Dear Friends,
Once again, the House spent long days on the floor debating the various omnibus budget bills. For every $21 in spending House Democrats proposed in these bills, they only cut taxes by $1. The state has a surplus of over $7 billion – now is the time to be giving Minnesotans permanent, meaningful tax relief, not spending more.
I hope once these bills reach conference committee the Senate will strip these terrible spending proposals from the final versions. We must be focused on helping Minnesotans as inflation, supply chain issues, and workforce challenges contribute to an ever-increasing cost of living.
UI Tax Increase Averted
As I mentioned last week, the legislature finally passed a bill to stop a massive multiyear tax increase for Minnesota’s job providers by refunding and replenishing the unemployment insurance (UI) trust fund. I wanted to share with our employers this website created by DEED to answer any questions you might have related to this new law: https://mn.gov/uimn/employers/employer-account/news-updates/tax-changes-affect-you.jsp?fbclid=IwAR3vdONzKlt0mje-2wf85KFsmCuyaTFP3E1c8g08vYDUDcE0R4cUteX0nnk
The End of Roe?
Monday night the integrity and trust of the Supreme Court was undermined when a draft opinion was leaked to the press indicating that the Judges might overturn Roe v. Wade. It is deeply troubling that an individual would seek to undermine the work of our Supreme Court Justices. Activists have no role in their decision-making process. This leak shows no respect for our democratic institutions and processes.
The end of Roe v. Wade would have a monumental impact on our country. Abortion laws would be left to the individual states, as it should be. I will always stand up for the sanctity of life. This week, I have been thinking a lot about this verse from Psalm 139:13-14:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Let us pray for the unborn, our country, and the safety of our Supreme Court Justices.
Supporting Those with Vaccine Injuries
Vaccine injuries are real, and the victims need a place at the table. Their voices deserve to be heard. To the individuals who have suffered an adverse reaction: I see you and I believe you. This is why I offered an amendment to the Health and Human Services Omnibus bill this week - so we could start this discussion. You can watch me speak about the amendment here. This amendment would have:
- Required MDH to examine the impacts of adverse reactions to COVID vaccines
- Required MDH to monitor trends, health outcomes, and quality of life for patients who experience adverse reactions to COVID vaccines
- Created a $5 million fund to compensate patients who faced serious adverse reactions to COVID
Unfortunately, it was defeated BUT the conversation has started. Don’t give up hope.
And for those wishing to read the Pfizer documents that they wanted to keep hidden for 75 years, you can read them here.