Sen. Latz Week in Review: The Session is Over

[The following news release comes from the office of Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44)]

 

Well, we finished the legislative session with little time to spare – on day 119 of the 120 days allowed.  For the record, it is the second longest legislative biennium in State history. We finished 2012 with another constitutional amendment on the ballot, a small bonding bill and a Vikings stadium.

My biggest disappointment was that Southwest Light Rail Transit (SW LRT) was not included in the final bonding package. Despite heroic efforts by the metro region’s chambers of commerce, the local governments along the line, Hennepin County and the Metropolitan Council not one single dime of State money was included for SW LRT. While the State only has to contribute 10% of the cost for the project and the fact that it was one of the top priorities for the southwest metro, the project was completely rejected by the Republican majority’s leadership. Because of that, I did not vote for the bonding bill.

Despite that disappointment, I did have a few highlights of the session. I was very happy to have passed two provisions into law to help a local business owner along with other liquor store owners; liquor stores can now market themselves by selling items with their business’s logo on them and also can charge for beer & wine educational classes that they offer in their stores. I am proud to have been able to help craft a law that will enable prosecutors to charge someone with a felony who knowingly neglects a vulnerable adult and causes substantial bodily harm. I was also pleased to pass a law suggested by our local City of Hopkins prosecutor enabling the use of female genital mutilation to increase punishment in a domestic assault.

Once again, I will be joining Rep. Steve Simon & Rep. Ryan Winkler to discuss the conclusion of the 2012 Legislative Session. Please mark your calendars for:

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 9

• Sen. Ron Latz and Rep. Steve Simon
• —Community Room (22 11th Avenue N., Hopkins)

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 13

• Sen. Ron Latz, Rep. Steve Simon and Rep. Ryan Winkler
• —Council Chambers (5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park)

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 26

• Sen. Ron Latz & Rep. Ryan Winkler
• –Community Room (830 Winnetka Avenue N., Golden Valley)