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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL)

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Legislative Update - April 10th, 2017

Monday, April 10, 2017

Dear Neighbors,

 

Last week was the busiest week yet with the hearing of Omnibus bills. Below are reviews of the bills and links to the Session Daily articles. I must admit that I was very disappointed with most of them as they call for severe reduction of services and funding, often not even maintaining current levels as funds are shifted around. Now is not the time to “cut off our nose to spite our face”. We can do better for all Minnesotans!

 

Legislative Updates

 

Public Safety

The Public Safety bill passed with a majority vote of 94-37. The bill had several good provisions, such as police training and expanding mental health services to for mentally ill offenders, but it does not go far enough to protect Minnesotans and reform our criminal justice system. It also included controversial language to increase criminal penalties for certain types of peaceful protest and re-open a for-profit prison in Minnesota.

 

To read more details or to watch the debate, click here.

 

Legacy

The House unanimously passed the Legacy bill. The bill allocates constitutionally dedicated funds to clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. The package funds all parts of the state and includes many diverse projects and initiatives, including the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails Fund and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

 

To read more details or to watch the debate, click here.

 

Higher Education

The Higher Education bill was passed with a GOP majority of 77-53. Despite a $1.65 billion surplus, the House Republican Higher Education bill comes in $150 million lower than Governor Dayton’s budget proposal for higher education. The Republican choice to underfund higher education will lead to tuition increases for four year students.

 

To read more details or to watch the debate, click here.

 

Jobs and Energy

Yesterday, the House passed the Jobs and Energy bill 76-55. The House Republican Jobs and Energy bill cuts job creation efforts, consumer protections, racial and economic disparities efforts, and rolls back Minnesota’s renewable energy progress. Last year the legislature passed Governor Dayton’s equity initiative to combat racial economic disparities, but the Republicans are cutting and shifting money away from these efforts. The bill also has provisions that will allow big corporations to come in and build pipelines without justifying a public need. These provisions also allow companies like Enbridge to ignore Native treaty rights, and the impact of proposed pipeline projects on culturally essential wild rice areas.

 

To read more details or to watch the debate, click here.

 

State Government Finance

With a 75-55 majority vote the State Government Finance bill passed on to the Senate. The bill arbitrarily cuts vital state government services and lays off thousands of hardworking Minnesotans. It will result in layoffs of more than 2,000 state workers who protect our natural resources, keep our bridges secure, ensure our nursing homes are safe, and serve our veterans. The bill also deregulates our elections by limiting the ability for the nonpartisan campaign finance board to set election rules. Overall, the Republicans’ State Government Finance bill prioritizes tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy, leaving Minnesota’s environment, elections, public services and workers behind.

 

To read more details or to watch the debate, click here.

 

Health and Human Services

The week ended with a vote on the Health and Human Services bill, 74-53. This bill cuts $600 million from the Health and Human Services budget. The Republicans are choosing to cut Minnesotans’ health care just weeks after giving the insurance companies millions of dollars in reinsurance, and are ignoring the need for affordable childcare access, raises for home health workers, increase for families on MFIP, and adjustments to the Medical Assistance spend-down for the elderly, blind and disabled.

 

To read more details or to watch the debate, click here.

 

April is Financial Capability Month

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman announced that April is Financial Capability Month, featuring financial education events statewide that offer an opportunity for Minnesotans of all ages to learn how to focus on their financial goals, manage their money responsibly and protect themselves against scams.

 

A wide range of organizations are planning events across Minnesota during Financial Capability Month, including Junior AchievementMinnesota JumpStart CoalitionMinnesota Council on Economic Education,Minnesota Credit Union NetworkAARP Minnesotaand the Better Business Bureau.

 

Check the Commerce Department website for events.

 

This next week we are on a spring recess so I won’t have anything to report for the next couple of weeks. I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, meeting with folks in the community, checking in with my school, and preparing for the last weeks of the legislative session.

 

Thank you all who have visited me this past week, left messages or emailed me. As always, I encourage you to share your views on the issues that affect us all.

 

All the best,

 

 

Mary