Legislative UpdateHello Friends and Neighbors, The beginning of this session has been interesting. We’ve seen lost ballots, two Supreme Court rulings, candidates who fail to meet basic residency requirements, and the democrat legislators refusing to show up. I think we can all agree, this is not what we want from our state government. There is an expectation that elected officials will show up, represent their constituents, and work to find reasonable and effective solutions for our communities. The situation we find ourselves in is unacceptable and makes it difficult to remain focused on what matters. Supreme Court Ruling Late last Friday afternoon, it was announced the Minesota Supreme Court ruled a quorum in the Minnesota House requires 68 members. There are only 67 Republican members at the Capitol which means we're now blocked from carrying out the important work we’ve been doing for the past three weeks, including floor sessions, committee meetings, and other essential business. While I am deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court ruling, I can assure you that Republicans will continue to show up to work while exploring all the options at our disposal. Democrat Shutdown In case you are unaware, all 66 Democrats in the Minnesota House are refusing to come to St. Paul in an effort to deny a quorum. House Democrats are disrespecting not just their own constituents, but the entire state of Minnesota by refusing to do their jobs and shutting down the legislature. It would only take one Democrat member to join us and provide a quorum so that the business Minnesotans sent us here to do can continue. There's a lot of work to do this year beyond just approving a two-year state budget, including stopping fraud, making life more affordable for families, supporting our schools and communities, and building for the future by making Minnesota a better place to invest and create jobs. The clock is ticking, and we are calling on our Democrat colleagues to end this shutdown and show up to work so we can get on with our business. Education Innovation and Local Control Last week I had the opportunity to share the local control and innovation portion of the House Republican education priority bill. This bill would allow districts the freedom to make decisions and innovate at the local level, strengthen students’ ability to read, and direct the Department of Education to focus on student achievement. Watch my testimony here: Testimony video March for Life  This past Wednesday I joined my fellow legislators and advocates at the Capitol in a demonstration of support for the lives of the unborn. I will always stand up for what I feel is right and I will continue to promote a Pro-Family culture. I’m honored that so many turned up in support. Working TogetherI am always grateful for the opportunity to meet with my constituents to get their input, discuss their ideas, and listen to their concerns. We had some great conversations this past week, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all. |