Highlights from the 2008 legislative session
Governor vetoes local government benefits bill
In the spring of 2008, Governor Pawlenty vetoed SF 960 – a common sense fair-minded bill – which would have allowed local governments to offer whatever health benefits they chose, including domestic partner benefits, to their employees. His veto message said: "The provisions in this bill would permit unlimited expansion of employment benefits to domestic partners and others by local units of government. I vetoed nearly identical language last year, and my position has not changed." (In 2007, his veto message said "I am opposed to any legislation concerning domestic partners benefits."
Looking ahead
The entire Minnesota House of Representatives is up for election in the fall of 2008. Volunteer to help register people to vote!
Contact the governor to express your disappointment and remind him he has GLBT constituents!
Governor Tim Pawlenty
Telephone: (651) 296-3391
Toll Free: (800) 657-3717
E-mail: tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
Remind the governor that health care is a major issue in our state and this bill would have helped shore up the disparity of health care coverage experienced by the GLBT community. A recent study by the Rainbow Health Initiative showed 22 percent of GLBT people in the state are without health care coverage.
Also tell the governor that he missed an opportunity to enact a common sense bill that not only addresses health care coverage for families but provides local control of local issues....and helps local governments catch up to the private sector. Hundreds of companies doing business in Minnesota already provide domestic partner benefits to their employees.
Communicate to the governor that his actions affect you, your family, and your community.
Contact your state lawmakers
Other Legislation
Comprehensive Sex Education (SF 3001/HF615)
The responsible sex education legislation did not succeed due to the threat of a gubernatorial veto. Members of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed (of which OutFront Minnesota is a member) were working around the clock to find ways to move the bill forward. However, the rush to finish the session along with the governor’s opposition, led to the bill not being successful this year.
This legislation would have enabled school students to receive comprehensive age-appropriate sexuality education. This is important to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth - as well as to all youth - to have the information necessary to make healthy decisions for themselves. This is the type of information not provided under an exclusive “abstinence-until-marriage” curriculum.”
OutFront Minnesota is proud to be part of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed which tirelessly advocated for this bill.
Media stories on comprehensive sex ed
Watch KARE 11 story on anti-gay rhetoric that arose on the House floor.
Read Worthington Daily Globe article on the sex ed bill
Read Nick Coleman's Star Tribune column on the importance of thorough sex ed
Read Star Tribune editorial calling for better sex education.
Read MPR story showing parental support for sex education.
See KARE 11 story on this subject.
Parent survey
Read results of survey which shows strong support among Minnesota parents for comp sex ed.
Employee Familiy Leave (SF 1128/HF 219 and 1812)
Provisions that would have included the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community in family leave legislation were removed. OutFront Minnesota appreciates the advocacy of lawmakers who tried to include our community in family leave bills.
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