After providing only late Sunday night notice to the public, Senate Republicans took up Senate File 1354 early Monday morning on the Senate floor. SF 1354 began as a proposal from Minnesota Governor Walz to provide state aid to local governments when a public safety event occurs that is of regional or statewide significance. Discussions about this proposal have been ongoing during the legislative session.
In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old college student, was violently beaten and left to die by the side of a road near Laramie, Wyo. Rescuers took him to a hospital where he died six days later from profound injuries. The… Read More »Senator Dibble: Minnesota must ban the ‘gay panic’ defense
Last week, legislation was introduced in Minnesota House of Representatives, House File 1657, that would criminalize transgender student athletes. This legislation would restrict transgender girls from participation in female athletics and charge them with a crime for participation. A similar bill was heard in the Senate two weeks ago.
The February budget forecast from Minnesota Management and Budget was presented today with a budget and economic forecast projecting a positive balance of $1.6 billion for the FY 2022-23 biennium. Minnesota’s budget outlook is better for this biennium and the next due to an improved U.S. economic outlook that is bolstered by large federal actions that have emerged since November, less spending in some areas attributable to the unique circumstances of the pandemic, and were not incorporated in earlier projections.
Advocates for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and services met virtually today for “HIV on the Hill.” Leaders from nearly one dozen community organizations met to share their vision for an end to HIV/AIDS in Minnesota, and what steps need to be taken to get there: destigmatizing HIV/AIDS, increasing access to prevention drugs PrEP and PEP, making sure everyone knows their HIV status and ensuring every single person has health care, and any barriers to staying healthy are knocked down, especially BIPOC communities within the LGBTQ community.
On the Senate floor today, Senate Republicans passed a bill that will cut public safety budgets by penalizing communities that receive Local Government Aid (LGA). The state distributes LGA to cities across Minnesota for general purposes, and it is used by cities to provide basic community services, such as public safety, fire and public works.