Neighbors, Things have evolved in the Minnesota House since my last update. Last Tuesday, after weeks of work to find an agreement, I joined my DFL colleagues in using the tactic of denying quorum due to Republicans’ refusal to work together on a power-sharing agreement, their intent to unseat a duly elected member of the House, and now, their illegal legislative coup. I don’t use the word “coup” lightly, but what the GOP has engaged in is unconstitutional, illegal, and dismissive of Minnesotans. Last Tuesday, after Secretary of State Steve Simon declared no quorum was present and adjourned the House, Republicans illegally seized control and “appointed” themselves to the Speakership, to Chair positions of all committees (leaving all DFL members off of committees entirely), and began pretending to conduct proceedings. Minnesota state law and our Constitution are clear that this was not legitimate House business, and the DFL has since filed lawsuits against the GOP, asking the Supreme Court to confirm that all of their actions are null and void. The Court will hear arguments on Thursday. I took an oath to uphold our Minnesota Constitution, and I refuse to participate in sham proceedings that violate it. I also refuse to allow House Republicans to overturn a free election that Rep. Brad Tabke won. Doing so would nullify the votes of 22,000 Minnesotans and would be a slap in the face to democracy. As your state representative, one of my duties to you is to defend Democracy. None of us thought we would have to stand up to such an imminent threat right here in Minnesota, but House DFLers are being called on to stand up and fight. I want nothing more than for things here at the Capitol to return to business as usual. I want to start committee work and Floor Sessions. I want to work with my Republican colleagues on moving Minnesota forward, which is what Minnesotans expect from us. It’s time to work together, but to do that, Republicans need to return to the negotiating table. DFL Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman submitted a generous power-sharing offer to GOP Rep. Demuth last Monday, and Republicans have not returned to the table to so much as submit a counter. Working for BloomingtonTo be clear, despite Republican’s efforts to stall legitimate House business, I am continuing to work hard for Bloomington. While we wait for the Republicans to come back to the table, I’m working here in our district and around the metro, taking meetings with our legislative partners, local leaders, and of course, constituents. Just this week, I was able to meet with Bloomington School Board Chair Matt Dymoke to talk about addressing the special education and English language cross-subsidies, join some colleagues to discuss hunger and food insecurity issues and tour VEAP, visit the Richfield Planned Parenthood, and chat with Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel to talk about child care licensing, disability services funding, libraries, tax increment financing, and how we make the partnership between our state and our county stronger.  I’m also working with colleagues to prepare legislation for the biennium to ensure we can hit the ground running once a power-sharing agreement is worked out – topics cover housing and redevelopment reform, affordable higher education for veterans and their families, supporting child care providers, and funding critical infrastructure projects here in Bloomington. I know these are unusual times, and I don’t blame people for being frustrated. My main priority is, and always will be, serving my community. Please reach out if you have any questions or if I can be of service. |