Statement: Senator Ron Latz Comments on Supreme Court’s Abortion Reversal Draft Opinion

St. Louis Park, MN – Today, Senator Ron Latz commented on Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion reversing Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

“Abortion is a moral and constitutional right,” said Sen. Latz. “The Supreme Court’s draft opinion is a blanket attack on a woman’s right to privacy and bodily autonomy. The right to privacy is, among other things, a critical unenumerated right that protects against government interference from quite literally reaching into a woman’s womb. As such, the impact of this decision—were it to hold—would severely erode a woman’s long-protected freedom of privacy and bodily autonomy.”

“Make no mistake, states will criminalize and quite possibly jail a woman for making the incredibly difficult decision to abort a child,” stated Sen. Latz. “Many in Minnesota will attempt to follow suit and pass archaic abortion laws. Thus, we must ready ourselves to protect this fundamental freedom in Minnesota if those at the federal level will not. Women’s rights are human rights and while today is a sad day, we must keep fighting to protect that freedom.”

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Capitol Update: 2022 Session Begins

On Monday January 31 the 2022 legislative session convened. I joined my DFL Senate colleagues in the morning to discuss our priorities in the coming months. The full press conference can be viewed here. The scope of our work and the urgency in which these issues need to be addressed cannot be overstated.

Covid protocols at the Capitol, Minnesota Senate Building (MSB), and State Office Building (SOB)

A partial return to in person meetings is occurring in the Minnesota Senate Building and State Capitol. Meetings with Senators are held by appointment only, and visitors with appointments will need an escort to the second and third floors. All Senate committee hearings are open to the public with limited seating capacity. Visitors without appointments are able to enter the MSB on the ground or first floor only. There is no mask or vaccination requirement in Senate spaces in either building. The State Office Building, where House members meet in committee and have office space, is closed to the public. There are several temperature screeners for visitors to use at the entrances as well as additional hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the buildings.

Senate Floor Session: Worker's Comp bill

On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate acted on a proposal that would make it easier for certain frontline workers (paramedics, firefighters, nurses, and police officers) to qualify for worker’s compensation insurance. Typically, before the Legislature acts on changes to worker’s compensation law a board of union and business leaders must come to an agreement. While labor leaders pushed to remove the donut hole for these workers by making the legislation retroactive to January 1st, business leaders opposed this measure. 

Senators honored the agreement made by the board by passing it without amendments. However, DFLers will be introducing legislation in the coming days to close the donut hole and ensure workers who fall into it are offered the same terms and benefits as those who become ill with COVID-19 after this legislation is signed into law.

Judiciary Committee

Beginning Monday, February 7, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be hearing a package of bills focusing on the recruitment and retaining of law enforcement officers. While some of these bills have merit, I find the current approach by my Republican colleagues in the Senate to be lacking in the varied systems of support our communities have asked for. My statement on the matter can be found here.

Deadlines and Spring Break

First deadline March 25: A bill in either the House or Senate must be through all policy committees with jurisdiction over the subject matter.

Second deadline April 1: A bill which has met the first deadline in either body must be through all policy committees with jurisdiction over the subject matter in the other body. For example, a bill that has met the first deadline in the Senate will need to have the companion file in the House moved through all House committees for that legislation to be considered further.

Third deadline April 8: Appropriations, Taxes, and Capital Investment bills must be acted upon. This can mean the bills are on the Senate or House floor, or have passed through all budget committees and referred to the full Senate Finance Committee, Senate Tax Committee, or Senate Capital Investment Committee, and their equivalent committee in the House.

The annual legislative break will begin April 9 and conclude April 18, with committee and floor activity resuming at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19.

Redistricting

This year, a court appointed nonpartisan panel will introduce the newest boundaries for Legislative and Congressional Districts, based on population information from the 2020 census. Minnesota was initially thought to be losing a Congressional seat, but population growth and a large response to the census helped our state maintain it's 8 seats. While no date is certain for when the maps will become public, it is an exciting time at the legislature every ten years.

