 Friends and Neighbors, A plan that would prevent boys in Minnesota from playing in girls’ sports received a full House floor debate this week, and I voted yes on the bill. Specifically, it states that only students of the female sex may participate in an elementary or secondary school athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls. If there is a dispute, a student must present a birth certificate or a signed physician’s statement indicating the student’s sex is based solely on the student’s internal and external anatomy, natural occurring level of testosterone, and an analysis of the student’s chromosomes. The whole point of this legislation is to keep girls safe. It does not prevent a child from playing in sports, but it does stop a child who was born as a boy from playing in girls’ sports. How sad that we actually need a law in the State of Minnesota that keeps biological boys from participating in girls sporting events. Even more sad is that not one Democrat in the Minnesota House supported this common sense legislation that maintains fairness and safety in girls’ athletics. DUTY TO RETREAT BILL DEBATED Legislation designed to allow Minnesotans to better defend themselves without fear of being criminally charged was debated on the House floor. The bill would eliminate Minnesota’s “duty to retreat” status, which basically means a person must try to flee from a dangerous situation before responding with force. Unfortunately, all Democrats voted against it, and it failed to pass by one vote. You should remember that anything that inhibits your 2nd Amendment rights, the Republican Party is going to fight it. Your right to keep and bear arms might be our most important right, and we will continue to make it a prominent issue going forward. SOLAR SETBACK NEEDED Discussion was held this week on my solar setback bill. Currently, there is nothing in state law that says how far a solar farm or garden can be located from the property line. My bill would enact a ¾ mile setback, which is important if they abut properties such as state parks, county parks, and other wildlife areas. RARE DISEASE COUNCIL Since my arrival at the Minnesota House, I have served as a voting member on the Rare Disease Council. It is unique in that it is an agency that actually has representation from elected officials. This is a good use of your tax dollars because we cannot only oversee, but assist the staff that works within the organization. In addition, the Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota also work closely with us. With over 7,000 rare diseases in Minnesota, and 1 in 10 people have some form or a rare disease, it’s important to keep this council going, and I have legislation moving forward that will do just that. |