Dear neighbor,
If you notice an increase in your utility bills in the coming months, you can blame House Democrats! On Tuesday, the House passed a monstrosity of an omnibus energy bill that imposes a 40% renewable energy standard by 2030 for investor-owned utility companies (Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, Alliant) including a 4% solar mandate with a 10% solar mandate goal. The legislation actually gives a special exemption carve-out to the Iron Range so legislators from that area could support it. This bill makes Al Gore’s energy ideas look moderate in comparison! Setting these kinds of arbitrary renewable energy standards will make energy more costly and less reliable and ignores the inefficient and expensive nature of the energy sources being mandated. At the end of the day, you will be paying more for electricity. With this bill on top of higher income taxes and healthcare costs coming from Democrats in St. Paul, your wallet is going to be looking mighty thin after this legislative session!
One of the issues that I continue to be watching closely is the proposal to unionize childcare providers. Earlier this week, the Senate Finance Committee had a tie vote as to whether to move the bill on to the Senate floor with two DFL senators voting no. A tie vote means that the bill stalls. Unfortunately, a couple days later a DFL senator switched her vote and voted to move the bill “without recommendation” to the Senate floor. Now the House and Senate versions of this bill await a vote on the floor of each chamber. The Senate author of the bill actually said childcare unionization has had difficulty passing the legislature because it represents a major change in the idea of what a union is. I agree! That’s why this bill must be defeated!
Speaking of childcare, today is Childcare Appreciation Day! I appreciate my provider so much and she is such a blessing to me and my family. Remember your provider today and thank them.
As you likely know by now, the House debated changing the definition of marriage on Thursday. For several years, I have made no secret of my support for keeping marriage as the union between one man and one woman. I voted against redefining marriage. Unfortunately, the bill passed the House. The Senate is likely to take up the bill on Monday.
Thankfully, the House will not be in session tomorrow and I’ll be able to meet with constituents for coffee at the Alexandria Caribou at 10:30 in the morning.
Sunday is Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms! I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with kids.
I am always interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Mary.Franson@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-3201. You can also send mail to my office address: 211 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Mary