Conclusion

I continue to enjoy serving as your state Senator, and to have the opportunities to offer solutions to the problems we face together as Minnesotans.

Capitol Update: April 23, 2021

This week the Senate continued to pass budget bills. Last week, the Senate passed the Judiciary and Public Safety omnibus - the committee on which I serve as the ranking DFL member. The committee was given a $90 million target, which allows for some investments in the state’s court and corrections system, and in some public safety requests. Of the target, $20 million was reserved for disaster assistance for our local communities. 

The bill, however, is a stark portrait of what the Senate Majority’s priorities aren’t; the bill contains no policing and criminal justice reform, no expansion of proven justice programs, and little in the way of reducing the intersectional causes behind crime and recidivism.  

There is no more room for healing words and platitudes. Many of the reforms being offered are those which have been developed with input from law enforcement agencies and have broad community support. However, late yesterday evening, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka announced he was no longer requesting the Senate hold hearings on police reforms, something he had announced at a press conference on Tuesday, April 13. Instead, he is channeling those matters into the more limited conference committee process. This is not acceptable but we must adjust to that reality. I remain committed to bringing forward proposals for discussion, debate and passage, just as I was elected to do.

My statement on this irresponsible decision can be found here.

Assistance for Renters

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has announced that RentHelpMN is now available to help eligible renters catch up on overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. It also makes provisions for those at risk of falling behind on rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RentHelpMN is now in phase one, which allows people with past due rent who meet eligibility requirements to apply. To apply and to learn more about eligibility requirements visit www.renthelpmn.org or call 211.

The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about RentHelpMN, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday.

State Fair Vaccine Site Update

The Minnesota Department of Health's COVID hotline (833-431-2053) is available to schedule appointments NOW for the State Fair site. This line is available in multiple languages and can assist with language/ADA accommodations. If you reside in the following zip codes you are eligible for a vaccination at this site: 55343, 55422, 55426, 
55427.

Additionally:

• Every registrant will get a free Metro Transit pass in their confirmation materials

• There is no requirement to show government ID either during registration or at the site

• Getting the vaccine is free and health insurance is not required

Restaurant Relief from the Small Business Association

The $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) at the Small Business Administration (SBA) was established in March 2021. Through the RRF, restaurants, bars, caterers, bakeries, brewpubs, and other eligible businesses can access funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss, subject to program limits.

The SBA is not yet accepting applications for the RRF, but information about eligibility, funding amounts, uses of funds, and a sample application form are available in English at www.sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes.

Important note: If you are a small business that may be eligible for this fund you should be ready to apply the day it becomes available. Sign up with SBA to receive email alerts as more RRF information is available.

Conclusion

The bulk of work next week will be on the Senate floor, where we will continue to debate omnibus budget bills and a tax bill. I expect conference committees to be appointed and begin meeting to make determinations as to how we fund our state. There are four weeks left before the constitutional deadline the legislature must adjourn, and the bulk of the work remains. The budget, which impacts every single Minnesotan, must be signed into law by June 30. I have made the point before, and I reiterate it now: it is more crucial than ever to continue state services without interruption as we inch towards the end of the pandemic. Please continue to wear your mask, distance when possible, and schedule your free vaccination appointment.

Senator Latz reflects on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s legacy

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – As the nation prepares to see Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lay in state in our nation’s Capitol building and then be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Senator Ron Latz, DFL-Saint Louis Park, DFL lead on the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee, has prepared the following reflection on her legacy:

 “Our nation has lost not just a Supreme Court Justice, but an iconic figure in American history. Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a trailblazer who dedicated her life to the necessary fights for a more just and equal world, and who's legacy was worth honoring well before her service as a justice began. She will be remembered for her tireless dedication to the role of the Court and exemplified the fight for a more perfect union. Despite her loss, she will continue to be an inspiration for every man and woman in America to continue the fight for justice.

