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State Representative Ryan Winkler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7026
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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MINNESOTA CUTS OFF SUPPORT TO IRANIAN NUCLEAR EFFORTS
ST. PAUL, MN - Today the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill (HF111) cutting off the state’s investments in foreign oil companies doing business in Iran’s energy sector. The bill, authored by State Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL - Golden Valley), requires the State Board of Investment to divest state resources from any foreign business that has done more than $20 million of business in the Iranian energy sector since 1996. It passed by a vote of 82 to 46 in a bipartisan effort to ensure Minnesota investment funds aren’t indirectly contributing to the threat of global terrorism.
“Ending economic support for Iran’s nuclear program is a promising, effective means to peacefully thwart Iran’s support for terrorism," said Rep. Winkler.
The Minnesota divestment proposal is modeled after federal legislation and similar initiatives in 14 other states. These laws are focused on Iran’s energy sector because the revenue from Iran’s oil and gas industry directly funds its nuclear program as well as its support for international terrorism.
“Passing this bill is something we can do together to help make our world safer from the threat of terrorism,” said Rep. Paul Kohls (R - Victoria), a co-author of the proposal. “It is an effort we can all support.”
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) has endorsed the bill and is pleased by its passage. Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the JCRC, considers this Minnesota effort just one more piece in the puzzle to reduce the Iranian threat both in the Middle East as well as here in America.
“American businesses are already prohibited by law from dealing in the Iranian energy sector,” said Hunegs. “But we haven’t done enough to turn up the pressure on Iran. State efforts are an important step toward helping put an end to the Iranian nuclear program, and curbing Iran’s massive financial influence on terrorism around the world.”
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- Statement on Budget Forecast - (Posted: 2012-12-05 00:00:00)
- Statement on Final I-35 W Bridge Settlement - (Posted: 2012-11-13 00:00:00)
- Rep. Winkler: Tea Party Activists Can’t Be Trusted to Reform Our Elections - (Posted: 2012-11-01 00:00:00)
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