Public Policy Issues (Archive 2.2.05)
This legislative update published February 2, 2005
“I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death;
if I could not have one, I would have the other.”
-- Harriet Tubman (1820-1913)
1. Gov. Proposes $500K increase for Crime Victims, No Cuts to Shelter
2. Public Hearing On Strangulation Bill
3. Potential Bush Administration Community Development Cuts
4. Governor Pawlenty Releases State Budget Plan
5. Support Increased Funding For Youth Intervention Programs
6. First Bill To Pass The House In 2005
7. Minnesota Violence Against Women Day —Save The Date
8. Crime Victims Reports Heard In Committee
9. Supervision Of Sex Offenders Heard In Legislative Committee
10. Impact Of Drugs On Court System
11. Department Of Human Services Overview Of Governor's Budget
12. Judiciary Committee Overview of Mental Health Court
13. Sex Offender Legislation Overview
14. Want To Attend A Committee Meeting? Here's How
15. Ashcroft Fails To Decide Key Immigration Case
16. The Amazing Race And Domestic Violence
17. Contact Us
1. Gov. Proposes $500K increase for Crime Victims, No New Cuts for Shelters
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has proposed increased funding for Crime Victim Services in the amount of $532,00 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 and $532,000 for FY2007 in his recently released budget. In addition, the governor’s budget does not include any new cuts to shelter programs, which sustained $2.6 million in cuts in 2003.
While it is good news that the governor will not ask for additional cuts to shelter programs across the state, the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW) plans to draft a bill to reinstate the $2.6 million in 2006 and $2.6 million in 2007. In addition, MCBW along with the Minnesota Council Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA) plan to request crime victim services funding in the amount of $1.2 million for 2006 and $1.2 million for 2007, which is twice the amount proposed by the governor.
Back to Top
2. Public Hearing on Strangulation Bill
The Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women (MCBW) intends to introduce a bill making it a felony to strangle a family or household member. This initiative would create a new law intended to protect victims of family violence from strangulation and establish strict penalties for those who inflict this type of abuse.
House Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee
Chair: Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound)
Agenda: Tour of the Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women headquarters,
informal hearing on the lethality of strangulation in domestic violence
When: Thursday, February 3, 2005, 10:15 AM – 12 noon
Where: MCBW Office, 590 Park Street, Suite 410, St. Paul, MN
The hearing will include presentations from Dr. Mary Carr, an ER Physician; Carolyn Ham, Battered Women's Justice Project, Minneapolis Police Sergeant Dean Christensen and a domestic abuse survivor.
For directions please call MCBW at 651-646-6177, or 1-800-289-6177.
Back to Top
3. Potential Bush Administration Community Development Cuts
About 80 faith and community leaders met with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak on Friday, January 28 to discuss possible cuts to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding that could be proposed by President Bush when he presents his budget on February 7. The President may be considering a budget proposal that would cut CDBG and other Federal funding for local programs by as much as 50 percent. In 2005 cities and counties in Minnesota, along with the State itself will receive about $65 million dollars—down from $68.4 in 2004.
The City of Minneapolis will receive $15.4 of CDBG funds in 2005, down from $16.3 in 2004. These dollars are used to fund housing, employment and training program, removal of blight in neighborhoods, and critical social service needs. In most cases, the City accomplishes this work by enlisting the help of community partners to provide these services. Tubman Family Alliance receives CDGB funds to help women transition out of violence.
The mayor’s office is collecting statistical information and stories associated with the statistics on the impact that CDBG has had in our community. These stories can also be shared by e-mailing them to the Mayor’s Office at mayor@ci.minneapolis.mn.us.
Back to Top
4. Governor Pawlenty releases state budget plan
On January 25, Gov. Tim Pawlenty released his proposed state budget plan stating that it reflects “traditional Minnesota values: promoting quality education, protecting our children and at-risk populations, maintaining safe and livable communities, and a concern for the environment.” Among the spending increases: $90 million for Public Safety programs to provide funding for prisons, courts, and programs dealing with new criminal and security threats we face, and a “$656 million increase in general fund spending for Health and Human Services to meet our commitments to our children, elderly, disabled and at-risk populations to provide a stable safety net”.
Gov. Pawlenty’s proposal would continue funding for economic development programs, utilizing existing money for job training and workforce development, while eliminating funding for lower priority programs. Additional budgetary savings are redirected toward key priorities in Health & Human Services. Increases are proposed for supportive housing as a part of the effort to end long-term homelessness, improving mental health benefits with a focus on children, efforts for Indian Child Welfare, and teens aging out of foster care, as well as grants to effectively implement the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. The budget also includes a $15 million reduction for the Housing Finance Agency (MHFA). Of this reduction, a $10 million is intended to be redirected to the Department of Human Services to provide additional support services for homeless Minnesotans. The MHFA also proposes to redirect $4 million to the Housing Trust Fund program as part of the Governor’s initiative to end homelessness.
Gov. Pawlenty also intends to provide additional resources for the Department of Public Safety’s Predatory Offender System to enhance monitoring of sexual predators and funding for DNA analysis of felony offenders.
