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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Rena Moran (DFL)

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Legislative Update - April 22, 2016

Friday, April 22, 2016

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Minnesota lost a great treasure to our state, and to our world. I was shocked to hear that we lost Prince so young, as I’m sure many of you were, but in the hours since his passing I have taken comfort in the signs of love and joy being shared among many of us through the gift of his music. Prince leaves a lasting mark on our state, and I’m sure we will benefit from his hard work on behalf of our entire Twin Cities community for years to come. He has done so much for so many and his legacy will live on through his music!

The legislature was a busy place this week. As the legislative session progresses we must meet deadlines that are set for bills to be heard in committee and make their way to the House floor to be debated by the entire body. The first and second committee deadlines occurred earlier this month and the third and final deadline was last night at midnight.

Bills can be introduced anytime during the session, but the Legislature establishes deadlines for committee action on bills. The third deadline is for committees to act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills.

Late last week and this week, committees wrapped up their work and most of our time will now shift to the House floor for debate.

Racial Disparities

As I noted, the final deadline for any legislation with a financial impact to be heard in committee was last night at midnight, but the House Republican leadership has yet to hear a comprehensive package of bills addressing the economic disparities currently facing Minnesota’s communities of color.

I have been extremely disappointed in this lack of action on the part of my Republican colleagues. I sent a letter to the Speaker of the House with my colleagues expressing my disappointment which you can read here.

The Senate has passed a package of bills targeted at eliminating racial disparities, and the House should do the same. I encourage you to contact Speaker Daudt’s office and tell him why you think these issues are important to our community, and that we need more constructive solutions than the GOP school voucher plan. His office number is 651-296-5364 or 800-710-7642.

Town Hall with Lt. Governor Smith

On Wednesday, April 27th I will be hosting a town hall meeting on Racial Equity for Women & Girls of Color with Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith at the City View Grille at Saint Paul College (235 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102). The meeting will be from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.

We welcome anyone from the public to attend and join in a conversation about how we can create equity for women and girls of color in our state. We want to raise awareness of these issues, explore some possible solutions, and talk about how we can best take legislative action at the Capitol. You can see more details and background about the meeting attached and below.

Please contact me with questions or concerns on any other legislative issue at 651-296-5158 or rep.rena.moran@house.mn .

Together, We Are Stronger!!

Rena Moran

State Representative