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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Will Minnesota Restore the Vote for Felons on Probation?

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Thursday, April 23, 2015   

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Debate is expected today in the Minnesota Senate on a bill that includes a proposal to allow people convicted of felonies to vote immediately upon their release from jail or prison.

Currently, those convicted of a felony are unable to vote until they're no longer on parole, probation or under supervision.

But Mark Haase, coordinator of the Restore the Vote Minnesota coalition, says these people, currently numbering around 50,000, have served their time and are living and working in communities across the state and should be able to cast a ballot. Among the reasons he gives is public safety.

"Research shows that people are less likely to re-offend if they're more engaged in their community,” he explains. “And this is a way to allow them to have a positive part in their community and let them know that they have, you know, rights and responsibilities when they're living amongst us."

Haase notes that the proposal to restore voting rights to felons has the support of more than a half-dozen public safety groups, including the Minnesota Corrections Association and the Minnesota County Attorneys Association.

Those opposed say people who commit serious crimes should not have a voice in influencing elections and thus policy until they they're no longer under the auspices of the criminal justice system.

There is support statewide within the faith community, including the Minnesota Council of Churches, Jewish Community Action and the Minnesota Catholic Conference. The Joint Religious Legislative Coalition is also pushing for approval.

"One of our concerns is that children who grow up not seeing their parents vote tend to not vote themselves,” says Brian Rusche, the coalition’s executive director. “So there's a multi-generational effect here and we want people to participate in our democracy and take on that civic duty."

Rusche points out by moving to this model, Minnesota would join more than a dozen other states that already do allow released felons to vote, including North Dakota.



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