Back to Top
5. Support Increased Funding For Youth Intervention Programs
The Youth Intervention Program Association (YIPA) advocates for community-based early intervention programs in Minnesota and continued funding of Youth Intervention Programs (YIP). Youth Intervention Programs provide counseling, education, prevention and referral services to youth who are at risk of child abuse, family violence, chemical abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, prostitution, truancy and running away from home.
Consider the following:
- Cost per day for youth intervention programs: 52 cents per child.
- Cost per day for incarceration: $45 per inmate.
- Governments and taxpayers save $2 to $4 for every dollar that is spent on youth intervention programs.
Two years ago, YIP’s budget was cut by 27 percent. YIPA has put together a bill, sponsored by Sen. Dallas Sams (DFL-Staples) and Rep. Andy Westerberg (R-Blaine) that would expand funding for its programs to $2 million per year, which is an 11 percent increase from funds received before the cuts two years ago.
Currently, the YIPA bill is facing Committee approval in both the Minnesota House and Senate. Please click on the links below for a listing of the House and Senate committee members to contact them regarding your opinion on this important bill. In the interest of Minnesota’s children and the future healthiness of our communities, ask these legislators to support an increase in funding for the Youth Intervention Programs.
Senate Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Committee
House Jobs and Economic Opportunity Committee
6. First Bill To Pass The House In 2005
The first bill to pass the House in 2005 is a $30.4 million deficiency spending measure to help keep afloat the Criminal Gang Strike Force, public defenders, and handful of other state programs who are slated for a budget squeeze by June 30 or sooner. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud), HF57 passed January 20 by a 131-2 vote. It now moves to the Senate, where Sen. Richard Cohen (D-St. Paul) is the sponsor of the companion bill, SF350.
Some of the larger appropriations would include:
- $13.4 million for regional treatment centers for civilly committed sex offenders.
- $7.7 million to offset the loss of public defender co-pay revenue after the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that a 2003 law obligating defendants to pay $50 for a public defender was unconstitutional.
- $4.4 million to help offset corrections costs driven in part by more methamphetamine offenders resulting in an unanticipated prison population growth and rising health costs to combat tooth decay and Hepatitis C with that population.
”I hope that this can bow be the first chapter of many chapters of Democrats and Republicans working together,” said Minority Leader Matt Entenza (D-St. Paul), “this bill sets the right first tone”.
Back to Top
7. 2005 Violence Against Women Action Day Mary 2 & 3—Save the Date!
Wednesday, March 2 attend a Legislative Training and dinner at the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women offices in St. Paul from 4 to 8 p.m., then on Thursday, March 3 join the rally in the State Capitol Rotunda, meet with your legislators and witness the unveiling of the 2004 Clothesline Project. Please visit Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women to register.
Back to Top
8. Crime Victims Reports Heard
A joint State Senate Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee and House Public Safety Budget Division heard an overview of crime victims services by Department of Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Mary Ellison. The office provides reparations to crime victims, grants to local programs for crime victim assistance, training for criminal justice professionals and information to crime victims.
Cyndi Cook, executive director of the Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women, presented the 2004 femicide report, which focuses on women and children who die from domestic violence or while being used in prostitution.
Marna Anderson, executive director of Minnesota WATCH, presented a report on the safety of battered women seeking orders of protection. A report on the governmental response to domestic violence against immigrant and refugee women was presented by Cheryl Thomas of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. Carolyn Hamm of the Battered Women’s Justice Project discussed how incomplete data collection allows domestic abusers to gain access to firearms.
Back to Top
9. Supervision Of Sex Offenders Discussed
Tthe Legislative Auditor released its report on Community Supervision of Sex Offenders, which says supervision practices need more state-level coordination, tools such as home visits and polygraphs should be used more often, treatment should be better funded and making appropriate house arrangements is a key part of sex offender supervision.
Joel Alter, program evaluation coordinator, said the number of sex offenders in Minnesota's prisons has doubled since 1990. The number is important because almost all offenders in prison will be under community supervision at some point. He said there are increasing periods of supervision following prison because of longer prison sentences and conditional release, which was instituted in 1998. The average length of probation sentences have remained fairly constant at about 13 years, he said.
The report also recommends:
-- the law be clarified to provide that treatment assessments be completed prior to sentencing,
-- Courts should be reminded of the statutory requirement for assessment of all repeat sex offenders, and
-- state law should require the Dept. of Corrections to provide relevant prison records to agencies that assume supervision responsibilities.
Back to Top
10. Impacts Of Drugs On Court System
At the House Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee meeting last week, Ramsey County Judge Joann Smith and Deputy Commissioner Mary Ellison, Dept. of Public Safety, discussed the increasing number of criminal cases involving drug or alcohol problems, including methamphetamine abuse and repeat drunk driving offenses. Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), Committee Chair, also reviewed the increasing use of drug courts and other specialized, problem-solving courts, which are more likely to rely on treatment and supervision to address offenders' problems. Panel members also heard from citizens who have successfully completed a drug court regimen and who have participated in staggered sentencing.
