minus the trans nonsense (because of course 
), that new agenda is 
), that new agenda is 
Minnesota as test case for liberal/progressive power
- Thread starter GnauzBookOfRhymes
- Start date
fukk that. if you're driving uber, and not doing the math on whether it's worth it, then take responsibility or quit. we don't need big government holding their fukkin handsProps to the legislature for doing what they've done with a such slim majorities, but the governor still a bytch for vetoing the Uber bill.
these uber drivers dont even want to drive on a schedule, which is what you're advocating for
George Takei :verified: đłď¸âđđđ˝ (@georgetakei@universeodon.com)
Attached: 1 image If you ever think your vote doesnât matter, take a look at what happened in MN. 321 votes was the difference between nothing moving forward and a progressive triumph this session.
If you ever think your vote doesnât matter, take a look at what happened in MN. 321 votes was the difference between nothing moving forward and a progressive triumph this session.
The Minnesota Miracle
Sometimes you just have to gush. Earlier this week, the Minnesota legislature completed its first 2023 session, sending whatâs become known as the stateâs âOne Budgetâ to the desk of governor Tim Walz. On Wednesday, he signed the massive $72 billion enactment into law.
statuskuo.substack.com
The Minnesota Miracle
JAY KUO
MAY 25, 2023
Sometimes you just have to gush.
Earlier this week, the Minnesota legislature completed its first 2023 session, sending whatâs become known as the stateâs âOne Budgetâ to the desk of governor Tim Walz. On Wednesday, he signed the massive $72 billion enactment into law.
The budget caps a monumental session for the stateâs Democratic lawmakers, known in Minnesota as the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party or DFL. Through painstaking, grassroots activism, the DFL gained three state senate seats in 2022 to win a single seat majority in that chamber. That meant, for the first time in eight years, that the DFL held a majority in both chambers of the legislature and, with Walz in the governorâs mansion, there was a trifecta for Democratic government.
This time, the party wouldnât waste any of its momentum. With many younger, first-time committee chairs in place, progressive leaders in the House, banking on their one-vote margin in the state Senate, pushed forward with a long-sought agenda to transform Minnesota. They tackled everything from labor laws to climate change, education to voting rights, bodily autonomy to gun safety. And they did it in five furiously paced months of hard work.
It was a 30-point checklist, and they hit all of their priorities. They paid for the programs with increases on sales taxes in the Twin Cities metro area, increases in vehicle registration fees, taxes on companies receiving global income, and reduced deductions for the wealthy. The GOP predictably hated these tax increases and complained bitterly about its inability to prevent the legislation from advancing. But unless and until they have their own trifecta in place, it will be hard to undo much of this.
Today I want to walk through these groundbreaking legislative victories for three reasons.
First, they are a model for what is possible under unified Democratic governance, and other states should take note. (Iâm looking at you, New York.) Second, they show that moderates and progressives within the Democratic Party can come together and pass meaningful, transformative legislation, even if they have to ignore Republican protests and overcome their intransigence and obstruction. And third, with so much of the former Confederacy backsliding into an authoritarian hellscape, we really need some wins to celebrate. And boy are these some wins.
So letâs talk about the New Vikings and what they did. In this summary, Iâm borrowing heavily from the research and list created by metro policy analyst Will Stancil, from PBS, from Democracy Docket, and from local media such as the Duluth News Tribune.
Pro family and pro-healthcare laws
The centerpiece of the budget created a taxpayer-funded, paid family and medical leave program for the stateâs workers. It establishes 12 weeks of medical leave with a 20-week annual cap. Participation by businesses is mandatory unless they privately offer equivalent benefits. This will primarily affect the nearly one million low wage workers in the state who prior to this had no paid time off.
Workers will receive compensation based on their wagesâand 90 percent of normal pay for those under the state average wage, and between 50 to 66 percent for those above the average. The law raised the number of workers receiving paid leave from 25 percent to 100 percent.
The vote passed 34-33 along party lines.
The programâs launch is funded by $668 million out of the budget surplus of $17.5 billion, and its continuing costs come from a new payroll tax of 0.7% split between employers and employeesâan average of around $3 extra per worker in taxes each week. The program begins in 2026; the time is needed to establish a new office to administer the program.
The budget also assists poor families with children by authorizing a child tax credit. It will provide up to $1,750 per child for low income families, filling in a big gap left when the federal government, thanks to Joe Manchin (D-WV), failed to renew the pandemic-era federal child tax credit.
In other healthcare wins, the state will now have a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that will set price caps for costly drugs. It also bumped up salaries for home health workers to help address a shortage of in-home nurses.
The Dems also expanded protections for pregnant and nursing workers to everyone, not just those working for big companies, and made childcare more affordable.
Bodily autonomy laws
The legislature codified the protections of Roe v. Wade that the U.S. Supreme Court had stripped away in its 2022 Dobbs decision. With this lawâs passage, the stateâs Republicans wonât be able to use the courts to endanger abortion rights. The abortion rights bill in particular was a priority, and Minnesota was the first state to pass new legislation to put such protections into place. The DFL credits voter enthusiasm around abortion rights for fueling their victories in the state Senate, granting them the power to enshrine abortion right protections at the state level without regard to what the courts decide.
