Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting was a press event and bill announcement centered on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and related Minnesota legislation. Speakers, including Betty Foliard of ERA Minnesota, Sen. Sandy Pappas, Rep. Rena Moran, ERA Minnesota president Suzanne Will Heights, Rep. Kristin Bonner, Sen. Mary Coonish, and a representative for Attorney General Keith Ellison, described the ERA as now in effect and framed the day as a celebration of the amendment’s ratification and a call for Minnesota to align its laws and constitution with it. They also discussed a new Minnesota ERA compliance bill that would direct the reviser, Senate Counsel, and House Research to review state statutes and rules for inconsistencies with the ERA and return with recommended changes for the next session. Supporters argued that the ERA is needed to make equality explicit, strengthen legal protections against sex discrimination, and provide a firmer constitutional basis for court challenges. Several speakers said existing laws are not enough, cited disparities affecting women, especially women of color, Indigenous women, and immigrant women, and emphasized that the amendment would protect all people, including LGBT, transgender, and non-binary people. They also noted that Minnesota’s constitution still contains gendered language and that a separate bill would seek to make it gender-neutral. The Attorney General’s office said it supports passage and is advancing related priorities such as paid family leave and caregiving access. During the question-and-answer portion, speakers explained that the proposed bill is mainly a research and cleanup measure: it would identify inconsistencies in state law, with policy choices returning to the legislature. They also addressed whether the effort is symbolic, saying symbols matter but that the ERA would have real legal effect by raising scrutiny for sex discrimination claims. No formal votes were taken in the event. The meeting ended with an announcement of a Monday rally in the rotunda featuring ERA Minnesota co-sponsors, legislative leaders, the lieutenant governor, and the attorney general.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republicans outlined their opening-session priorities around public safety, education, and tax relief. On public safety, they said they will seek funding to hire and retain more police officers through bonuses, pension reforms, scholarships, and possible incentives for veterans to enter law enforcement. They also said they want tougher penalties for violent crime, including new or enhanced offenses for carjacking, auto theft, fleeing police, and repeat violent offenders, along with greater accountability for prosecutors and judges. Limmer said the proposals are still being drafted and that fiscal details would come later. On education, Senator Chamberlain said the caucus will focus on a “back to basics” approach centered on reading proficiency, parent involvement, and student mental health. He argued that improving literacy should come before expanding new programs, and said Republicans want to emphasize parental rights, curriculum transparency, and a return to normal school routines, including opposition to mask mandates. He also said better reading outcomes would reduce disciplinary and mental health problems. In response to questions, Republicans said they are not prioritizing new school mental health spending until reading scores improve, though they acknowledged existing staffing shortages in mental health and education support. On taxes, Senator Coleman and other Republicans said the $7.7 billion surplus means the state is collecting too much from taxpayers and should provide permanent, ongoing tax cuts, especially for lower- and middle-income Minnesotans. They also said repealing the state tax on Social Security income will be a priority. In response to questions, they said the tax package is still being developed and that specific dollar amounts and fiscal estimates will be released in the coming weeks. They said they hope parts of the agenda, including public safety, education, and tax relief, can attract bipartisan support, and they also mentioned possible work on child care regulation and other issues, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota legislators Jen McEwen, Liz Reyer, Omar Fateh, Liz Boldon, and John Marty announced the formation of the Minnesota Health Plan Caucus to build legislative support for Marty’s long-running single-payer proposal. They said the caucus is meant to elevate years of grassroots organizing and a broad coalition that includes health justice advocates, providers, labor, business, municipalities, and farmers. The plan was described as comprehensive universal coverage for all Minnesotans, including dental, vision, hearing, mental health, prescription drugs, and long-term care, with care not tied to employment. The lawmakers argued that the current employer-based system is costly, administratively complex, and inequitable. Reyer said it creates barriers between patients and providers, burdens small businesses, and wastes money on administration rather than care. Fateh emphasized racial and economic disparities in health outcomes, including higher infant mortality for Black babies, and said the plan would separate quality care from ability to pay. Boldon, a registered nurse, offered examples from ICU patients whose conditions worsened because they could not afford medications, dental care, or recommended tests, and said the plan would reduce costs through negotiated prices and less bureaucracy. McEwen highlighted rural access problems and said the current system leaves some communities, such as Grand Marais, far from needed services. She also cited a unanimous Duluth City Council resolution urging action and state projections that health spending could double over 10 years. Marty said the caucus, now joined by about 60 co-authors, is intended to develop strategy and move the bill forward. In response to questions, lawmakers said the legislation has been introduced in both chambers, but they do not expect immediate passage; they hope for House movement this session, possibly even an informational hearing, and said they will continue organizing and pushing for a cost estimate and further legislative action.