February is off to a cold start both outside and in the House chambers this week. Monday, I presented Articles of Impeachment against Governor Walz for his Unconstitutional usurpation of power from the legislature to lock us in our homes and forcing businesses to shut down. We also heard HF604 - requiring masks by law - in committee. Today Governor Walz held a press conference where he announced he would be dialing back some of his restrictions but he refused to give us any idea how long he intends to hold onto his emergency powers.

Executive Order 21-07, effective Saturday, February 13 at noon, takes steps to further reopen Minnesota’s economy safely, including:

•       Increasing the “not to exceed” capacity in restaurants to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 50 percent
•       Increasing indoor entertainment “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent
•       Increasing private events and celebrations “not to exceed” capacity to 50, while leaving the maximum capacity at 25 percent
•       Increasing gym and pool “not to exceed” capacity to 250, while leaving maximum capacity at 25 percent, and reducing distancing requirement to 6 feet.
•       Allowing restaurants to stay open until 11 p.m.

While I am sure business owners appreciate these loosened restrictions, I am certain they would appreciate having complete control over their own businesses again. These are merely crumbs being offered to business owners that have been decimated for nearly a year now. Walz is lifting restrictions hoping to appease enough business owners that they leave him alone.  These changes clearly aren't guided by science. How can he justify 250 people at a concert but still only 25 at a funeral while 7,000 people are still allowed inside your local Menards?  This clearly shows these restrictions are no longer about slowing the spread of COVID, they are politically calculated decisions attempting to ease the tension between him and the public.  

Watch my video update below

Reaching Across the Aisle to Reduce the Size of Government

Six weeks into my first legislative session as the Representative for district 55A and I already have 3 bills that are on track to become law despite being in the Minority. When I was elected, I promised that I would support any legislation, regardless of the party that sponsors it, if it reduces Government from our personal lives. Those bills are HF0474, HF0017, and HF0075.

HF0474 is a common-sense piece of legislation that exempts school fundraisers from having to pay sales tax. This will return $1.4 million dollars back into the pockets of hardworking parents.

HF0017 is a bill extending the online program for Marriage license applications. I have spoken to you about this bill before, and it has now officially become law.

HF0075 is a bill that would roll back the state's ability to seize property in civil cases. This process is otherwise known as civil asset forfeiture. Estimates expect this would reduce the amount of vehicles seized by the state by nearly 50%.

Requiring Masks by law; a “New Normal”?

House Democrats have authored a bill (HF 604) requiring that facemasks be worn in numerous public settings and I hope they were wearing masks when the news of this bill became public because this bill BLEW UP IN THEIR FACES. Every legislator in St. Paul was inundated with emails and phone calls against this bill.  I did not receive one single message from somebody asking me to support it – but I received hundreds of messages against it. 

I obviously oppose this bill, and support people’s individual rights and their ability to take whatever steps they feel are necessary to stay healthy. These lockdowns have been going on for 1 year. We need to ReOpen Minnesota today. I trust that business owners, and people alike will make the decisions that are best for them.

This week the committee on Health Finance heard the bill. For nearly 3 hours the committee heard arguments on the issue of whether or not to make this a law. This bill attempts to codify Walz illegal and unconstitutional mandates into law. After the chaotic display in committee, I think the DFL has finally realized how foolish this idea was. The idea of forcing facemasks to be worn across the state is such an out of touch idea and there’s no doubt the DFL heard that message loud and clear.  But make no mistake, the DFL doesn’t care!  They will continue to push this bill anyway.   

Regardless I will continue to fight against this and I will continue to fight for all Minnesotans to have the right to make these decisions for themselves.

Shared Parent; Just Common Sense

The most difficult part is any marriage is the realization that it is not going to work. For nearly 50% of marriages today that is the reality. Often, we don’t consider the repercussions of what comes after that decision is made. Most of all we may not even consider the damage it does to our own children. In Minnesota, our state law fosters ugly and often unnecessary custody battles between parents.  This is due to the outdated presumption of parenting time statutes on the books in St. Paul. This is why I have both authored a Equal Shared Parenting bill of my own, HF963, and why I’ve co-sponsored another bill geared towards the same goal.

Its time Minnesota courts started valuing both parents equally because we know children value their parents equally. I have requested a hearing on HF963 with the Chair of the Judiciary committee; Rep Becker-Finn (DFL-42B). Several people have told me she does not support Equal Shared Parenting so I hope she proves them wrong and permits a hearing on this overdue and non-partisan legislation.

Impeachment - Our last Resort

This past Monday I presented Articles of Impeachment against Governor Walz for his illegal and unconstitutional lockdowns. I do not take this lightly.  Impeaching a Governor has only been done 8 times in the history of our nation.  But we have collectively attempted 3 recall efforts – all of which the courts denied, we’ve voted 13 times to end the peacetime emergency and Governor Walz has extended his emergency powers 10 times!

In 35 days, we will have been under Governor Walz’ unilateral control of Minnesota for 1 full year.  The last arrow in our quiver is Impeachment.  And I for one recognize that I cannot, with a straight face, tell supporters that we did EVERYTHING WE COULD to end the dictatorial powers of Governor Walz unless we use our impeachment power.

The Minnesota constitution, which Governor Walz has repeatedly violated, grants the power of Impeachment to the Minnesota House.  Right now, we need another 12 co-signers on my Impeachment Resolution (HR2) to make sure that we can force a roll call vote. 

If you want to be sure we have exhausted all options to get back to normal and put the power back in the hands of the people of Minnesota please be sure to contact your representative and tell them to co-sign onto Impeachment. 

Lastly, I’m aware of an entire list of talking points that the entrenched House Republicans are using to hide behind.  If you’ve received their list of excuses please simply ask them, “If we cannot count on you to hold a DFL Governor accountable for his obvious constitutional violations, then HOW can we count on you at all?”

Click HERE to find your Representative

Heating assistance

There is still assistance available to income-eligible households (both owners and renters) for home heating bills and furnace repairs. The State's Energy Assistance Program can help by providing financial assistance, such as:

•       Pay past due energy bills to avoid disconnection
•       Purchase fuel for delivery in emergencies
•       Repair or replace homeowners' malfunctioning furnaces.

The application period is open until May 31 this year, and you can find more information and links to apply at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. 

Contact

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my office. We are still attempting to provide regular contact remotely so if you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Grayson, at Grayson.mcnew@house.mn.

Watch the Minnesota House on Public TV

Video: Streaming Website. Also you can watch committees and Floor Sessions on YouTube.