Latz Helps Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Bill Through Senate

The bill includes additional money for the Public Defense Board and Minnesota’s background check database system.

Latz Helps Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Bill Through Senate

The bill includes additional money for the Public Defense Board and Minnesota’s background check database system.

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 46) on Thursday presented a conference committee’s version of the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Bill on the Senate floor, according to a news release from Latz’s office. The bill, which received yes votes from all but one senator, is the first of many conference committee budget packages. “These are the core functions of government and we have made strategic investments within this area,” said Latz, whose district includes Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth and St. Louis Park. “We have funded the ongoing levels of their services so we will be safer and whenever we access the justice system, on the justice side or the criminal side, we should have an efficient system and one where we will all be treated …

• Videos (2)

MN Gay Marriage Raises Issue: When Is It OK to Call Someone a Bigot?

The new law's supporters and opponents traded claims and denials of bigotry.

When—if ever—is it fair to call another person a bigot? Leave your comment below. A flashpoint in the debate over Minnesota's new marriage-equality law was the use of the words "bigot," "bigoted," or "bigotry" in reference to opponents of making same-sex marriages legal. After the state Legislature approved the bill, the group Minnesota for Marriage said in a statement: Over one million Minnesotans will be forced to either affirm what they believe to be false or subject themselves to prosecution and insult as “bigots” ... under our law with the passage of this bill. 'You're a Bigot' On Monday at the state Senate, Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) took exception to accusations that opponents of the same-sex marriage bill are bigots. Sen. Dan…

•  94 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (2)

UPDATE: Minnesota Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Governor Will Sign

Legislation to allow gay marriage in the state cleared its final hurdle Monday, May 13. With Gov. Mark Dayton expected to sign the bill as soon as tomorrow, Minnesota will become the 12th state in the country to allow same-sex couples to marry.

The Minnesota Senate approved H.F. 1054 Monday, May 13, clearing the way for Minnesota same-sex couples to marry in the state. The 37 to 30 vote, which was seen as the last hurdle for the legislation, makes Minnesota the 12th in the United States to recognize same-sex marriages in state law. Gov. Mark Dayton's office announced a signing ceremony set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14.  Democrats, known locally as the DFL party, hold a 39-28 advantage in the Minnesota Senate.   Debate began shortly after noon Monday, with the Republican Party introducing a pair of amendments to the bill, both of which were voted down by state Democrats, who control the Senate. It quickly moved to speeches invoking personal feelings and relationships surrounding the…

•  545 Comments
• Photos (3)

Mike Hindin

9:37 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013

Try anything with John Wane in it. I don't care about Hollywood past or present.   more ›

Latz to Legislature: ‘Do Not Vote Out of Fear of Your Constituents’

The DFL legislator—whose district includes Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth and St. Louis Park—appealed to fellow lawmakers to vote their conscience.

Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 46) urged fellow legislators to listen to their own consciences, not their constituents, when deciding how to vote on the same-sex marriage proposal before the Legislature. Latz—whose district include Golden Valley, Hopkins, Plymouth and St. Louis Park—appealed to the inner voice his fellow legislators might be hearing as they wrestled with how to vote on the controversial bill: For those of you who are struggling with a conflict between your conscience and your politics, who know in your own mind and your own heart the right vote is to vote yes, but you’re concerned about offending a close family member or an extended family, let me submit that you’re not alone. But in the end, you will have to live with your …

•  1 Comment
• Videos (1)

Minnesota House Approves Bill Allowing Same-Sex Marriages

The bill now moves on to the state senate as Minnesota Democrats hope to make the state the 12th in the nation to legalize gay marriage. Gov. Mark Dayton has vocally supported the legislation.

UPDATE: Minnesota Representatives approved with a 75-59 vote Thursday a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in the state, putting it on the road to become the 12th state in the nation to do so. The vote came at about 3 p.m. Thursday, May 9, about three hours after the bill was introduced.  This is about honoring difference," bill sponsor Karen Clark said. "I respect the other point of view. But there is something about being able to marry the love of your life." Clark, a Democrat from Minneapolis, recognized her partner of 26 years in the assembly's audience.   The vote came nearly six months to the day after a 2012 vote on a Republican-sponsored amendment item defining marriage as a union between man and woman. That, of course, was …

•  432 Comments
• Photos (5)
• Videos (1)

Donald Lee

12:18 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

This thread reminds me of another angle of this issue I had no considered. With "marriage" redefined to be any couple of people, "sexual orientation" one of the protected classes, and advocates yelling EQUALITY NOW, we will soon have judges compelled to give adoptive and foster children to homosexual couples, regardless of the views the judge might have of the merits of the case and the welfare …   more ›

WATCH: Simon Fights Back Tears During Gay Marriage Debate

The Hopkins and St. Louis Park legislator offered an emotional speech on the House floor.

HOPKINS, MN -- Hopkins and St. Louis Park Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-District 46B) choked back tears as he told a parable during debate Thursday on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Simon described a rabbi asking his students what is the precise moment when night ends and a new day begins.  “The moment when night ends and a new day begins is the moment when you look into the face of a stranger and see the face of your brother,” Simon said in between long pauses. “Until that moment, no matter what time it is, it’s still night. But at that moment, that’s when the new day begins. I like the sound of that—a new day—and I hope we can all go there together.” In the often-emotional five-minute speech, Simon described how the gay rights movement …

•  56 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)