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and state officials visited Hilltop Elementary to highlight a proposed state budget centered on children and families. They praised the school’s birth-through-middle-school support model and said the budget would expand affordable pre-K and child care, increase early childhood and school funding, and address needs identified during the pandemic, including mental health, food access, and family supports. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that investments in early learning and wraparound services would improve outcomes for children and strengthen Minnesota’s long-term economic competitiveness. The proposal outlined a nearly $1.8 billion mixed-delivery child care and early education system, including more than 6,000 additional pre-K slots, expanded child care assistance that officials said could serve 16,000 more families and nearly eliminate waiting lists, higher child care payment rates, and support for providers. The budget also includes a 2 percent increase in the general education formula, about $448 million for that formula increase, more than $180 million for educators, nearly $630 million for academic and wraparound supports, $212 million for mental health services, $5 million annually for Minnesota BOLD literacy efforts, $47.3 million for culturally and linguistically appropriate youth development and training, and free school breakfast and lunch. Officials also described proposals for paid family and medical leave, sick and safe leave, and 12-month continuous medical assistance coverage for children up to age 21. Testimony from the lieutenant governor and other officials stressed personal experience with child care assistance, SNAP, housing support, and free/reduced-price lunch as reasons for the investments. They said the budget also includes support for student parents, higher education access, food shelves, community schools, and family home visiting, and framed the package as a response to inequities tied to race, income, and zip code. In the question-and-answer portion, the governor said details on paid leave weeks and funding would be provided later, confirmed the paid family leave and sick and safe leave programs would use similar structures with separate funds, and said the administration was open to legislative changes while maintaining the proposal’s core goals.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: This Capitol Report episode focused heavily on Minnesota’s housing affordability crisis. Senator Kari Dziedzic said the end-of-eviction-moratorium “off-ramp” appears to have helped the court system and may have kept some tenants and landlords out of court, but she said the full effect is still unclear. She argued that housing is tied to broader outcomes such as education, health, crime, and workforce stability, and pointed to her bill, Senate File 333 (Bring It Home Minnesota), which would provide rent subsidies. She also said the state should consider more very low-income housing, nonprofit housing support, and possibly cash grants through the bonding process. The program also highlighted Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s 2022 bonding proposal, which totals about $2.7 billion and includes more than $450 million for safe and affordable housing, including a historic $250 million for housing infrastructure. Dziedzic said bonding could help, but she preferred using cash if available because housing bonds are expensive. Later, Senate Housing Committee Chair Rich Draheim offered a contrasting view, saying rent control in Minneapolis and St. Paul is a “band-aid” that discourages development and reduces housing supply. He said the state should examine corporate purchases of homes, but emphasized that the main problem is not enough housing and that the legislature should look for market-based solutions. Both senators discussed the impact of out-of-state corporations buying homes, the state’s racial homeownership gap, and the need to expand pathways to homeownership. Dziedzic said corporate buying worsens competition for first-time buyers and deepens disparities, while Draheim said the state should study whether the issue is significant enough to warrant legislation. The episode ended with a feature on gubernatorial portraiture at the Minnesota State Capitol, explaining how the portraits are commissioned, why they are painted rather than photographed, and how the images and accompanying plaques reflect each governor’s legacy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The interview focused on Minnesota’s housing crisis, including the end of the pandemic eviction moratorium and the “off-ramp” process for renters behind on payments. Sen. Kari Dziedzic said it is still too early to know the full effect, but she believes the phased approach, 15-day notice, and open rental assistance applications have helped some tenants, landlords, and the court system. A major topic was rent stabilization in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Dziedzic argued the issue is broader than rent control alone and tied it to affordability, education, health, crime, and family stability. She said more than 550,000 Minnesota families pay over 30 percent of income toward rent, and pointed to her bill, Senate File 333, “Bring It Home Minnesota,” which would provide rent subsidies. She also said a bonding bill could help finance more very low-income housing, and mentioned that basic income ideas and a study showing $500 monthly payments improved stability and outcomes are worth considering. The discussion also covered homeownership and market pressures, including out-of-state corporations buying homes, which Dziedzic said worsens competition and the racial homeownership gap. She said the legislature should look at ways to curb those practices and expand homeownership options, especially since metro-area starter homes are now around $350,000. She added that housing solutions will need to vary by region, and said bonding dollars, cash grants, and the housing challenge fund could support nonprofit developers and cities working on affordable housing projects.