Friends, While I trust your families are well and settling into a fall routine, it’s been a very challenging summer and fall. Recent events and the shooting at Annunciation are evil acts that shook our community. Families are grieving, loved ones are left with unimaginable loss, and Minnesotans everywhere are asking what more can be done to keep people safe. On September 2nd, I joined neighbors and the Lakeville Faith Community at a prayer vigil. It was a moment of unity and a reminder that in times of sorrow, Minnesotans come together in faith and compassion. We can’t be intimidated or insulted for being believers or for praying. I was honored to be invited to share comments and offer my prayers.  Photo courtesy of All Saints Catholic Church at the Together in Faith prayer vigil for Annunciation I truly hate to say it, but while Minnesotans mourn, the Governor has chosen to politicize this tragedy by calling for a special session to push overtly political proposals that do not seem to have full support within his own party. These ideas divide communities and distract from what we should be doing: working together on solutions that can pass and make people safer. We must set aside partisan fights and deliver real, broadly supported reforms that help reduce violence in schools and across society. I support a multi-layered approach that tackles the root causes of mass shootings and political violence — untreated mental health, gaps in school security, and consequences for criminals.  That means policies that protect students, provide care, and punish criminals. Protect Students. Every student deserves to feel safe in school, whether they attend public or non-public schools. That is why we are proposing school security grants, ensuring resources to strengthen entryways and improve facilities to protect students. Schools should also have the flexibility to use existing funding streams for safety improvements. In addition, we must strengthen community relationships by providing school resource officers to every school. Provide Care. We need to increase funding for mental health treatment and beds, so people in crisis can access the help they need before tragedy strikes. Too many violent crimes stem from untreated mental health crises. We also believe in ensuring doctors and families can determine the best treatment without being forced into politically motivated mandates. We support repealing or amending the Democrats’ transvestite-affirmation law so physicians can act in their patients’ best interest. Punish Criminals. Beyond enforcing the laws we have, we need to crack down on repeat offenders who continue to put communities at risk, and enact mandatory minimum prison sentences for straw purchasers who enable violent crimes. The “catch-and-release” approach to crime must end. As we mourn with the Annunciation community, we must also focus on real data-backed solutions that make schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods safer. I am ready to work on policies that can pass with bipartisan support, address the root causes of violence, and deliver real protection for Minnesotans. Together in faith, we know that even in the face of tragedy—the sorrow of Annunciation, the political violence against the Hortmans, Hoffmans, and others, the attack on Charlie Kirk, and the recent rash of violence in our cities—our Lord has a plan, and with Him we have a future filled with hope. |