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Public Policy Issues (Archive 2.14.05)
This legislative update published February 14, 2005
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”
— Oscar Wilde
1. Strangulation Bill Update
2. Minimum Wage Bill Passed In Senate
3. Family Law Bill Hits Senate
4. Bill To Restore MFIP Cuts Starts Journey Through Legislature
5. Real ID Act to Affect Asylum-seekers Fleeing Domestic Violence
6. 2005 Violence Against Women Day at the Capitol
7. Federal Community development Grants Face Cuts
8. The Insider’s Guide: Capitol Lab Workshops
9. You Are Part of an Expanding Online Community
10. Girls Rock! the Capitol
11. The Week Ahead at the Capitol: Issues and Hearings
12. Contact Us
1. Strangulation Bill Update
The House Public Safety Policy and Finance Committee, chaired by Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), met at the new Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women office on February 3 for an informational hearing regarding a bill which would make strangulation of a family or household member a felony-level crime. Presentations were given by Dr. Mary Carr who is an emergency room physician, Carolyn Ham of the Battered Women’s Justice Project, Sergeant Dean Christensen of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Family Violence Unit, and a strangulation survivor.
An earlier Pioneer Press article stated that the proposed law would make intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or blocking the nose or throat a felony punishable with up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It does not require that police detect immediate signs of bodily harm.
The House version of the bill HF963, authored by Rep. Steve Smith (R-Mound), was introduction on February 10 and referred to the House Judiciary and Policy Finance Committee.
The Senate companion bill SF934, authored by Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-Minneapolis) was just introduced on February 14 and referred to the Senate Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee.
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2. Minimum Wage Bill Passed In Senate
Members of the Senate devoted most of the floor session on February 3 to a debate on a bill to increase the minimum wage. SF3 , authored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul) would raise the minimum wage payable by large employers to $6.10 per hour on July 1, 2005 and to $7.00 per hour one year later. The minimum wage payable by small employers would go up to $5.85 per hour and $6.75 per hour on the same timeline. The measure would increase so-called training wage, payable to employees younger than 20 during their first 90 days of work, from $4.25 to $5.15 per hour. The Senate passed the bill on 37-28 roll call vote.
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3. Family Law Bill Hits Senate
A bill was introduced to reform and recodify divorce, child custody, child support, and property division in state family law. Bill SF630 authored by Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield), was introduced on January 31 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley). The bill is similar brought forward last year by Sen. Neuville, which stalled in committee all session and never moved foreward.
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4. Bill To Restore MFIP Cuts Starts Journey Through Legislature
Last week, the Senate Health and Family Security Committee passed a bill that would eliminate housing and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) penalties for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) recipients (SF254). Chief author Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) and other supporting Senators held a press conference before the committee hearing. Lynn Vincent shared how life for her family has changed since the cuts and how she has tried to make ends meet for herself and her two sons, one of whom also receives SSI for a disability.
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5. Real ID Act to Affect Asylum-seekers Fleeing Domestic Violence
Last week, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) introduced legislation, the Real ID Act, which would require all states to comply with strong security standards when issuing driver's licenses. The REAL ID Act would have strong implications for refugees seeking safe haven in the United States. Under the proposed law’s provisions, many individuals who have fled persecution (including severe domestic violence, rape, sexual slavery, honor killing, forced marriage and torture) may be denied asylum.
The measure would tighten the asylum system, implement tough identification standards and mandate expiration of driver’s licenses when a non-citizen’s Visa expires.
6. 2005 Violence Against Women Day at the Capitol
Mark your calendars for the most exciting day of the year to take a stand for peaceful communities, families and relationships.
On Wednesday March 2, a legislative training and dinner at the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW) office will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Topics covered at the training are how to talk to your legislatores, grassroots organizing, and policy issues. A training fee for non-MCBW members is $25 per person. Please pre-register for the training no later than February 18 by going to the MCBW website.
On Thursday March 3, you will have an opportunity to meet with your legislators in the morning and early afternoon, then participate in the Violence Against Women Action Day Rally at the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda at 1:30, which will include the Memorial for the 2004 victims of feminicide and sexual assault. Then “March to Keep Doors Open for Women and Children” from the Capitol to the MCBW office. The unveiling of the 2004 Clothesline Project and reception at the MCBW office will be at 3:00 p.m.