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: In this interview, Senate Housing Committee Chair Rich Draheim discussed Minnesota’s housing shortage, focusing first on rent control measures approved in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He said rent control is widely studied and, in his view, harms housing supply by discouraging new development and causing projects to be delayed or canceled. He argued the state should address the underlying shortage of housing rather than use rent control as a short-term fix. Draheim also said he and Senator Dick had discussed holding a hearing on out-of-state corporations buying starter homes in the metro area, which he described as a potential threat to first-time buyers. He said the Legislature should examine whether this is a significant problem and look for a solution that protects home availability while preserving a free market. He also tied the issue to racial disparities in homeownership, citing a Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis report on systemic racism and saying Minnesota needs more pathways to homeownership, not just rental housing. On state funding, Draheim responded to Governor Walz’s proposed bonding plan for affordable housing and housing infrastructure by saying he would prefer cash spending over borrowing if resources are available. He said housing bonds are expensive and that the state has already done more housing bonding in the last five years than in the previous two decades. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the interview.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senate Transportation Committee Chair Scott Newman and House/Senate transportation leaders held a press conference to release an independent review of Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) and the MNLARS system, prepared by Rick King and his team. King said the report focused on the customer experience for Minnesota residents and drew on more than 20 stakeholder meetings, a 50-state survey, and field work. He described MNLARS as working as intended, said the deputy registrar model remains the best fit for Minnesota, but noted that many deputy registrars are under financial strain because more transactions are moving online while the harder in-person work remains. He also said Real ID requirements, appointment delays, and the pandemic have added pressure, and that the report contains 31 to 35 recommendations, some of which can be implemented administratively while others would require legislation. King highlighted several recommendations: higher driver’s license filing fees, especially for Real ID and enhanced ID transactions; sharing 25 to 50 percent of online vehicle renewal filing fees with deputy registrars and DVS to support the work they do; incentives for offices to become full-service deputy registrars; state support for one camera and one eye-exam machine per deputy registrar; reducing repeated driver’s license test retakes; eliminating written tests for out-of-state transfers age 21 and older; extending Class D license validity from four years to a longer term such as eight years; and consolidating obsolete DNR transaction systems used by some public deputy registrars. He also said the report suggests improving public information, self-service options, and security at exam stations, and that the 14-day appointment requirement for exams may be unrealistic at peak times. Senator Jasinski praised the report and said deputy registrars have taken on more work and should be compensated accordingly, calling the issue bipartisan and urging legislative action this session. Representative Elkins said the report reflects the need to prevent local offices from being subsidized by property taxpayers, cited Bloomington’s closed office and county subsidy costs, and urged people to use DVS’s document-upload tool and not wait until the Real ID deadline. Representative Petersburg said the report represents a broader shift toward customer-centered public service. Newman said he expects to work with Chair Hornstein on the exam station recommendations and other legislative changes, and the participants expressed support for moving the recommendations forward.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: State officials held a public announcement at the University of Minnesota to unveil the governor’s 2022 bonding recommendation, framing it as an investment in state-owned assets, local jobs, climate resilience, and future generations. The governor said the proposal totals about $2.7 billion overall, including roughly $2 billion in general obligation bonds, and emphasized that bonding is used for projects such as roads, bridges, water infrastructure, fire halls, and higher education facilities. He also pointed to the state’s strong fiscal position and credit rating, and said the package would dovetail with federal infrastructure funding. Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan highlighted the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development as an example of why capital investment matters, saying outdated facilities and insufficient space can limit research and student learning. She outlined major categories in the proposal, including more than $450 million for safe and affordable housing, more than $400 million for community and equity-focused projects, more than $4.56 billion for roads, bridges, water treatment, and other critical infrastructure, more than $1 billion for asset preservation, and more than $262 million for environmental stewardship. Commissioner Jim Showalter said the recommendation is fiscally responsible and within debt guidelines, with nearly 40 percent devoted to asset preservation; he cited deferred maintenance backlogs at state agencies, Minnesota State, and the University of Minnesota, and noted that delaying repairs increases costs. University President Joan Gabel thanked the administration for including more than $213 million in university bonding investments, especially higher education asset preservation and replacement and a chemistry undergraduate teaching laboratory renovation. She said the university faces a large deferred renewal backlog and that the projects would improve learning, research, and student experience. Student Mustafa Saeed described the current chemistry facilities as cramped and outdated, saying the new lab would improve collaboration and better prepare students for STEM careers. No formal vote or legislative action occurred at the event; it was a proposal announcement and advocacy presentation, followed by questions from reporters about the size of the package and how it would align with federal infrastructure funds.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Paul Gazelka opened the event by arguing that rising violent and property crime in the Twin Cities is Minnesota’s top problem and said he planned to introduce three public-safety bills. He said two would impose minimum sentences for carjacking-related offenses and repeat firearm offenders, and a third would address juvenile offenders involved in serious violent crime. He also criticized Governor Walz, prosecutors, judges, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, and said the legislature should do more to support law enforcement and public safety resources. Jim Mortensen of Law Enforcement Labor Services said prosecutors should not choose which laws to enforce, arguing that charging decisions should be left to the legislature. He criticized Ramsey County Attorney John Choi’s approach to certain traffic offenses and said limiting prosecutorial discretion was needed to prevent crime from spreading beyond the metro area. Representative Brian Johnson echoed concerns about crime, police shortages, and the impact of reduced staffing in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and said the state should use resources to recruit and retain more officers, including through signing bonuses and possibly education assistance. In response to questions, Gazelka said he supports trying some 16- and 17-year-old carjackers as adults, though not automatically in every case, and said he is still exploring options for juvenile detention or other facilities for serious offenders. He said he does not support criminal background checks or extreme risk protection orders as gun policies, and he defended prior police-related legislation such as body cameras, higher penalties for assaults on officers, and police pay increases. He also said he wants more transparency around charging and judicial decisions so voters understand how prosecutors and judges are acting.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s redistricting process, with interviews with Senate Redistricting Committee chair Sen. Mark Johnson and House Redistricting Committee chair Rep. Mary Murphy. Johnson said the Senate GOP maps emphasized compactness, fewer county/city/township splits, and districts that are easier for voters to understand, while still following constitutional, statutory, and court principles. He described the Senate approach as balancing geography and communities of interest, including an unusually shaped Senate District 5 that he said reflects shared agricultural and river-valley interests. He also said the Senate and House maps are far apart on congressional districts, but that negotiation is still possible before the court deadline if the legislature cannot agree by February 15. Murphy described the House proposal as a “people’s map,” saying it was shaped by extensive public testimony and repeated revisions, and that the committee tried to keep communities together, respect school district lines, and account for regional economies and tribal boundaries. She said the latest census data gave the House better information about population growth, especially in BIPOC communities, and that the map was designed with those changes in mind. Murphy said the House and Senate must still pass their maps through their respective chambers and then negotiate, and she expressed hope that an agreement could be reached. The program also included a historical segment on the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment’s Gettysburg flagstaff on display at the State Capitol. Historian Brian Pease explained that the staff was broken during the regiment’s famous charge at Gettysburg, then repaired by splicing it with part of a captured Confederate staff, symbolizing both the battle’s sacrifice and the eventual reunion of North and South. He also noted that the flag was a key battlefield communication tool in an era without radios, helping soldiers and officers know where to move during combat.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The interview focused on Minnesota redistricting after the census, with Senator Mark Johnson discussing the Republican-led Senate’s proposed legislative and congressional maps. He said compactness, fewer county/city/township splits, and maintaining some continuity with existing districts were important because they help voters understand who represents them and where to vote. He emphasized that redistricting must also satisfy constitutional, statutory, court, and Voting Rights Act requirements, and that the Senate tried not to start entirely from scratch. Johnson defended some unusual district shapes, including proposed Senate District 5, saying it reflects communities of interest in the Red River and Minnesota River valleys with similar agricultural economies, especially sugar beets, wheat, and corn. He also said the current congressional District 7 makes sense to him because it is largely agricultural, while the House DFL congressional map would significantly alter northern Minnesota districts in ways he viewed as less aligned with regional interests. He said he had spoken with House redistricting chair Rep. Murphy and thought a compromise might be possible. On process, Johnson said the legislature must agree on maps by February 15 or the courts will decide. He noted that several other maps have been submitted, including one created by data scientists to reduce human bias, but he was skeptical that technology can eliminate bias because people design the tools and choose the inputs. He said the Senate did use technology, but only as part of a broader process that also relied on human judgment and the many variables involved in mapmaking.