun is nearly 90%, extremely higher than other methods. In Minnesota, 79% of all firearm deaths are due to suicide. A study of Connecticut’s law estimates for every 10 to 20 guns removed via ERPO, one life is saved.

In the House, the bill will be referred to the Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Policy and Finance Committee. In the Senate, it has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. A copy of the legislation can be accessed here.

Sen. Ron Latz (SD46) Update: February 19, 2021

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CAPITOL UPDATE FEBRUARY 19, 2021

This week, SD46 members hosted the first of several virtual town halls. Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and submit questions. The full video is available here and future dates will be announced through this listserv again as well.

VACCINE CONNECTOR

Vaccines continue to become available and now all Minnesotans have an option to enroll and be notified when they are eligible with the new vaccine connector launched this week. You can visit this site here.

ST LOUIS PARK TENT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM 

St. Louis Park-based businesses may apply for a 50% reimbursement for rental or purchase of an outdoor tent or other eligible expenses through a new City of St. Louis Park program. To be eligible, businesses must be under specific restrictions from current state emergency executive orders such as restaurants, breweries, distilleries and fitness facilities, and must have no more than 50 full-time equivalent employees to be eligible for the program. Maximum reimbursement amount is $5,000 with one reimbursement allowed per business. 

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