Back to Top
11. Department of Human Services overview of Governor’s Budget
Senate Health & Services Budget Division
Chair: Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis)
Agenda: Department of Human Services overview of governor's budget
When: 9 AM, Tuesday, February 1
Where: Room 123, State Capitol , St. Paul
Back to Top
12. Judiciary Committee over view of Mental Health Court in Hennepin County
Senate Judiciary Committee
Chair: Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley)
Agenda: Over view of Mental Health Court in Hennepin County:
When: 12 noon, Tuesday, February 1
Where: Room 112 State Capitol, St. Paul
The Committee will hear from Amy Klobuchar, Hennepin County attorney and Judge Richard Hopper, 4th Judicial District.
Back to Top
13. Sex Offender Legislation Overview
Senate Joint Crime Prevention Budget Division and Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee
Chairs: Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Minneapolis) and Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Anoka)
Agenda: Sex Offender Legislation Overview
When: Wednesday, February 2, 2005, 12:00 p.m.
Where: Room: 112 State Capitol, St. Paul
Back to Top
14. Want To Attend A Committee Meeting? Here’s How
If you are interested in tracking legislation or a committee’s work, call the committee hotlines for prerecorded messages with the meeting times and agendas for each day: House (651)296-9283; Senate (651)296-8088. Weekly agendas are also available online at www.house.mn or www.senate.mn
Committee meetings are open to the public. When a public hearing is scheduled, the committee may listen to comments from the audience (when time permits) in addition to scheduled speakers. Committees have different policies on hearing testimony depending upon their size and workload. Informational handouts that committee members receive during meetings or hearings are considered public information and are available to the audience on first come first serve basis.
Groups and individuals wanting to testify before a committee should call the appropriate committee’s legislative assistant well in advance of the meeting and ask to be placed on the agenda. Committee information, including legislative assistants, can be found at the Minnesota Legislature website. Committees prefer requests one-week in advance of the meeting but will accept later notification when unexpected issues appear on the committee schedule. A brochure containing tips on testifying at legislative committee hearings is available from the House Information Services Office.
Back to Top
15. Ashcroft Fails To Decide Key Immigration Case
After taking the asylum request of Rodi Adali Alvarado Pea, a domestic violence survivor, under advisement and delaying a decision for years, Attorney General John Ashcroft will leave office without deciding the case, he announced Friday.
Women like Rodi Alvardo, who are fleeing domestic violence, honor killings, sexual slavery and other forms of gender-based violence, “deserve asylum in this country,“ says Esta Soler, president of the Family Violence Prevention Fund. She added, “as the president begins his second term, we urge him to put meaning behind his words of compassion for women facing violence in Aphganistan, Iraq, and elsewhere, by quickly granting asylum to Rodi Alvarado and other women who are seeking to escape gender-based violence”.
Over the course of her marriage, Rodi Alvarado’s husband turned their home in Guatemala into a virtual torture chamber. He beat and raped her, whipped and kicked her until she lost consciousness, threatened her with machetes and guns, and attempted to abort their second child by kicking her until she hemorrhaged.
Groups as diverse s Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Amnesty International-USA, Concerned Women for America, and the Family Violence Prevention Center have pressed for asylum for Alvarado.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Associated Press that it will not deport Alvarado. But only a favorable decision on asylum will give her legal status she needs to bring her children to the U.S. – and only a favorable decision will help other women who are seeking to escape gender-based violence. (story taken from the Family Violence Prevention Fund)
Back to Top
16. The Amazing Race and Domestic Violence
This season, CBS’ Emmy Award winning reality show has featured a contestant, Jonathan Baker, who has persistently abused his wife, Victoria Fuller, on the air. Weeks of verbal abuse turned physical when Baker shoved and nearly knocked Fuller to the ground in January. The scenes have been distressing to viewers – particularly domestic violence survivors and parents who once found the show to be family-friendly and educational for their children.
Although the host and other contestants chastised Baker at times, he suffered no consequences for his abuse. And, to date, CBS has taken no apparent steps to condemn his actions or help viewers cope with what they saw. The network has re-shown the abuse repeatedly when it airs “highlights” from past episodes.
Although Baker and Fuller were eliminated last week, advocates continue to urge CBS to act responsibly by giving viewers information about domestic violence, including referrals to the National Domestic Violence Hotline and other resources.
To help, contact your local CBS affiliate and urge it to act responsibly by giving viewers referrals to national and local domestic violence services and information during the program and on the web.
Back to Top
17. Contact Us
This legislative update is produced by Tubman Family Alliance, a pioneer in family violence prevention nationwide. Tubman Family Alliance offers a full range of services for all community members—men, women, and children—with the aim of preventing and ending family violence.
Get involved by volunteering at Tubman Family Alliance, or invite the Tubman Speaker’s Bureau to bring violence prevention outreach to your workplace, faith community, civic group or professional association.
For further information on legislative issues and how you can help take action, contact Randy Schubring, Director of Public Affairs at Tubman Family Alliance at 651-770-8544/612-825-3333 or at grassroots@tubmanfamilyalliance.org.
Back to Top
This Public Policy Updated Published February 2, 2005.
Editor: Randy Schubring
Writers: Christina Fahling and Margaret Ostrander
|
