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Capitol Notes:

 

New taxes and the legalization of same-sex marriage were hallmarks of a legislative session in which DFLers wielded more power than they’ve had in a generation.

The DFL controlled the House, Senate and governor’s office for the first time in 22 years, and it shows in the two-year budget that lawmakers wrapped up Monday night. Their plan calls for raising $2.1 billion in new taxes, hiking rates for smokers and the rich. Much of the new money will go to education, including landmark funding for all-day kindergarten and tuition freezes at the state’s public colleges and universities.

Party leaders who summed up their work on Tuesday also pointed to $440 million in property tax relief, job-creation efforts such as money to support a Mayo Clinic expansion, and erasure of a $627 million deficit. (Read more)

 

End of session update

• SF 1589 – Omnibus State Government – CLAC has a proposed increase in funding to $400,000 in the Senate version, House version includes only $2,000 increase for employee wages, both surpass Governor’s recommended even funding level.
• SF 453 – Omnibus K-12 – dedicates funding for all-day kindergarten and pre-K scholarships, integration revenue expanded, variations in expanding Reading and Math Corps, House funds Regional Centers of Excellence, new safe schools/climate center, career/college prep to replace GRAD tests, and teacher licensure task force created to replace high-stakes testing for teachers with more appropriate assessments.
• SF 1236 – Omnibus Higher Education – Expected to incorporate Dream/Prosperity Act into revisions, proposed tuition freezes, and severely cuts budget targets in House.
• SF 1057 – Omnibus Jobs – MN Investment Fund, Job Creation Fund, Job Skills Partnership, SMIF/SWIF and other business development grants. 
• SF 1034 – Omnibus Health – MNSure exchange, MinnesotaCare expanded, child care assistance, mental health services in schools, internal changes with removal of Diversity Council.
• Minimum Wage proposed incremental bumps to $7.75 in Senate, to $9.50 in House with additional benefits.
• “Ban the Box” signed into law
• Housing and Job Growth Initiative, Housing Trust Fund
• Driver’s Licenses has not been moved, lacking support from Governor.

Legislation to return to next session: Driver’s Licenses, Cesar Chavez Day (further develop below proposals)

Legislation to prepare in interim:  ELL, Biliteracy, ParentAware, OSHA, DHR-MDE advisory board (data practices across agencies, expulsion, special education), agency reform, etc.

By: Sarah Goodspeed, Legislative and Community Relations Manager, CLAC

For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2013
Contact:
Brigit Helgen, 202-228-6317

Klobuchar Amendment to Immigration Bill to Help Protect Victims of Elder Abuse Passes Senate Judiciary Committee 

Klobuchar’s amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill would classify “elder abuse” as a crime for which a victim could seek a visa through law enforcement

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today announced that her amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill to help protect victims of elder abuse passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. Klobuchar’s amendment would classify “elder abuse” as a crime for which a victim could seek a visa through law enforcement to prevent being forced to remain silent about abuse.

“No one should be forced to remain silent about abuse because of their immigration status,” Klobuchar said. “This amendment will help protect victims of elder abuse and ensure that seniors can seek assistance from authorities.”  

Klobuchar has been a leader in helping to protect seniors from abuse and financial exploitation. She is a lead sponsor of the bipartisan Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act, legislation that would crack down on elder abuse by court-appointed guardians by providing support to states to implement programs to increase oversight and accountability of guardians and conservators.  Earlier this year, Klobuchar’s outreach staff  held a “Senior Fraud Prevention Tour,” meeting with officials and organizations in communities across Minnesota to highlight efforts to protect seniors from fraud and financial scams.

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In-state tuition, even for young immigrants lacking lawful status?

By Session Daily

Thalia Estrada was five years old when she left her native Peru. Fearful that terrorism in Lima could kill them, her parents arranged for Thalia and her brother to fly to the United States. Thalia started school within a few days. She learned a new language, got used to a new culture. Over time, Minnesota became home.

But Thalia didn’t immigrate legally, and as she nears graduation from high school, her worries about the future are mounting. Despite a 3.5 GPA at St. Paul Central High School and several college acceptance letters, “I still face the fear of how I’m going to pay my tuition,” the 17-year-old told members of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee Wednesday. Though she said she has deferred action status as an immigrant, which temporarily shields her from deportation, she’s not eligible for in-state tuition rates and many kinds of financial aid.

A bill heard by the committee would help students like Thalia. The proposed Minnesota Dream Act would change the standards for determining whether a student can pay a resident tuition rate and receive certain grants and scholarships for public colleges and universities in Minnesota. HF875, the latest incarnation of a legislative proposal that supporters have pushed for years, would extend resident tuition rates to students without lawful immigration status, if they met certain conditions.(Read more)