By STEVE KARNOWSKI
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ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican leaders of the Minnesota Legislature called Tuesday on Democrats to drop a proposed state Equal Rights Amendment, better fund rural ambulance services and make other concessions as part of their price for GOP votes on a public works package and an end to filibustering that has slowed the final work of the 2024 session.
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth complained at a news conference that Republicans have been shut out of shaping the major bills of the session and that they won’t supply the votes necessary to pass the infrastructure projects unless they’re heard.
Johnson, of East Grand Forks, told reporters that bipartisanship will be the most critical piece of any deal they might reach with Democrats who control both chambers of the Legislature, and the leaders indicated there’s room for negotiation.
“Bipartisanship is going to be the spoonful of sugar that makes this whole end-of-session session go down,” Johnson said.
The House and Senate can’t hold any more floor sessions to approve legislation except for those already set for Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While Monday is the scheduled adjournment date, lawmakers can’t pass bills that late. The day will be mostly for retirement speeches and ceremonial functions.
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House Republicans showed Monday that they’re willing to drag out the proceedings to make their displeasure felt. They stretched what would normally have been a fairly routine debate on a “junk fees” ban to seven hours. After another long debate on an elections bill lasted until around midnight, it was too late in the day for the House to take up the Minnesota ERA proposal, which would add protections for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights to the state Constitution. It’s not clear when Democrats might try to bring that up again.
“When our constituents are completely shut out of the conversation, that does have consequences,” said Demuth, of Cold Spring. “We are willing to work with the Democrats to bring this session to an orderly close — if they are going to act like they actually want to work with us over the next four days.”
House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, of St. Paul, said the GOP demands were unacceptable, and that Republicans have been part of the negotiations.
“Republicans have jeopardized the completion of important work by intentionally throwing up roadblocks and delays on the floor, in negotiations, and again today by attempting to score political points with the press and public,” the Democratic leaders said in a joint statement. “We appreciate the Republican leaders accepting our offer to meet, and hope they can come to the ongoing negotiations in good faith and with an earnest dedication to the best interests of the people of Minnesota.”
Democrats have been pushing for a capital investment package known as a bonding bill totaling around $980 million in borrowing and cash. Johnson and Demuth said Republicans want to hold it to $890 million. Apart from delaying proceedings, the bonding bill is one of the few pieces of leverage that Republicans have over the agenda. It takes approval by 60% supermajorities in each chamber for the state to take on more debt in the form of bonds. The narrow Democratic majorities mean some Republican votes are essential.
Republicans also want $30 million more for rural emergency medical services, but Democrats have resisted. GOP leaders also want assurances that Democratic Gov. Tim Walz will sign a bill that restores exemptions for religious organizations that were deleted from the state Human Rights Act last year as part of an expansion of transgender rights. They want Democrats to drop a proposal to allow the public to buy into the MinnesotaCare health plan that’s now limited to lower-income people. They want tweaks to the elections bill. And they want to limit gun safety legislation to higher penalties for “straw buyers” who purchase firearms for people who can’t legally possess them, while dropping Democratic proposals for stronger safe storage requirements for guns and a ban on “binary” rapid-fire triggers.
FAQs
The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment would guarantee every Minnesotan the same rights under the law, and codify protections against discrimination by the state based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex — including pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual ...
What is the new law in Minnesota 2024? ›
As reported in last year's alert, Minnesota created a statewide sick and safe time leave law, entitling employees as of January 1, 2024, to accrue at least one hour of sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, with various requirements related to sick and safe time.
How many representatives does Minnesota have? ›
Current members
The House delegation has 8 members, including 4 Democrats and 4 Republicans.
What do Republicans believe in? ›
To this end, they advocate in favor of laissez-faire economics, limited government, free markets and free trade, tax cuts, reduced government spending, privatization, and the reduction of government run welfare programs in favor of private-sector nonprofits and encouraging personal responsibility.
What would the ERA amendment do? ›
The Equal Rights Amendment would provide a fundamental legal remedy against sex discrimination for both women and men. It would guarantee that the rights affirmed by the U.S. Constitution are held equally by all citizens without regard to their sex.
What does it take to amend the Minnesota Constitution? ›
The legislature approves an act to change the constitution
The act must be approved by a majority vote of both bodies of the legislature. A constitutional amendment is just like a session law, but does not require the governor's signature, and a governor's veto has no effect.
Who is the Democratic representative for Minnesota? ›
Ilhan Omar represents Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs.
What political party is against gun control? ›
Though gun control is not strictly a partisan issue, there is generally more support for gun control legislation in the Democratic Party than in the Republican Party. The Libertarian Party, whose campaign platforms favor limited government regulation, is outspokenly against gun control.
What is the nickname of the Democratic Party? ›
Members of the party are called "Democrats" or "Dems". The most common mascot symbol for the party has been the donkey, or jackass.
What do Democrats believe in? ›
From workers' rights to protecting the environment, equal pay to fighting the special interests, Democrats believe we can and should make life better for families across our nation. fairness, justice, and equality for all by standing up for all middle-class Americans and those struggling to get there.
What is the full text of the Equal Rights Amendment? Section 1: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Section 2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
What is the Minnesota Legacy amendment? ›
In 2008, Minnesota voters passed a constitutional amendment,1 often referred to as the “Legacy Amendment,” that increased the state's sales tax by 3/8ths of 1 percent for 25 years and dedicated the receipts to four separate funds that are targeted to outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and ...
What amendment number is ERA? ›
Following its ratification by the 38th state (Virginia), supporters of the ERA argued that if Congress were to adopt legislation rescinding the 1982 deadline, the ERA would become the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.
What is the new proposed Equal Rights Amendment? ›
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would, if added, explicitly prohibit sex discrimination. It was written by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman and introduced in Congress in December 1923 as a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution.