Dear Neighbors,
The end of this busy week is marked by Statehood Day. Today people around the state are wishing a Happy 160th Birthday to Minnesota! We became the 32nd U.S. state on May 11, 1858. It’s also the Governor’s Fishing Opener tomorrow. I challenged attendees do better than I did last year!
Anti-Protest Bill Debated on House Floor- Again
Once again this year, we debated whether or not Minnesotans have a constitutional right to have their voices heard in peaceful protest. I rose once again to speak out against this harmful legislation that would hurt members of our community who simply want their elected leaders to listen. You can watch my remarks here.
Ultrasound Bill Passes Off House Floor
A bill (HF 3194) that would require doctors to ask women seeking an abortion if they want to view ultrasound images passed off the House floor on Thursday. Patients deserve their doctor’s best medical judgement and advice, not unnecessary requirements mandated by politicians. This anti-choice bill won’t enhance the health or safety of patients, who already have the ability to view an ultrasound.
Wild Rice Sulfate Standards Vetoed
On Wednesday, Governor Dayton vetoed HF 3280, a bill eliminating state maximum sulfate levels in Minnesota’s waters used to produce wild rice. Dayton cited the lack of cooperation to find a compromise and his belief that the legislation violates the Clean Water Act as reasons for his veto. Dayton has urged legislators to find a responsible solution, which respects the federal law, provides needed regulatory certainty, and protects our priceless wild rice and water resources.
New UMN Regent Selection
Republican legislators have ignored a bipartisan panel that vets and recommends regent candidates to the Legislature in the past, and on Thursday they did it again. Instead of voting on the two candidates recommended by the joint higher education committees, Republicans didn’t select either candidate put forward. They nominated Randy Simonson on the floor and chose him to fill a vacancy on the University of Minnesota's governing board. Simonson is a conservative business owner with staunch anti-choice views, and in the past he has discussed the possibility of closing UMN campuses and voiced opposition to funding life-saving research conducted at the U of M. This was a disappointing process to witness, and it’s not how we should be conducting regent selection. We need to improve the selection process and prioritize Minnesota’s students and economic vibrancy before politics.
Pensions Bill Moves Forward
After unanimous passage in the Senate and months of delay, we’re finally seeing progress on legislation (SF 2620) to shore up Minnesota’s pensions in the House. Today, the bill was passed out of the State Government Finance Committee and has one more stop in Ways and Means before it can head to the floor. You can read the statement I issued after the vote here.
Public employees deserve the freedom to retire with respect and dignity through the guaranteed pension they earned, and I’m glad we’re moving forward on this compromise fix.
REAL ID Update
This week we also got news from the Department of Homeland Security on REAL ID compliance. The federal government has said Minnesotans will be able to use standard driver’s license or identification cards for domestic air travel or access to federal facilities until 2020. Since we passed legislation last year, Minnesota is now on track to start issuing compliant licenses by October 1, 2018, even though the federal government won’t require them until two years later on Oct. 1, 2020.
Please contact me if you have questions at 651-296-4257 or rep.ilhan.omar@house.mn and sign up for my email updates here.
Sincerely,
Ilhan Omar
State Representative