Dear Neighbors,
We are entering the final weekend of the 2024 legislative session, and are expecting to be on the House Floor debating and voting on bills late into the night on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Remember, all bills must be voted on by 11:59 PM on Sunday if they are to become law.
As always, this time of year is extremely fluid and news and developments with legislation are rapidly evolving by the hour. That’s why I wanted to get this newsletter out as soon as possible.
Keep an eye out for additional communications from me once the dust settles next week.
Silencing the Minority
Last night, House Democrats cut off debate and forced a vote on a bill that will raise taxes on employees and job creators by $735 million more than anticipated to fund their one-size-fits-all paid leave mandate before the state even starts building the IT infrastructure to support it.
House Democrats have had two years to act on their so-called “priority bills”. Now they’re shutting down debate because they didn’t prioritize their time well enough. It is not the responsibility of the minority to pass the majority party’s bills. It is the responsibility of the minority to make sure the voices of our constituents are represented. Their silencing of minority voices is shameful and something I have not seen happen during my time in the legislature.
You can watch the chaos from last night here.
ERA Amendment
House Democrats are poised to approve legislation that could enshrine into Minnesota’s Constitution the most extreme abortion policy in the nation, strip away protections for religious institutions, and eliminate girls’ sports as we know it.
Specifically, the bill would ask voters at the 2026 general election if the state Constitution should be amended to codify several conditions, including everything from race, sex, and gender identity to abortion and infertility treatments.
A vague reference to "pregnancy" in the proposed ballot question is misleading and unclear and leaves voters uninformed about the true implications of the amendment. Further, this all comes in the context of Democrats last year enacting a state law that allows abortions up until the moment of birth for any reason.
Let’s be clear about what this is, this is Democrats hijacking a movement from the 1970s and using it as a vehicle to push their radical agenda. This is not a vote in support of equal rights. It is a vote to enshrine abortion up to the moment of birth in our state constitution and to strip 1st amendment protections for religious organizations and churches.
If the bill was really about affirming what we already know to be true, that all Minnesotans are entitled to equal rights under the law, the vote would have been 134-0. Do not fall for this underhanded marketing scheme by Democrats.
Peace Officer Memorial Day
Wednesday was Peace Officer Memorial Day, a time for all of us to hit pause and remember the brave men and women of law enforcement who have been killed in the line of duty.
Please be sure to keep them and their families in your prayers this week and offer a word of encouragement to your friends in law enforcement.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.—Matthew 5:9
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.
Have a good day,
Josh