“By her legal insight, powerful intellect and personal fortitude, Justice Ginsburg freed both women and men from their legal pigeonholes, redefining equal protection to include sex-based differences in the law and thereby opening opportunities for all and especially women denied to them by law and practice. She became a singular force for justice and an inspiration to generations. The battle for true equality continues, standing on Justice Ginsburg’s formidable precedent and shoulders. We will continue that battle, as the words emblazoned in her courthouse chamber demands of us: justice, justice, thou shall pursue.

 “The unfortunate aftermath of her loss leaves a vacancy on the Court that must be filled. It's upsetting that during a time of great mourning we are forced to look to fill the ninth seat. Ideally, the 2020 McConnell-led Senate abides by the precedent set by the McConnell-led Senate in 2016. However, I have no faith in the current Senate Majority Leader to follow precedent, to do the right thing and wait for the American people to choose the next Justice through the November election.”

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Senator Ron Latz comments on justice for George Floyd

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, DFL Lead on the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee, released the following statement in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

“Let’s call this what it is. George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officers. The first step is to hold all of the officers who were involved in the murder accountable for their actions. I am confident in my friend and colleague, Attorney General Keith Ellison, to prosecute this murder to the fullest.

“While we look to hold these police officers accountable for their actions, the protests carried out in memory of George Floyd by our communities of color and allies are the result of hundreds of years of institutional and systemic racism. I support peaceful protests and I will be working hard on policy and resources to create systemic change.

“For years, I and many others in the Legislature have worked to pass legislation to improve community conditions, community-police relationships, and to make the justice system more just. However, we have faced much opposition or lack of prioritization. Particularly in the past four years, the Senate Majority has failed to consider and pass much meaningful reform, despite repeated requests to do so. Perhaps this is explained by Leader Gazelka’s tweet that he wishes to make Minnesota ‘NICE again,’ demonstrating how little he understands that for many, Minnesota has not been ‘nice’ for generations. “Finally, the letter on Monday from Bob Kroll, president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, illustrates the systemic problem perfectly. He somehow tries to justify the death of George Floyd as a deserving one because Floyd had a criminal history. This statement is disgraceful and sickening and is the kind of leadership – or lack thereof – that we cannot afford to have within our police departments if our police-community relationships are to systemically change for the better. Kroll should resign and the police officers in the Federation should elect leadership that values the life of everyone in the community.”

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Capitol Update: Friday, April 24, PUA Payments Begin

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the agency has begun making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. PUA is a new program that was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and signed into law on March 27, 2020.In less than one month, DEED’s unemployment insurance team created the infrastructure to implement this brand new program, determine eligibility, prevent fraud and adapt to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19. While it will take DEED some time to determine eligibility for everyone who applies for PUA, they are working closely with the Department of Revenue to expedite that process. Minnesota is proudly one of the first states in the nation to implement all three components of the federal CARES Act and provide critical financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of people who have been impacted by this pandemic.Here’s what Minnesotans need to know about applying for PUA:

• If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.

• If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available here. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA. 

• If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.

• If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. We expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April. There is no need to call or follow-up; you will hear from us proactively if we need additional information to determine eligibility.

• You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by mail.

• Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600/week additional payment.

• PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.

• Additional information, including answers to many commonly asked questions, can be found here.

Since March 16, 2020, a record number of more than 540,000 people have applied for unemployment insurance benefits in Minnesota. Despite this massive influx of applications, the Minnesota UI program was able to quickly begin authorizing the additional FPUC $600 weekly payments, implement the 13-week extension of unemployment benefits (PEUC), and begin processing payments under PUA.Anyone who has been separated from their job, had their hours reduced or cannot work due to the COVID-19 pandemic is encouraged to apply online at uimn.org.

Thank you for your continued interest in the state legislature and our work serving Senate District 46. If you have any time-sensitive questions, comments, or concerns please call my office at 651-297-8065.

Regards,

Ron