Dear Neighbor, We have tons of ground to cover after another incredibly busy week in the House, so let’s get right to it: Sanctuary state Many local residents continue reaching out to me urging my opposition to H.F. 3459, a bill to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. First off, I want to be clear that, yes, I strongly oppose this bill, which would ban local or state law enforcement from assisting federal agencies in immigration cases. Minnesota counties have passed resolutions urging the Legislature to not support the sanctuary bill. Among other things, they cited the negative impacts on budgeting taxpayer dollars and public resources. The timing of this legislation also is as bad as can be, effectively making Minnesota a haven for illegal immigrants at a time of crisis with our southern border hemorrhaging. We have seen the problems caused in other states when they are impacted by large numbers of immigrants. Furthermore, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, fentanyl is now involved in 92 percent of all opioid-involved deaths and 62 percent of overdose deaths in Minnesota. We need to work with federal authorities to stop the flow of drugs like fentanyl across our borders and making Minnesota a sanctuary state would undermine those efforts. We also need Congress to address the serious issues happening at our border. In the meantime, please know I am a “no” vote on this bill because we are both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. School safety The Minnesota House on Monday approved a bill to resolve an issue which caused school resource officers to be removed from schools throughout the state. The issue stems from an omnibus education bill (HF 2497) Democrats enacted into law in 2023, imposing 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 to fix the problem received overwhelming bipartisan support on a 124-8 vote. It 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. Students overwhelmingly say they want SROs in schools and parents want their children to enjoy a safe learning environment. I’m glad our colleagues across the aisle finally got with it and joined Republicans and our friends in law enforcement to get the job done. Our schools will be safer for us having passed this bill and that’s the least we can do for our children, teachers and staff. This also shows we can do good work when we put politics aside and do what’s right for the people of Minnesota. Local visitors I am beyond appreciative so many people from our district continue coming to the Capitol to meet with me and discuss whatever issues they have on their mind. Some recent groups include: American Federation is State, County and Municipal Employees  Arts Action Day  ABC Builders  Thanks to all for taking the time to visit me in St. Paul and share your thoughts on important issues. Religious freedom The House majority has made it crystal clear the state’s views trump your religious beliefs. They did so by voting down a House Republican amendment offered in a committee hearing to fix a problem caused in the Minnesota Human Rights Act last year. 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. The previously mentioned 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. Unfortunately, the majority refused to fix the problem it created and voted down the amendment. This is a red alert regarding the direction our state is heading under full control of one party. They have erased the separation of church and state after assuring us for years their anti-discrimination push would spare religious entities. Senate Democrats can right this wrong by accepting the amendment the House majority voted down. This amendment in question, when applicable, is very important for me to see added. It is unclear when the Senate will take up this issue since it canceled a hearing on the overriding bill that was scheduled for this week. On the radar I would like to mention I have authored a bill (H.F. 4566) allowing third-party programs and third-party testers authorized to conduct behind-the-wheel road tests for class D drivers' licenses. This would help ease a bottleneck at testing sites so more people can complete their testing in a reasonable timeline without having to travel many miles to do so, as too often has been the case. I am awaiting a committee hearing on this bill and remain cautiously optimistic the party in control will be receptive to such a common-sense proposal. I mean, why wouldn’t they? Important links Until next time, here are some links to help you follow developments in St. Paul this session: |