Dear Neighbors:
The first week of the legislative session was eventful. In addition to a continued focus on gun violence, the Legislature approved its own budget. On the other hand, the Republican majority still has not ratified state employee contracts that were finalized many months ago. More details below, but first, details on a chance to connect.
Chat with Dave on Sunday
Reminder that the next Chat with Dave is on Sunday, March 4, from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, at the Highland Park Library (1974 Ford Parkway). These are informal conversations with neighbors about the legislative session and the issues that are important to you. You can see more details here.
State Employee Contracts & Legislative Funding
On Thursday, Republicans voted with DFLers to suspend the House rules to take up ratification of state employee contracts that had been delayed since back in October when these contracts were rejected by the Legislative Subcommittee on Employee Relations.
Appallingly, Republicans then moved to amend the ratification with a series of “poison pills” that would greatly hurt employee rights long into the future. For now, the state employee contracts were tabled, but I’ll continue to push for them to be ratified as soon as possible.
Given this failure to take care of our state employees, I then voted against approval of the legislative budget. You can read the House Public Information Office coverage of the process for approval of the legislative budget here.
Working to Prevent Gun Violence
I am the House author of the leading bills to prevent gun violence: bills on criminal background checks and on gun violence preventive orders (GVPOs). These bills and my work received considerable attention last week. On Thursday, I asked Republican leaders to give these bills a hearing - to no avail so far. I also spoke at a rally against gun violence. On Friday, I joined the TPT Almanac crew to discuss the issue as well. On Sunday, The Star Tribune editorial board followed up with a strong endorsement of the two bills. And on Monday, the Star Tribune published a piece on GVPOs that I authored with State Sen. Ron Latz and Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts.
Temple of Aaron to the Minnesota House
Many thanks to Rabbi Jeremy Fine of Temple of Aaron who provided a beautiful, inspirational, and thought-provoking prayer to open Thursday’s legislative session. It was an honor to have him at the Capitol.
Thank you for the honor of serving our community,
Dave Pinto
State Representative, District 64B
321 State Office Building
(651) 296-4199
www.house.leg.state.mn.us/64b
facebook.com/repdavepinto
Sign up for legislative updates: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/join.asp?id=15444