Dear Neighbor,
Here’s wishing you and your family a blessed Easter. Let this holiday be a joyous one as we celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice, His resurrection and offer thanks for our bountiful gifts.
Just want to pass along a couple of notes before we head into the holiday weekend:
Religious freedom
The subject of religious freedom continued to be a hot talker at the Capitol this week, as Republicans intensified efforts to take action on this issue. Democrats then put that project on indefinite hold.
It started with a press conference on Monday, where dozens of religious leaders from around the state joined Republicans in calling for religious freedom to be restored in the Minnesota Human Rights Act, protecting religious organizations and faith-based schools against claims of gender identity discrimination.
Shortly thereafter, Democrats in the majority tabled a House Republican motion to bring forward legislation to make that happen. It was the third time this session Democrats had at least temporarily blocked a Republican attempt at restoring religious freedom language to the HRA, following committee votes in both the House and the Senate.
As I have said, religion is something local residents and people throughout Minnesota hold near and dear. They do not appreciate legislators taking the position that government’s views trump our religious freedoms in this state.
By offering to take urgent action on legislation to resolve this issue on Monday, we provided a chance for the party in full control of St. Paul to redeem themselves and make good with Minnesotans. It is disappointing they decided to instead punt the ball and create further uncertainty among Minnesotans regarding the fate of our religious freedoms.
Before last year, when gender identity was included (or subsumed) 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. This issue caused alarm among Minnesota’s faith community and House Republicans worked with religious leaders to craft H.F. 3926, which ensures religious organizations and faith-based schools can, among other things, hire teachers and ministers consistent with their mission and values.
It remains unclear when – or if – the Democrat-controlled House will revisit that bill. At least one faith-based school already is facing an employment complaint at the department of human rights because of the removal of the exemption.
Thanks to all the people of faith and faith leaders (above and below) who showed up in St. Paul this week to stand up for our religious freedoms!
Great to have Vicki Hagberg, Regional Director of Northland Small Business Development Center down at the Capitol (below).
Bill to study Gen. Andrews nursery reopening
Legislation I authored to study the reopening of the General C.C. Andrews Tree Nursery near Willow River recently received a House hearing and remains viable for passage this session.
The nursery was a self-supporting, state-owned nursery which used seeds collected around Minnesota to sustain native growth. It was phased out around a decade ago and the time is right to revisit the facility and determine whether it is feasible to reopen.
A lot of things can change in a decade so let’s give this another look. If it makes sense to reopen, it will bring back good, local jobs, help meet demand for tree stock in Minnesota, and provide an added layer of security if there happens to be a mishap at the state’s existing Badoura nursery.
Back when this nursery was phased out, it was said this would provide an opportunity for private industry in our state to grow. In reality, the closure of the Andrews nursery has had the unintended consequence of Minnesota acquiring seedlings from a Canadian company which is growing trees in Michigan. On top of that, supply is not keeping up with demand. So why not bring it home if reopening our local nursery is viable? That’s what we need to find out and why we are exploring this option.
My bill (H.F. 5084) stipulates the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources must submit a report on feasibility by Jan. 15.If it turns out this is a good idea, it would be an anchor for a community in the heart of our area, aiding reforestation efforts locally, in Greater Minnesota and throughout our state.
I’m pleased to be authoring this bill as we give this nursery another look to see if it could help continue its legacy in our state. This in no way is intended to take away from private industry in our area and I hope we get this bill to the finish line so we can learn more about this subject from the study it provides.”
Sen. Jason Rarick is carrying the companion bill and I hope the language is included in an omnibus package later this session.
I will keep you posted on developments regarding these issues and others after we return to work from observing Easter. For now, I hope you are able to spend extra time in the company of friends and loved ones as we spread the joy and happiness that Christ has brought into our lives.
Sincerely,
Jeff