Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL)

Back to profile

2013 Session Update: May 10

Friday, May 10, 2013

 

Dear neighbors,

We are entering the final week of the legislative session and must adjourn by May 20.  At this time, conference committees are meeting to negotiate differences between House and Senate versions of the bills.  I have been appointed to the Higher Education Conference Committee where we’re working to make sure that the House proposal’s tuition freeze at the University of Minnesota and MnSCU is incorporated in the final bill.  Please continue to contact me with your input as we work through this process.

Governor Dayton has signed my crime victim’s protection bill into law.  This bill classifies private data and labels stalking as a violent crime.  It also sets up a Restitution Working Group to make this process easier for defenders, attorneys, and victims.  These measures are intended to help victims of violent crimes stay safe and move forward.  I am proud of the bipartisan work that was put forth on this bill and that it passed unanimously off the House floor.

As you may know, both the House and Senate have passed tax bills that include new revenues.  I voted against the House DFL tax bill, which will create many tax changes including a 4th income tax tier, a .5% surcharge on top income earners and increase sales taxes on alcohol and cigarettes.  The bill takes some positive steps to get Minnesota’s budget in order without gimmicks or borrowing, but overall I could not support the bill.

I opposed the tax bill because I have heard from many concerned area residents and businesses about these revenue increases.   I am advocating for a more balanced final proposal that includes more efficiencies and compromise. The tax bill is currently in conference committee, where differences between the House and Senate versions will be negotiated before a final vote. 

On Thursday, the House passed the Marriage Equality Act, ensuring same-sex couples can legally wed in civil ceremonies.  The measure passed on a bipartisan vote of 75-59 and I voted in favor of the bill.  The bill allows all couples the right to civil marriages—the kind you get at City Hall—and upholds religious freedoms by allowing clergy and congregations the right to refuse to perform same-sex marriages.  An amendment was added by Representative FitzSimmons, a republican from Albertville, to strengthen the religious protections in the bill, which are the strongest of any state that has legalized same-sex marriage.  I believe this is a good balance between civil and religious rights.  This was a historic moment and one that is very important to those on all sides of this issue.

Please contact me anytime with your questions, comments and concerns. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-7803 or by email at rep.paul.rosenthal@house.mn.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,


Paul Rosenthal