Hello! It has been such a joy to see so many familiar faces at the Capitol these past few weeks.
The big news this week was the release of the February budget forecast which sets the terms of debate for the two-year budget. The forecast projects how much money the state is likely to have for the upcoming biennium. Minnesota Management and Budget estimates a $1 billion budgetary balance which is $492 million less than the November 2018 forecast. It’s important to be cautious when the state’s budget balance decreases and diligent in working to balance any new investments with additional revenue.
Gov. Tim Walz also released his $1.3 billion bonding recommendations at a press conference earlier this week. The proposal focused on higher education, transportation needs, and efforts to create more affordable housing.
Senate committees continued hearing bills, including the more high-profile tobacco 21, reinsurance, and hands-free cell phone use.
Other press conferences held this week included an anti-poverty press conference and a press conference to ban private prisons in the state. A number of groups held their “Day on the Hill” including: STEM Advocacy, Rally for Health freedom, Volunteer Administration Day, Muslim Day, African Heritage Day, Corrections Officer Day, ClearWay, YMCA, Private Colleges, Pediatric Home Service, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Dignity in our Democracy, Dyslexia Day, FFA Day, and Take Action Day.
Legislative Updates -Week Eight
Senate File 1520- Vaccines
First, I’d like to thank those of you that have either called or emailed me your thoughts and concerns regarding SF1520 (Vaccine Bill). As many of you may know I currently do not sit on any health care committees. Nevertheless, I am collecting information around this bill, and I will be sure to keep your thoughts and concerns in mind should this bill come before me.
African American Preservation Act
This week, Senator Jeff Hayden presented the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act in front of the Committee on Human Services Reform. Black children are removed from their homes by child protection agencies at far higher rates than other children in Minnesota, and this often serves as a pipeline to juvenile detention. This legislation seeks to correct the biases and disparities in the reporting, separation, and reunification processes by creating an advisory council within the Department of Human Services to provide oversight and recommendations. I am a co author on this very important bill, and will be working hard to see it through the finish line.
One bill in particular that I am carrying as apart of the African American Preservation Act is SF342, the reestablishment of parental rights. (Please click the link here)
Ending poverty in Minnesota
A press conference was held this week to introduce a legislative package to increase the state’s minimum wage to $16/hour, raise the Minnesota Family Investment Program grant, fully fund the Child Care Assistance Program, and double the Working Family Tax Credit.
The legislation is in response to the 10-year anniversary of a final report from the Legislative Commission on Ending Poverty by 2020. Unfortunately, Minnesota has failed to act and is no closer to reaching that goal than when the commission began its work in 2007.
The legislative package invests in four existing programs that are proven to be effective in reducing poverty. They are:
- Establishing a $16/hour minimum wage
- Doubling Minnesota’s Working Family Tax Credit
- Eliminating the waiting list for the sliding fee Child Care Assistance Program
- Providing a $300/month increase in the Minnesota Family Investment Program
These investments in Minnesota families would be funded by closing the loophole in which high income earners are exempt from some federal social security taxes. Currently, the federal government collects 6.2% of earned income on all wages up to $132,900/year, but nothing on incomes above that level. This law would continue to collect 6.2% of earned income above that threshold so high-income earners would pay the same percentage of their income that every other Minnesota worker pays. (SF 622)
Election Security
In 2017, the US Congress passed the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), appropriating federal dollars to each state to upgrade its election security. While 49 states have already accepted this money, Minnesota is the only state that has not done so, leaving $6.6 million for crucial security upgrades on the table. Earlier, the House passed legislation allocating the full $6.6 million to the Secretary of State’s office, per HAVA requirements. However, the bill passed by Senate Republicans yesterday only allocates $1.6 million of these funds, withholding the remaining money. Minnesota already missed the opportunity to strengthen our election security for the 2018 midterm elections, and we need to allocate the entire $6.6 million now to ensure the Secretary of State has time to make these needed upgrades ahead of the 2020 election. This is not a partisan issue, this is a necessity to secure the integrity of elections in our state. The stalling by Senate Republicans is unacceptable, and I will continue to advocate for the entire sum of money to be allocated.
Governor Walz introduces his bonding bill
A bonding proposal was introduced this week by Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan to address a variety of pressing needs across the state. The $1.27 billion proposal would invest in Minnesota communities by increasing economic opportunities, improving educational institutions, expanding affordable housing options, and strengthening infrastructure statewide. Focusing on Minnesota’s future, the bill proposal takes a balanced approach, with 22% of project grants in rural Minnesota, 27% in the metro area, and 51% of projects to have statewide impacts.
Gun Safety
This week, the House Committee on Public Safety passed two gun violence prevention bills, HF 8 and HF 9. The first bill expands universal background checks to apply to private gun transfers, gun shows, and internet sales of firearms. The second bill establishes extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to allow law enforcement to temporarily restrict an individual’s access to firearms if there is evidence they pose a threat to themselves or others. Action on this important issue is long overdue, and the passage of these bills through committee represents an critical first step for tougher gun laws. Unfortunately, Republican leadership in the Senate has said they will not allow these bills to move forward, so it is unlikely they will reach the Governor’s desk this session.
Tobacco 21
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee this week passed legislation that would increase the legal age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. This effort comes as we have seen smoking rates among young people begin to rise again, driven in large part by vaping and e-cigarette use, as these products are specifically marketed towards young people. I also had the privilege of joining hundreds of young advocates at the Tobacco 21 rally for Youth Day on the Hill on Wednesday. It was a privilege to speak to these young people who are so passionate about addressing this important issue!
I always value input from my constituents on the work that I am doing. Remember that you can view and track any bill that I am authoring on the legislature’s website. Through the link, you can view the text of my bills, as well as find information on co-authors and the bill’s status in committees.
This Week in Photos
Thank you,
Senator Bobby Joe Champion
2303 Senate Building
95 University Ave W.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Committees:
Finance
Commerce
Transportation
Jobs and Economic Growth
Capital Investment
Contact Me
Office: 651.296.9246
Email: sen.bobby.champion@senate.mn
senatedfl.mn/members/senatorbobby-joe-champion/
Twitter: @BobbyJChampion
Facebook: facebook.com/BobbyJoeChampion
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