Dear Neighbors,
On Monday, the House of Representatives approved a bonding bill. This bill borrows more than 1.5 billion dollars to pay for a variety of projects, some worthy, others not as much. The bill was an easy “NO” vote for me as it will force Minnesota taxpayers to pay hundreds of millions in interest payments at a time when we have cash to spend on these projects.
Additionally, until Democrats honor their election year promises to fully exempt social security benefits from state income tax, there was no reason to even think about passing the largest bonding bill in our state's history.
A better approach would have been to pass a slimmed-down bill that included cash only and that funded public infrastructure projects like water treatment facilities. In fact, this type of bill was also approved on Monday. While this bill used cash instead of borrowing money, it included dozens of projects that I could not support and once again I voted “NO”.
For example, $75 million was sent solely to Minneapolis and St. Paul non-profits for projects. I don't think that taxpayers in Crow Wing County should have to pay for that.
I spoke on the House Floor during the debate on the bonding bill. You can watch my comments here: https://bit.ly/3mGhDsw
Second Amendment Under Attack
I continue to monitor several gun control bills that are making their way through the legislative process in St. Paul. Again, I am a strong “NO” on any bill that infringes on the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
A huge thank you to Crow Wing County Sherriff, Eric Klang, and the County Board for standing strong and publicly stating their support for the 2nd Amendment. Your actions are appreciated!
The proposed bills include universal background checks which would establish a gun registry, red-flag laws that would make a mockery of due process, a storage requirement bill that would limit your right to possess firearms in your home for self-defense, and legislation that would criminalize the victim of a crime for failing to report that crime – something we do not do with any other victim of any other crime.
You can count on me to stand strong in support of your 2nd Amendment rights.
Staying in Touch
Please be sure to reach out to me to share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4333 or via email at rep.josh.heintzeman@house.mn.gov.
God bless,
Josh