Banned bills? Democrats stage mock hearing to push their proposals

ST. PAUL — What's a state lawmaker to do when he or she can't get a hearing at the Capitol? Well, one path is to invent a committee willing to hear it.

Minnesota Senate Democrats frustrated that their proposals couldn't get a hearing in the Republican-led Senate on Monday, April 1, did just that. And no, it wasn't an April Fools' joke.

About a baker's dozen DFL senators convened the fictitious Senate Committee on Banned Bills. And one by one, they rolled out their wishlist of bills that have had support in the Democrat-led House of Representatives but haven't had a hearing yet in the Senate.

They pitched DFL priority bills that would set up a statewide paid family leave program, restore voting rights to felons after they get out of prison and retain a 2 percent tax on medical providers to fund care for low-income people and the working poor.

Read more: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/government-and-politics/4593242-banned-bills-democrats-stage-mock-hearing-push-their-proposals