Members of the Lucy Laney student council visiting the State Capitol
AFSCME neighbors visiting for their Day on the Hill
Heidi Holterman visiting for MAPE Day at the Capitol
Sarah Spleiss visiting to discuss student loan debt with Education Minnesota
Presenting the Upper Harbor Terminal Project to the Capital Investment committee with City of Minneapolis’ staff Melissa Lesch, Ann Calvert, Park Commissioner Chris Meyer, Mayor Jacob Frey, Rep. Dario Anselmo, and Director David Frank
Teachers from the Minnesota Association of Family and Early Educators
Students visiting for ClearWay Minnesota Day at the Capitol
PLEASE JOIN US ON SATURDAY, MARCH 31ST FOR A TOWN HALL ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Join Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Representative Raymond Dehn, with members of MAD DADS and me on Saturday, March 31 from 2:00pm-4:00pm at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, 1201 West Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411 to discuss and help organize on the issue of gun violence prevention in our community. We have invited other elected representatives from North Minneapolis to gain insights on the work they are doing on this important issue. See the attached flyer.
Town Hall Meeting - Saturday, March 31st:
Where: Shiloh Temple International Ministries, 1201 West Broadway Ave, Minneapolis MN 55411
When: 2:00PM-4:00PM, March 31, 2018
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. You are welcome to come and go as you please.
THIS WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE
Yesterday was the first committee deadline for bills to receive their first hearing in order to move forward this session. This meant long days and late nights as we try to move many bills forward in order to be acted on this session.
HF 3161 - UPPER HARBOR TERMINAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT HEARING
On Wednesday, I presented HF 3161, the Upper Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Project, in front of the House Capital Investment Committee. I was joined by Mayor Jacob Frey, Park Commissioner Chris Meyer, and David Frank and Ann Calvert with the City of Minneapolis. We asked the committee for support in appropriating $15 million for public improvements for site preparation to redevelop the Upper Harbor Terminal. Mayor Frey and I made the point clear that this is the top priority of both the City of Minneapolis and Park Board. No committee action was taken on any of the bills presented that day, but they will be considered for possible inclusion in the final bonding bill. I will continue to track the progress of this bill closely.
MNLARS PASSAGE
On Monday, the Senate voted to pass a temporary MNLARS fix (SF 3133), which Governor Dayton signaled he would sign. House Republicans refused to concur with the Senate version and passed their version which would raid $10 million from other state agencies. Yesterday, a conference committee adopted most of the Senate bill. Both the House and Senate declared an urgency to pass the conference committee report and it was signed by Governor Dayton.
Star Tribune: Governor Dayton signs compromise giving $10 million to fix vehicle registration system
ATTACKS ON WORKING PEOPLE
Yesterday, HF 3723 was amended and passed out of the Government Operations Committee on a roll-call vote of 10-8. I serve on the committee and I voted no. The bill cripples the ability of the largest public unions to collect dues for independent expenditures and eliminates their ability to accept voluntary paycheck deductions that contribute to a union’s political advocacy work.
Workers in Minnesota have a right to organize for higher wages, safer working conditions, and a path to retire with dignity. Attacking hard working public servants rigs the system against working people in favor of the wealthy and big corporations.
RESTORE THE VOTE TABLED
Yesterday, House Public Safety Committee tabled HF 951, which would restore the right to vote for people convicted of a felony once they have been released from custody.
MPR: Wait will go on for felons seeking return of voting rights
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION PICKS TOPICS
This morning the Legislative Audit Commission selected topics for the Office of the Legislative Auditor to evaluate. Those topics include MN.IT, Public School Equalization Aid, the Public Facilities Authority/water treatment infrastructure, MN DOT’s financial effectiveness, the State Arts Board, and Economic/Housing Development Programs.
TOMORROW’S MARCH FOR OUR LIVES
Tomorrow morning, March 24th, Minnesota students and advocates are marching in Saint Paul from Harriet Island to the State Capitol to demand action on gun violence prevention from legislative leaders. This coordinated effort stems from a student rally organized in Washington, D.C., and has spread to communities across the country. You can learn more details of the event here.
Even if the possibility of advancing any gun violence prevention legislation has ended for the year on the state level, the momentum continues to build nationally. I hope you and your family and friends can join in on Saturday to make your voices heard.
METRO TRANSIT C LINE GROUNDBREAKING
On Tuesday, Metro Transit and local elected officials broke ground on the rapid bus C Line. This line will substantially replace Route 19, running from Brooklyn Center into Minneapolis, primarily on Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Highway. The C Line is scheduled to begin service in 2019.
You can read Metro Transit’s press release and find more information about the project here.
I encourage you to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Also, I am available during select hours on Monday and Friday mornings most weeks for in-district meetings, if Northside residents aren’t able to make it to the Capitol. If you would like to send me a message or set up an in-district meeting, you can reach me by phone at 651-296-4262 or by email at rep.fue.lee@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you!