Dear Friends,
The new legislative session started this week. It was good being back in St. Paul, seeing my colleagues in-person, and representing the best once again!
The issues dominating this session will be the economy and public safety. The Biden-Walz economy continues to increase inflation and make Minnesotans pay higher prices at the grocery store and gas station. Minnesota has a $7.7 billion surplus. We need to pass meaningful and permanent tax relief so people have more money in their pockets. Crimes is on the rise across our state. The suburbs and Greater Minnesota are no longer immune to the rise in car jackings, homicides, and other violent crimes in the Twin Cities. Law enforcement must have the resources necessary to keep their communities safe and we need to ensure judges and prosecutors are enforcing our laws.
Standing Up for Minnesotans Rights
The highlight of the week was speaking at the Minnesotans for Health and Parental Rights rally in the Capitol rotunda. I will always stand up to defend your individual rights. That’s why I introduced HF 2901 to hold employers liable if they mandate a vaccine and an employee experiences severe illness or injury as a result of taking that vaccine. You can learn more about my bill here and watch my full remarks at the rally here.
It was good seeing so many Minnesotans gathered to support vaccine choice and parents’ rights. I was incredibly disheartened, however, later during floor session to learn that the DFL spontaneously decided to close the gallery to the public while their legislators worked. The DFL Majority Leader admitted that the reason why his party chose to close the gallery was because there was a gathering of unmasked Minnesotans happening right outside the chamber. Our government does not work like this. Masked or unmasked, vaccinated or unvaccinated, everyone has the right to observe their legislature in action.
The House DFL is preventing Minnesotans from engaging with their legislators this session. The State Office Building is closed to the public. The Speaker is even limiting the press’s access to the House floor. This is bad for our democratic institution. We need to have an open and transparent government. I am always happy to meet with you, whether in St. Paul or at home in our community. Please never hesitate to let me know what issues concern you or how I may be of assistance.
Johns Hopkins Study Finds Lockdowns Had Limited Impact on COVID Deaths
If you only listened to the mainstream media this week, you probably didn’t hear about the new study released by Johns Hopkins. Researchers found that lockdowns reduced COVID deaths by only 0.2%! The study stated that pandemic lockdowns were “not an effective way of reducing mortality rates during a pandemic.” Furthermore, they found “no evidence that lockdowns, school closures, border closures, and limiting gatherings have had a noticeable effect on COVID-19 mortality.”
Families and businesses will be dealing with the effects of lockdowns and mandates for years to come. We must recognize the impact these actions had on all Minnesotans and finally return to normal.