Dear Neighbors, On Friday, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the House Republican attempted power grab of the last two weeks violated our state constitution. Every GOP action, including the election of a fake Speaker and appointment of fake committees, was unlawful and illegitimate. In November, voters elected an equal number of Democrats and Republicans to represent them in the House. Now, it’s time for the GOP to start working together with Democrats to develop a fair power sharing agreement so we can return to the Capitol to govern as Minnesotans intended. In addition to honoring the will of the voters across the state, Republicans also must respect the results of the election in Shakopee where voters elected DFLer Brad Tabke to represent them. Instead, Republicans are refusing to seat him, which would disenfranchise 22,000 voters. The reason they want to do this is simple: to empower them to advance their extreme agenda, including taking away reproductive freedoms, eliminating paid family leave, rolling back progress to address climate change, and ending free school meals for kids. House DFLers will not allow Republicans to overturn an election simply because they can. Never before has a legislator been kicked out when they have done nothing wrong, and to do so would gravely subvert the free and fair elections Minnesotans expect. Rep. Tabke won on election night, won in a recount, and won in court. DFLers look forward to returning to the Capitol once we have an agreement with Republicans that respects the will of the voters. Meanwhile, House Democrats continue to work directly with our constituents and in our communities. Over the last week, I’ve interviewed with local and national outlets to talk about the public terrorism the Trump Administration is causing, attended a powerful ceremony this honoring the victims of partner homicide, and toured the Film North building in our district. Currently, Republicans have a temporary one-seat advantage – kind of like a power play in hockey. But they want to change the rules in the middle of the game to give them a permanent two-year advantage, even when we’re once again in a tie. Our proposal is simple: Republicans can run the House while they have an advantage, but when the House returns to a 67-67 tie, we must return to a fair, co-governing model. Minnesota voters sent a clear message on Election Night – they expect us to govern together. It’s time for Republicans to return to the negotiating table so we can move forward. To state the obvious, this is a unique and unprecedented situation. Please reach out to me with any questions you have – I would be happy to connect about this or anything else that is important to you. It is an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House and I am deeply grateful and committed to be doing this work with you to build a future together where all Minnesotans can thrive. While House Republicans held sham committee hearings and unconstitutional Floor sessions, silencing thousands of Minnesotans, my DFL colleagues are out in communities across the state; amplifying the valuable voices of our districts, listening to how we can support local leaders/advocates at the state level, and reassuring our residents know we are front and center ready to work for them. Here are a few community events that I’ve attended in the past week: Planned Parenthood tour: I had a great time touring the St. Paul Planned Parenthood Health Center with my DFL colleges. Planned Parenthood health centers play a crucial role within our public health system and provide critical services to the residents of St. Paul. As we navigate the complexities of the incoming Trump Administration and the potential challenges that lie ahead, as the House Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, I am committed to safeguarding the laws that ensure Minnesota remains a welcoming and supportive environment for all individuals.  Equal Rights Amendment Coalition Meeting: I am honored to be the lead House author for the ERA this session and was excited to meet with a broad collection of leaders working to ensure the passage of an inclusive ERA in Minnesota. This has been a hard-fought effort, but I am committed to ensuring this important constitutional amendment is victorious. Thank you to Gender Justice for hosting the community meeting.  Intimate Partner Homicide Memorial: I join the effort of Violence Free Minnesota to ensure that all of our neighbors are able to live free of violence. Thank you for the beautiful remembrance service.  St. Paul Delegation Meeting with Mayor Carter: It was an honor for our St. Paul Delegation to meet with Mayor Melvin Carter and his team for a briefing of city priorities. We discussed public safety, bonding, housing, and downtown revitalization. A strong state requires a strong Capital city. We look forward to continued dialogue and partnership to move priorities forward.  Now is the time for Republicans to honor the will of the voters and the rule of law. We are calling on Republicans to return to the negotiating table so that we can govern together as Minnesota voters delivered on Election Night. Democrats are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to the negotiating table immediately. Until then, I'll be sharing daily updates on my work for our district and across the state on my official Facebook page. From the big wins to the daily challenges, I'm excited to keep you in the loop. Like and follow along for the journey! |