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Representative Mary Murphy, chair of the House Redistricting Committee, described the House redistricting proposal as the “people’s map,” saying it was shaped by extensive public testimony from across Minnesota and revised repeatedly in response to community input. She said the committee tried to follow redistricting principles such as keeping communities together, including attention to school district lines, county lines, and local economic regions. Murphy also said the committee had better census data than in past cycles, which helped identify population growth and communities of interest, including BIPOC communities and tribal populations. A major focus was Indigenous representation. Murphy said the map was responsive to northern tribes’ requests to keep communities intact, citing testimony from White Earth leaders. Under the House proposal, Senate District 2 would include White Earth, Red Lake, and Leech Lake reservations together for the first time, which she said could strengthen shared regional work and potentially allow voters to elect a representative from one of the nations. Murphy also explained the congressional map changes as reflecting population shifts, changes in agriculture, and the growing concentration of population near the metro area. She said the northern 8th District should remain centered on timber, tourism, agriculture, and recreation, while the southwest and southeast districts were drawn to reflect their own economic and demographic patterns. She said she was hopeful the House and Senate could reach agreement, but noted the House map still had to go to the floor for amendments before being sent to the Senate, and that the Senate’s version would go through a similar process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The speaker described a severe staffing crisis in residential care operations, saying the organization was operating at legal minimums and no longer able to provide full person-centered care or quality of life, only basic safety. They reported 80 open positions, 30 to 50 open shifts at any given time, daily staffing meetings, and use of non-residential staff such as case managers, HR, IT, and maintenance to cover shifts. The organization had temporarily closed three homes, had two more closed on weekends, and was in the process of closing two additional homes. They also said they were seeking exemptions, including a fifth-bed exception and additional ICF beds, to keep serving residents and allow some individuals to return home with guardians. The speaker emphasized that the situation was unsafe and unsustainable, citing staff exhaustion, with some employees working extended hours, lacking days off since mid-December, and even sleeping in basements to make shifts. They said the organization had recently been cited for unintentional maltreatment after relying heavily on on-call staff who did not know residents well, which contributed to an injury. They argued that inconsistent staffing and unfamiliarity with residents would likely lead to more incidents despite best efforts. A second speaker focused on the impact of federal vaccination requirements, saying the organization supported vaccination but needed weekly testing options rather than a strict mandate because remaining unvaccinated staff were refusing to comply and further losses would worsen the staffing shortage. They said the company was already struggling, had lost many employees to other industries, and could not absorb additional departures. The testimony also described the personal toll on staff, including long workweeks, illness-related absences, and family strain, and concluded that the workforce situation was driving people out of the industry permanently.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Republican legislators held a press event ahead of a Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission vote on a proposal they said would reduce sentences for repeat offenders, including people who commit crimes while on probation. Senate Judiciary and Criminal Justice Chair Warren Limmer, House GOP leaders Anne Neu Brindley and Brian Johnson, and others argued the change would weaken public safety, ignore criminal history, and could lead to hundreds of prisoners being released. They said the commission’s prior actions, including a probation cap, reflected a broader trend of unelected appointees overriding laws passed by the Legislature. The speakers repeatedly cited public opposition, saying the commission had received 3,562 comments, with 3,353 against the proposal and 209 in favor. They also said major law enforcement groups, county attorneys, and most Greater Minnesota commenters opposed the change. Their comments focused on rising violent crime, carjackings, murders, and repeat offenders, and they urged Governor Walz and his appointees to reject the proposal and prioritize victims and law-abiding citizens. In the question-and-answer portion, the lawmakers said they were considering legislative responses such as requiring Senate confirmation for commission members, revisiting sentencing policy, and possibly changing the commission’s authority. They said they planned to release a broader public safety agenda later, and one speaker said a bill would be introduced to address sentencing disparities and departures. No vote was taken at the event itself; the commission vote was still expected later that day.