Archives

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

Today the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan amendment authored by Reps. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Tom Marino (R-Penn.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) and Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to H.R. 10, the “Success and Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Act.” The amendment would help to ensure that foster and homeless youth are not unfairly disadvantaged in the enrollment process for charter schools.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement on learning of the apartment building and grocery store fire in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis:

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today as unemployment insurance expires for 1.3 million Americans:

“Since 2002, state and local property taxes have risen by 86%. Property taxes are regressive, disproportionately affecting middle-class Minnesotans, and are levied without taking into account a taxpayer’s income or ability to pay the tax. State and local leaders are working together to stop this decade-long trend

Every year at this time, the Minnesota Department of Revenue releases a list of the preliminary maximum property tax levies that have been reported by local governments and have been passed by local school referenda. Local governments are required to set their preliminary levies by September 15 to provide citizens an opportunity to learn of and comment on proposed tax levels at Truth-in-Taxation hearings

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.

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

The Common Sense Housing Investment Act (H.R. 6677) will make it easier for middle class and working families to be able to stay in their homes and find affordable rental housing. The bill realigns the mortgage interest deduction to better benefit families who need it most by converting the deduction to a 15% flat rate tax credit on mortgages up to $500,000. The bill strengthens the tax benefits for homeowners, while giving working families better access to rental homes.

There is no merit to the claims against MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. and Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) made today by Ramsey and Hennepin Counties in Minnesota. All MERS mortgages are recorded in the county land records and all required fees are paid.

WASHINGTON, DC - February 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) an-nounced today that a homeowners association and property managers for an Edina, MN, condominium will pay more than $40,000 under a Consent Order resolving allegations that they refused to allow children under the age of 18 to live at the property in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

MINNEAPOLIS - February 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Earlier today in federal court, two mortgage loan officers were sentenced for recruiting straw buyers to purchase properties at inflated prices and then distributing the excess loan funds among themselves, the straw buyers, and others involved in the scheme. United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen sentenced Chad Arthur Anderson, age 39, and Troy Allen Huston, age 43, both of Chisago City, to federal prison terms of 60 months and 57 months, respectively, on one count of conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud through the use of interstate wires. They also were ordered to pay more than $4.8 million in restitution. The two were indicted on April 3, 2012, and pleaded guilty on August 13, 2012

Anoka, Minn. - February 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Michele Bachmann released the following statement today reaffirming her support for the Second Amendment.