Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Wednesday and Thursday, Democrats in the Public Safety committee voted to pass two gun control bills – one to create new restrictions and requirements on selling or transferring guns, and one to allow anyone to file a court order to remove a person’s guns without due process for the person accused. Under the “universal background check” bill, even just borrowing a gun from a friend or family member would be a crime if you misplace the paperwork or don't meet some of the few exceptions in the bill. Under the “red flag law”, anyone would be able to report that a person is a danger to themselves or others, and that person’s guns could be taken away before they’re allowed to schedule a hearing or face their accuser. This is a major violation of your Fifth Amendment due process rights under the Constitution, as well as your Second Amendment rights. I oppose both of these bills and will continue to fight for our Second Amendment rights!
Also this week, Minnesota Management and Budget released their February budget forecast. Because of lower income tax revenues, the state’s overall revenue projections were down by almost half a billion dollars since November. Even though our economy is growing and unemployment is low, the lower budget forecast shows that Minnesota’s high tax rates are hurting Minnesotans and causing people to leave the state. Even with our already high tax rates and a surplus, Democrats still want to raise our taxes on gas, doctor visits, and much more.
Democrats this week voted for a bill that would void hundreds of thousands of Minnesota boat insurance policies. The bill that passed was meant to eliminate family exclusions in boat insurance policies, but as written it would void any current boat insurance policies with family exclusions as soon as the bill is signed. It would also lead to increased boat insurance rates going forward. There were several amendments aimed at fixing this bad bill, but the Democrats voted them down. Thank you to all of you who have contacted me saying to vote no on this bill – your voice matters!
Last night, the Transportation Finance and Policy Division heard a bill to allow illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses or identification cards. In addition to normalizing breaking the law by being here illegally, this bill would put even more of a burden on the Department of Public Safety when they are already short staffed and underfunded, due to the failing MNLARS system. It already takes much longer than it should to process driver’s licenses and adding even more work for the existing staff and creating a whole new type of license.
It’s my birthday today, and I can honestly say that one of the greatest gifts is the opportunity to represent the best district in the state for another year.
Please Contact Me
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached via phone at 651-296-3201 or by email at rep.mary.franson@house.mn.
It’s an honor to represent the best!