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7. Federal Community Development Grants Face Cut
The Bush Administration is proposing drastic cuts to the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG). The city of Minneapolis received $16.3 million on CDBG funds last year. In Minneapolis, the program primarily funds the creation of affordable housing, with last year’s CDBG funds allocated to create 300 affordable homes and to improve neighborhoods. Tubman Family Alliance receives CDBG funds to help families transition out of violence. CDBG also funds adult and youth employment programs, truancy centers, legal aid, graffiti removal and non-discriminatory housing programs.
CDBG would be consolidated with 17 other community and economic development programs—with this total new program funded at a level of $1 billion less than CDBG alone was funded last year. As a part of the Administration’s new “Strengthening America’s Communities Grant Program,” CDBG would compete with the 17 other programs for this vastly reduced funding pool. The consolidated program would be housed in the U.S. Commerce Department.
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8. The Insider’s Guide: Capitol Lab Workshops
The Capitol Lab, sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, is a fun and unique, site-based training for nonprofits to become more familiar with the state Capitol complex and its resources. The emphasis is on access to information, comfort with using resources available to the public, demystifying the legislative arena, and engaging in advocacy at the Capitol. Participants have the opportunity to meet with your legislators and staff to discuss the best ways to communicate effectively on key issues.
Capital Lab workshops are held:
Friday, February 18, 2005 9:00 – 11:30 a.m., Room 229 in the State Capital building, St. Paul
Tuesday, February 22, 2005 9 – 11:30 a.m., Room 229 in the State Capital building, St. Paul
These labs are free and open to the public. To attend, please RSVP by emailing Elena@mncn.org, or call 651-642-1904 ext. 250 and include your name, organization, address, phone, e-mail address and the date of the workshop you would like to attend.
Click here for directions to the Capitol and parking information.
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9. You Are Part Of An Expanding Online Community
Thank you for joining our growing online community concerned about the prevention of family violence. The first edition of this public policy on-line newsletter resulted in 135 visits to our webpage. By the end of January, nearly 280 people like you visited the site for key family violence prevention public policy issues. Thus far, in February we have received more than 140 hits.
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10. Girls Rock! the Capitol
Girls Rock! the Capitol, an event sponsored by the Minnesota Women's Consortium, is quickly approaching this President's Day, February 21, from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The all-day event includes workshops for elementary, middle and high school girls, tours of the State Capitol, a forum with Sen. Mee Moua (DFL-St. Paul), meetings with legislators and a welcome from Rep. Neva Walker (DFL-Minneapolis).
Girls Rock! empowers girls through education, mutual support and citizen action. This event inspires girls to grow into young women who are involved and active in politics, and in turn, those young women might run for office in the future. Help these girls break into the political pipeline at this grassroots level and volunteer the day of the event. Volunteers are needed to help with elementary and middle school workshops. To volunteer, contact Erin Moline at the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus Education Council (MWPC-EC) at emoline@mnwpc.org or call 651-228-0995.
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11. The Week Ahead at the Capitol: Issues and Hearings
Many of the House and Senate finance committees will continue to review the Governor's proposed budget, as well as hear budget overview testimony from state agencies and departments. The House will present its bonding bill sometime this week, and there will be a joint session of the House and Senate to select new members of the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents.
Upcoming hearings of interest include:
Tuesday: Public testimony about the Governor's budget proposals for human services and health care (Senate Committee)
Tuesday: Sex offender civil commitment, and civil commitment of chemically dependent pregnant women (Senate Committee).
Wednesday: Testimony by local leaders on homelessness and housing issues (House Committee)
Thursday: Public testimony on four methamphetamine-related bills. (Senate Committee)
Thursday: Report from early childhood caucus, mental health caucus and teacher licensure issues (House Committee)
Thursday: Hearing on expanded protection from employer retaliation for crime victims. (House Committee)
Thursday: Hearing on sex offenders and child custody and large-scale reforms to divorce, custody, and child support. (Senate Committee); Feb. 17 at 12:00, Room 122, State Capitol, St. Paul. Chair: Sen. Thomas Neuville (R-Northfield); members: Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), Sen. Wesley J. Skoglund (DFL-Minneapolis), Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie).
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12. 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.
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This Public Policy Updated Published February 14, 2005.
Editor: Randy Schubring
Writers: Christina Fahling and Margaret Ostrander
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