Snapshot of ACTION

Bobbi (Rice County DFL Director) and Sue (Rice County DFL Vice Chair) 

walk in the Northfield March for Science held on Saturday, April 22nd. 

The Rice County DFL passed a resolution of support for the March for Science: 

“The Rice County DFL fully supports the March for Science and their efforts in advocating the enactment of evidence-based policies in the public interest and for the common good,” said Shawn Groth, Rice County DFL Chairman. 

Many DFLers (Democrats) participated locally and at the State Capitol March. 

Here's a great video ( click here ) that from the Northfield March for Science. 

TAKE ACTION: Irony of Ironies

Irony of ironies: while crafting a budget that will leave more Minnesotans without access to affordable health care, result in layoffs to teachers and projected 5% tuition increases, as well as layoffs of 200 or more corrections officers, guess how much the legislature proposed to trim its own budget? ZERO! No cuts to itself at all while at the same time tightly limiting the power of the Campaign Finance Board to investigate campaign violations.

How to take action:

If that seems wrong, go right to the top and contact: 

Speaker Kurt Daudt
Phone: (651) 296-5364
Email: rep.kurt.daudt@house.mn

Majority Leader Joyce Peppin
Phone:  (651) 296-7806
E-mail:  rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn 

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka

Phone: (651) 296-4875
E-mail:  e-mail form 

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information) .

TAKE ACTION: Relaxing Rules on Health Insurance Companies

The legislature is relaxing the rules on health insurance companies. A few examples: under the bill, insurance companies can cancel your policy if you are a day late on one premium payment (even if your employer is supposed to make it). No grace period anymore! And the bill also makes it easier and more profitable for nonprofit health insurers to convert to for profit insurers.

How to take action:

To take action contact the HHS Conference Committee Chairs: 

Representative Matt Dean
Phone: (651) 296-3018
Email:  rep.matt.dean@house.mn

Senator Michelle Benson
Phone:  (651) 296-3219
E-mail:  sen.michelle.benson@senate.mn 

Senator Jim Abeler
Phone:  (651) 296-3733
E-mail:  sen.jim.abeler@senate.mn

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information) 

TAKE ACTION: Failing to Fund Our Court System

"Justice delayed is justice denied." The current legislative position fails to fund our court system, jeopardizing among other things drug courts, DWI courts and Veterans courts which have proven effective in combatting the rise in substance abuse in Minnesota. As Chief Justice Lorie Gildea said: "The Legislature's failure to prioritize public safety and the justice system . . . Is deeply troubling."

How to take action:

To take action contact the Public Safety Conference Committee Chairs: 

Representative Tony Cornish
Phone: (651) 296-4240
Email: rep.tony.cornish@house.mn

Senator Warren Limmer
Phone:  (651) 296-2159
E-mail:  sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn 

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information) 

TAKE ACTION: Wage Theft

Wage theft is a serious problem in Minnesota. While we have many, many terrific employers, every year 30,000 workers are wrongfully deprived of wages which they earned. Who could disagree that a person who has worked for a wage should be paid? Apparently the legislature which refused to advance a smart proposal to tighten rules and enforcement around wage theft. This may be one of the most outrageous oversights this session.

How to take action:

To take action contact Jobs Conference Committee Chairs: 

Representative Pat Garofalo
Phone: (651) 296-1069
Email: rep.pat.garofalo@house.mn

Senator Jeremy Miller
Phone:  (651) 296-5649
E-mail:  sen.jeremy.miller@senate.mn 

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information) 

TAKE ACTION: Cybersecurity

The legislature is seriously skimping on cybersecurity.

Why does this matter?

Our state government holds large amounts of highly sensitive personal data - Social Security numbers, health data, tax records. The state tends off countless hacker attacks on its systems each day. In South Carolina, a data breach resulted in the exposure of nearly 2 million social security numbers, 700,000 tax returns, and over 3 million bank accounts. Governor Dayton has proposed smart new investments to enhance our cybersecurity but the legislature refuses to go along.

How to take action:

To take action contact State Government Conference Committee Chairs: 

Representative Sarah Anderson
Phone: (651) 296-5511
Email: rep.sarah.anderson@house.mn

Senator Mary Kiffmeyer
Phone:  (651) 296-5655
E-mail:  sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn 

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information)

TAKE ACTION: Elimination of the Office on the Economic Status of Women

The Office on the Economic Status of Women is essentially eliminated. I worked closely with the Office to design and pass the landmark Women's Economic Security Act. In a time when Minnesota women still make 80 cents for every dollar a man earns, eliminating the important work of this office makes no sense, especially since its budget is a rounding error in the overall state budget. To learn more, visit http://www.oesw.leg.mn

How to take action:

To take action contact State Government Conference Committee Chairs: 

Representative Sarah Anderson
Phone: (651) 296-5511
Email: rep.sarah.anderson@house.mn

Senator Mary Kiffmeyer
Phone:  (651) 296-5655
E-mail:  sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn 

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information)

TAKE ACTION: MN Department of Health Budget Reductions

The MN Department of Health faces steep budget reductions. 

Why does this matter? 

The Department is out first line of defense against public health crises. Right now, for instance, Minnesota faces three serious disease outbreaks. The proposed budget would hamstring Health Department response to such outbreaks endangering more Minnesotans.

How to take action:

To take action contact the HHS Conference Committee Chairs: 

Representative Matt Dean
Phone: (651) 296-3018 
Email: rep.matt.dean@house.mn

Senator Michelle Benson
Phone:  (651) 296-3219
E-mail:  sen.michelle.benson@senate.mn 

Senator Jim AbelerPhone: (651) 296-3733
E-mail:  sen.jim.abeler@senate.mn 

(Thank you State Representative Paul Thissen for providing this information)