Minnesota House passes DWI reform bill in response to Park Tavern tragedy
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[{'start': '0.009', 'end': '0.070', 'text': "Well, today the Minnesota House passed a bill to stiffen DWI laws in response to the deadly crash at Park Tavern in Saint Louis Park last September. Danny Spiak has more on where the proposal stands and why advocates are pushing so hard. This week marks 8 months since the crash on Park Tavern's patio that killed server Christina Folkertz and Methodist Hospital employee Gabe Harvey over Labor Day weekend. The driver. 56-year-old Stephen Bailey had five prior DWI convictions in Minnesota. Every time I think about that day, I am in mourning. -- On -- Thursday, St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Muhammed joined Methodist colleagues and other advocates in House chambers in support of a House bill to enhance the state's DWI laws. We're here so that this what happens in St. Louis Park never happens again in our state. -- The -- bill sponsored by DFL Representative Larry Kraft. Increases the length of time that repeat DWI offenders have to use ignition interlock devices to start their cars. The person that committed this horrific act had 5 prior DWI offenses, and so my question was why was he still driving. Kraft spoke in support of his bill on the House floor. This proposed legislation ramps the time repeat offenders are required to be on interlock much more aggressively. And increases the look back period from 10 to 20 years -- in certain situations with -- support from Republicans like Representative Jeff Witty, this bill prioritized the safety of Minnesotans by keeping repeat drunk drivers off the road. The bill passed nearly unanimously. To the delight of Methodist employees and Mayor Muhammed, it makes it harder for people who are drunk driving to be able to drive a vehicle. Now the bill must pass the Senate before the governor can sign it into law. Absolutely, absolutely, -- I'll be -- there. The Senate is expected to take up this bill next week, and it also has strong bipartisan support in that chamber. Meanwhile, the suspect in this case, Stephen Bailey, will go on trial starting May 12th at the state Capitol. I'm Danny Spiwa, Carols."}]