The LGBTQ+ community also has good reason to be proud. A set of laws has elevated Minnesota as a trans refuge state, telling trans youth and the trans community at large, âYou belong here.â Specifically, state courts are forbidden from complying with child removal requests, arrests, extraditions or subpoenas relating to gender-affirming health care that someone receives in the state. The state also banned the practice of conversion therapy.
Pro-union and pro-worker laws
Labor had a very good session with the Minnesota DFL Party. A sweeping bill bans noncompete agreements; adds workplace safety inspectors; and protects workers in places like nursing homes, Amazon warehouses, meatpacking plants, construction sites, hospitals and public schools. It also allows unionized teachers to negotiate over class sizes and makes hourly school workers eligible for unemployment during summer break.
A massive shot in the arm for education
Top line, the DFL raised education spending by an impressive 10 percent in the state, spending around $2.3 billion extra on it.
A new law makes breakfasts and lunches free for all public school students. (I have to include this adorable screenshot from a video of the governor being mobbed by kids at the signingâŚ)
Photo credit: John Croman on Twitter
{continued}
The new laws also made public college education free for Minnesota families who make under $80K a year. Students who qualify will no longer be encumbered by huge educational debts simply to obtain a college diploma.
Affordable housing
The budget allocated $1 billion for affordable housing and created a new state housing voucher program for low income renters. Among other things, it provides emergency rental assistance, invests to preserve private housing and provides down payment assistance for low income buyers.
Pro-migrant laws
A new law provides health insurance regardless of immigration status. This was perhaps the most difficult and controversial bill to get through, given the strong anti-migrant rhetoric and laws advanced by Republicans nationwide. Governor Walz signaled he opposed it, too, but the House DFLs didnât care. They pushed it through anyway. California has a similar law on the books.
The DFL also made certain that anyone, regardless of their status as documented or undocumented, can obtain a driverâs license.
Voting rights expansion
A new set of voting rights laws establish automatic voter registration, pre-registration for minors and easier access to absentee balloting. The laws also prohibit mass voter challenges, increase early voting to 18 days and expand rights for employees to take off work to vote early.
Minnesota has also joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which is an alternative to the Electoral College. That agreement among signatory states would ensure that the winner of the national popular vote actually becomes president. Minnesotaâs 10 electoral votes put the number of jurisdictions that have joined the Compact to 16, now comprising 205 of the 270 needed to trigger its provisions.
The Minnesota legislature also restored voting rights to convicted felons as soon as they complete their prison sentences.
Gun safety laws
The state Dems made gun safety a priority. They expanded background checks on all gun transfers and passed red-flag laws that allow authorities to ask courts for âextreme risk protection ordersâ to seize guns from people posing imminent risks to themselves or others.
These bills had been particularly tricky to get past the Senate in the past, which included some rural Democrats whose constituents were opposed to expansion of such laws. But by including them in a broader public safety bill, the rural Dems gained some political cover. The DFL plans further measures, vowing that these are just the beginning of their gun safety agenda.
Infrastructure
The budget allocates money to improve roads and bridges while building necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles. A new sales tax will fund more bus and train lines. The $2.6 billion bonding bill, the biggest in state history, funds improvements to parks, water infrastructure, colleges and more.
There will be also a long-hoped-for new passenger rail line between the Twin Cities and Duluth.
Climate change
A new law provides grants to help people prepare for extreme weather and upgrade old infrastructure. Another creates energy standards for carbon-free electricity by the year 2040.
Environmental programs from reforestation to heat pumps were funded to the tune of $1 billion.
Law enforcement
White supremacists and extremists are now banned from police forces in the state. Probation is now capped at five years for most crimes. Most no-knock warrants are gone. The state made phone calls from prison free. It gave public defenders a big salary hike.
The government also legalized the use of recreational pot, and it legalized the possession of drug paraphernalia (so that programs like needle exchanges can function without fear of legal liability).
Other cool stuff
The state funded the replacement of all lead pipes in the state (the vote here was unanimous including all Republicans). It passed strict regulations against PFASs or âforever chemicals.â It gave the AG the power to block big healthcare mergers. Juneteenth is now an official holiday marking the end of slavery in America. The legislature even addressed the rise in catalytic converter theft in this session.
The Minnesota way
With all of these measures, itâs fair to say that Minnesota has positioned itself as the antithesis to minority GOP rule and as a model for other blue states to follow. Critics warn that the measures go too far and will drive away business and slow economic growth. But for the first time, progressives and moderates within the party are aligned on their priorities, and they amazingly got them all done.
Iâll leave you with a really fun image of how things started and how they are going in Minnesota.
Photo credit: Sydney Jordan on Twitter
The new laws also made public college education free for Minnesota families who make under $80K a year. Students who qualify will no longer be encumbered by huge educational debts simply to obtain a college diploma.
