Archives

Lt. Governor Tina Smith released the following statement today concerning House Republicans’ proposal to eliminate funding for the Minnesota Broadband Infrastructure Grant Fund. “I am disappointed in House Republicans’ proposal to eliminate funding for greater Minnesota broadband infrastructure.

Governor Mark Dayton today introduced a Jobs Bill that would invest $842 million in infrastructure projects statewide, creating more than 23,900* Minnesota jobs. This new Jobs Bill would help addresses many of the state’s critical infrastructure needs, while strengthening Minnesota’s economy and putting thousands of people to work.

Governor Dayton and nine city mayors in Minnesota issued proclamations announcing April as Safe Digging Month. The proclamations urge homeowners to call 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects to prevent injuries, property damage, repair costs and inconvenient outages. This April marks the eighth annual National Safe Digging Month, reminding Minnesota residents to always call 811 two working days before any digging project

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) reintroduced today the Common Sense Housing Investment Act (H.R. 1662) to make it easier for middle class and working families to find affordable rental housing and benefit from homeownership

In January, Governor Mark Dayton proposed an honest, straightforward plan to fix Minnesota’s aging, under-funded transportation system and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and an expanding state economy.

Seventy-five railway safety projects – at Minnesota’s most dangerous and congested rail crossings – would be completed statewide, if a proposal from Governor Mark Dayton is passed this session. Governor Dayton today revealed a comprehensive list of those specific projects, which were compiled by experts at the Minnesota Department of Transportation and chosen based on their levels of danger and congestion.

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) has joined several Senate colleagues in pressing a major new bipartisan measure to create a national energy strategy that increases energy efficiency, creates jobs, saves consumers money, and protects the environment

Funding will support safety and energy efficiency improvements for more than 2,400 units (Saint Paul, MN) Minnesota Housing approved funding awards today to make urgent safety and energy conservation improvements to the state’s aging public housing stock. These funding awards are part of the record level of support for affordable housing approved by the Legislature and Governor Dayton in the 2014 bonding bill.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) penned the following op-ed in the Minneapolis Star Tribune this morning on our current housing investements.

Legislation authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) combating sex trafficking passed the Senate by unanimous consent. The bill, H.R. 4980, the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, includes provisions from previous Paulsen legislation that improves data and law enforcement reporting for youth who are at-risk of being trafficked. In addition, H.R. 4980 makes critical changes to the foster care system to decrease the likelihood that children will run away or become homeless. A study by the Department of Health and Human Services found that 1 in 3 children are lured into sex trafficking within 48 hours of being on the street.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) has passed the Senate and will now head to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The final legislation contains several key provisions Klobuchar fought to include that will help strengthen Minnesota’s water infrastructure and economy. The bipartisan agreement will help keep invasive carp out of Minnesota’s waterways, ensure the long-term viability of the inland waterway system, including the Mississippi River, address port and harbor maintenance on the Great Lakes, and advance key flood protection projects

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is charging a St. Cloud, MN, apartment owner with violating the Fair Housing Act for allegedly citing a “no pets” policy after learning that a prospective resident with disabilities required an emotional support animal.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)announced today that it is charging a Jackson, Minnesota, landlord with violating the Fair Housing Act for allegedly refusing to rent an apartment to a woman and her young daughter. HUD’s charge alleges that the owner refused to rent to the family because he preferred not to rent to families with children.

In advance of a meeting with Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Maurice Jones, Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-05) wrote HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan calling for the expansion of the Minneapolis Multi-family housing office. HUD announced on April 30th that the Minneapolis multi-family field office staff would be relocated as part of a nationwide consolidation. In response, Rep. Ellison organized a meeting with Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones and Marie Head, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multi-Family Housing.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Member of the House Financial Services Committee and Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement after President Obama announced his intent to nominate Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which supervises Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks