Dear Neighbor,
There really is no sense in sugar coating it: House Democrats have now gone on record saying the state’s views trump your religious beliefs. They recently did so in their both their words and their votes and here’s how it happened:
Before last year, when gender identity was included within the MHRA definition of sexual orientation, the still-existing religious exemption for sexual orientation covered gender identity claims as well.
When a new, separate definition of gender identity was created last year, there was no corresponding religious exemption added. House Republicans offered an amendment in a committee hearing to resolve an issue in Minnesota Human Rights Act legislation Democrats enacted last year.
When faith groups first expressed concern over this issue, some assumed this was just an oversight, and the department and majority would support a fix to restore the status quo as it existed from 1993-2023. But that fix is missing from the department’s bill presented this year, which is why, at the request of Minnesota’s faith community, an amendment was crafted to rectify this situation.
The amendment simply restores the religious exemption in the MHRA protecting religious organizations and faith-based schools against claims of gender identity discrimination. The exemption ensures that religious organizations and faith-based schools can, among other things, hire teachers and ministers consistent with their mission and values. Already, at least one faith-based school is facing an employment complaint at the department of human rights because of the removal of the exemption.
Unfortunately, the Democrat majority refused to fix the problem it created and voted down the amendment during a committee meeting last week. This should put Minnesotans on high alert regarding the direction our state is heading under full control of Democrats. They have declared open season on our religious faith by erasing the separation of church and state.
The good thing is local folks and citizens throughout Minnesota see what is going on. They have expressed their disapproval and will not fall for the tricks Democrats are now trying to play by using gotcha tactics to get themselves off the hook for taking a truly bad vote.
As things stand now, Senate Democrats can right this wrong by accepting the amendment House Democrats voted down. It is unclear when that issue will be put to a vote since the Senate canceled a hearing on this bill scheduled for this week.
This week's visitors
As always, I enjoyed spending time meeting with people who came to the Capitol to discuss local issues this week. This includes:
St. Louis County Commissioners
West Lake Superior Sanitation District
Minnesota Forest Industry
Improving school safety
The House on Monday provided overwhelming 124-8 approval of a bill to fix a school safety problem that arose after the majority changed a law last year, resulting in the removal of school resource officers from schools throughout the state.
The omnibus education bill (HF 2497) Democrats enacted into law in 2023 imposed new prohibitions on the use of force in schools, banning certain physical holds by “an employee or agent of a district, including a school resource officer, security personnel, or police officer contracted with a district."
The bill we approved excludes SROs as employees or agents of a school district, excludes SROs from the prohibitions on prone restraints and physical holds, revises the “reasonable force standard,” mandates school districts and charter schools use only trained SROs, and establishes new training and model policy requirements for law enforcement.
House Republicans played a key role in teaming up with our friends in law enforcement to craft the bipartisan solution. While the finished product isn’t perfect, it shows the kind of good work we can do when we put partisanship aside and do what’s best for Minnesotans.
The bill now awaits action in the Senate.
Bill for public vote on flag
In hopes of unifying Minnesotans on a new state flag, House Republicans have authored legislation allowing Minnesotans to vote on the new flag design that has been approved by the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission. I am personally co-authoring this legislation.
House Republicans also are authoring a bill that would adjust the state seal, because the current version violates the provision in state law that notes "no one person or community may be represented." Other legislation would help local governments pay for the cost of implementing the new state flag and seal, and honor our retired state flag in an appropriate way.
Minnesotans not only have that right but want the right to vote on whether this new flag represents them. The new seal and flag are not official until May 11, so there is still time to address this issue.
That’s enough for now but I’m sure we’ll have lots more to say soon. Have a good weekend, please stay in touch and, as always, I appreciate the incredible support from local residents as I continue working to bring common sense to St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Jeff