Affordable housing
The budget allocated $1 billion for affordable housing and created a new state housing voucher program for low income renters. Among other things, it provides emergency rental assistance, invests to preserve private housing and provides down payment assistance for low income buyers.
Pro-migrant laws
A new law provides health insurance regardless of immigration status. This was perhaps the most difficult and controversial bill to get through, given the strong anti-migrant rhetoric and laws advanced by Republicans nationwide. Governor Walz signaled he opposed it, too, but the House DFLs didnât care. They pushed it through anyway. California has a similar law on the books.
The DFL also made certain that anyone, regardless of their status as documented or undocumented, can obtain a driverâs license.
Voting rights expansion
A new set of voting rights laws establish automatic voter registration, pre-registration for minors and easier access to absentee balloting. The laws also prohibit mass voter challenges, increase early voting to 18 days and expand rights for employees to take off work to vote early.
Minnesota has also joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which is an alternative to the Electoral College. That agreement among signatory states would ensure that the winner of the national popular vote actually becomes president. Minnesotaâs 10 electoral votes put the number of jurisdictions that have joined the Compact to 16, now comprising 205 of the 270 needed to trigger its provisions.
The Minnesota legislature also restored voting rights to convicted felons as soon as they complete their prison sentences.
Gun safety laws
The state Dems made gun safety a priority. They expanded background checks on all gun transfers and passed red-flag laws that allow authorities to ask courts for âextreme risk protection ordersâ to seize guns from people posing imminent risks to themselves or others.
These bills had been particularly tricky to get past the Senate in the past, which included some rural Democrats whose constituents were opposed to expansion of such laws. But by including them in a broader public safety bill, the rural Dems gained some political cover. The DFL plans further measures, vowing that these are just the beginning of their gun safety agenda.
Infrastructure
The budget allocates money to improve roads and bridges while building necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles. A new sales tax will fund more bus and train lines. The $2.6 billion bonding bill, the biggest in state history, funds improvements to parks, water infrastructure, colleges and more.
There will be also a long-hoped-for new passenger rail line between the Twin Cities and Duluth.
Climate change
A new law provides grants to help people prepare for extreme weather and upgrade old infrastructure. Another creates energy standards for carbon-free electricity by the year 2040.
Environmental programs from reforestation to heat pumps were funded to the tune of $1 billion.
Law enforcement
White supremacists and extremists are now banned from police forces in the state. Probation is now capped at five years for most crimes. Most no-knock warrants are gone. The state made phone calls from prison free. It gave public defenders a big salary hike.
The government also legalized the use of recreational pot, and it legalized the possession of drug paraphernalia (so that programs like needle exchanges can function without fear of legal liability).
Other cool stuff
The state funded the replacement of all lead pipes in the state (the vote here was unanimous including all Republicans). It passed strict regulations against PFASs or âforever chemicals.â It gave the AG the power to block big healthcare mergers. Juneteenth is now an official holiday marking the end of slavery in America. The legislature even addressed the rise in catalytic converter theft in this session.
The Minnesota way
With all of these measures, itâs fair to say that Minnesota has positioned itself as the antithesis to minority GOP rule and as a model for other blue states to follow. Critics warn that the measures go too far and will drive away business and slow economic growth. But for the first time, progressives and moderates within the party are aligned on their priorities, and they amazingly got them all done.
Iâll leave you with a really fun image of how things started and how they are going in Minnesota.
Photo credit: Sydney Jordan on Twitter
AquaCityBoy
Veteran
Uber is not gonna fukk you bro
PoorAndDangerous
Superstar
I would be absolutely horrified to live in Minnesota after passing that agenda, especially having a pedo for Governor. So glad I live in a conservative state /s
Json
Superstar
This is the key.
Dems in Virginia made voting easier and pushed weed legislation, prisoner voting rights, then lost the house and governorship the next cycle. And the Republicans went right back to try and undo it.
PoorAndDangerous
Superstar
Very interesting point.
mastermind
Rest In Power Kobe
Tbh, McAullife ran a shytty campaign, after Black Face Northam, Justin Fairfaxâs rape allegations and the GOP weaponizing the school boards across the state.
good responseUber is not gonna fukk you bro
you communists are increasingly unhinged
they didnt lose over those things, they lost over covid fascism. same thing happpened in nevada
Json
Superstar
That explains the governorship. Not the House
Json
Superstar
The governor did those things. The House didnât
Blue states in the MW are doing pretty well. 
Nice to have MN be another good beacon of hope. Usually just IL pushes things around cause Dems here are basically enshrined into majority. I hope MI and WI get bluer with time.
Also touches that you need someone to lead that charge. I enjoy Pritzker's aggressive behavior on progressive policies, and I'm glad MN has their own people to take charge with the slimmer majority.
Nice to have MN be another good beacon of hope. Usually just IL pushes things around cause Dems here are basically enshrined into majority. I hope MI and WI get bluer with time.Also touches that you need someone to lead that charge. I enjoy Pritzker's aggressive behavior on progressive policies, and I'm glad MN has their own people to take charge with the slimmer majority.