Friends and neighbors,
The Legislature is in highest gear right now with legislation in a very active mode, but I will touch on just two topics.
This week, the Senate passed significant jobs, labor, and energy legislation, and my bill to repeal Minnesota’s nuclear moratorium and “gag” statute that precluded agencies from even discussing nuclear energy as a part of the overall MN energy plan, is in the bill. My bill does not mandate building any new plants, but instead allows power companies and agencies to consider all available options.
The jobs, labor, and energy legislation also directs $150,000 to the Department of Commerce to conduct a study into the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of advanced nuclear reactors in Minnesota. There are tremendous advances in the technology of nuclear power and this study plus lifting the moratorium and “gag” statute will really provide a valuable component of Minnesotans base load energy needs.
Minnesota’s current two nuclear power plants, Prairie Island and Monticello, emit no greenhouse gases and safely fueled 26% of the state’s electricity net generation in 2020. And I strongly believe that as Minnesota looks to new sources of energy, we need low-carbon electricity that is not dependent on the weather or wind. And nuclear power plants provide just that.
Additionally, the sharp rise in violent crime in the Twin Cities and its suburbs is extremely alarming. To address this, the Senate recently passed a comprehensive public safety bill with strong bipartisan support to keep Minnesota’s communities safe.
This legislation focuses on providing support for law enforcement recruitment and retention; toughening penalties for criminal activity; and increasing transparency and accountability in judicial and prosecutorial actions.
In the bill are provisions to address the central issues currently facing Minnesota’s law enforcement officers: recruitment, retention, education and training, and equipment.
This bill also contains key “tough on crime” provisions that increase penalties for repeat offenders, carjackers, and violent criminals using firearms. Finally, to improve transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system and courts, this bill takes several steps to improve transparency for the decisions that lead to early releases and failures to charge to the fullest extent possible.
The comprehensive public safety bill also includes a bill I authored this session to increase funding for county attorney Trial Court training.
Since the early 1980’s, the Minnesota County Attorneys Association (MCAA) has received bi-annual legislative appropriations for prosecutor training. This funding has allowed MCAA to train thousands of prosecutors and provide more than 900 accredited classes.
Under my bill, a $100,000 grant will be appropriated in fiscal year 2023 for MCCA prosecutorial Trial Court and law enforcement training. This grant funds several annual seminars so new, young prosecutors can learn from experienced county attorneys. The base appropriation for this will then be $200,000 in each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and thereafter.
County Attorney Offices are currently experiencing a lack of experienced applicants due to the great increase in retirements. For this reason, additional funding is needed for New Attorney topics and to ensure additional training is available to meet case law updates and emerging issues. I believe it is far better to invest in local county prosecutorial training than shifting prosecutions to the Attorney General’s office.
Contact me
As always, if have questions or concerns on any legislative topic, feel free to contact me any time. You can call me at 651-296-5655 or send me an email at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn. It is a privilege to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
Mary