What a privilege it was to hear civil rights leader Clarence Henderson speak in North Minneapolis last weekend. He had a motivating message about taking personal responsibility and not looking to government to solve all of our problems!
REPUBLICANS "MOBILIZE"
Just in the past week, we had two instances where Republicans can claim victory. The first is one I discussed earlier this session as it relates to the First Amendment. Religious liberties are not made to be messed with, and yet, Democrats attempted to put their partisan feelings ahead of our religious rights.
Here are a few examples from this year and last when we mobilize our base and break through the media to communicate.
RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION RESTORED
Republicans have taken a major step toward restoring a religious freedom which Minnesota Democrats stripped from faith-based organizations last year.
On May 7, the legislature approved legislation pertaining to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) to re-establish protections for religious entities against discrimination claims.
This move was necessary due to MHRA legislation that the majority party enacted in 2023, that stripped religious protections that had been in place since 1993. 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 approved legislation would return that exemption. The bill is now on Governor Walz’s desk for enactment and truly is there due to the Republican’s efforts in communicating to the public, breaking through the media-controlled narratives and reaching the faith communities. The pressure from the public is what the Democrat party dreads the most, and the public became engaged and let the majority party know loud-and-clear that religious freedoms are not a negotiable matter.
VETERAN HOMESTEAD EXCLUSION
Thanks to Republican pressure on the floor of the Minnesota House, legislation that increases the valuation amount that disabled veterans and surviving spouses can have excluded from their property taxes has moved forward. The valuation exclusions have remained the same since the program was implemented in 2008, and with the dramatic increase in the value of homes in recent years, Minnesota needs to help ensure veterans and their surviving spouses can remain in their homes.
Democrats wanted no part of this bill initially, and the chair of the taxes committee urged her side to vote no. But as Republicans made their case on the House floor, she eventually relented. In the end, it was approved unanimously. This night gave me a glimpse of how I believe most Minnesotans want us to be legislating, negotiating, debating, communicating and coming up with the best solution for “all.”
Under this proposal the property valuation for disabled veterans with a 100% disability increases from $300,000 to $400,000, and for disabled veterans with a 70% disability the property valuation increases from $150,000 to $200,000.
The provision still must survive a joint House/Senate conference committee debate before it can receive a final vote in the legislature and be sent to the governor for his signature.
INCREASED NURSING HOME FUNDING
For years, our nursing homes have been operating in crisis mode, and a response from state government was necessary. Despite a nearly $18 billion surplus, all that Governor Walz and House Democrats wanted to allocate to nursing homes last session was $3.9 million in new revenue.
Because Republicans stood up and fought for our nursing homes, by the end of session, a $300 million funding infusion took place. While this money did not solve all of their problems, it was welcomed by facilities that have struggled to survive.
SCHOOL RESOURCES OFFICERS
After Democrats passed an unclear and ill-thought-out law last year, which ultimately led to the removal of more than 40 School Resource Officers, Democrats were not able to fix the law on their own. Republicans led the charge to address the problem and get all of our SROs back to work, building relationships within their buildings and keeping students, teachers and other school staff safe.
When Democrats control all three branches of government, they are very clear about not wanting Republican assistance on legislation and have no desire to be bipartisan. But there are times when people rise up and get tired of the status quo and make their voices heard. In these instances, Republicans have fought hard for their priorities – and won.
We will celebrate these wins and work towards a future in which we bring Minnesota back to legislating the way it was intended versus the one-party mob rule that we have all been witnessing.
SEN. MITCHELL SAGA CONTINUES
Minnesota continues to make national headlines with a storyline that doesn’t seem like it could have been made up for a movie.
This week an ethics hearing was held in the Senate to discuss the Sen. Nicole Mitchell burglary charges. Several constituents made the journey to Saint Paul to watch it.
It was more of a kangaroo court spectacle. I would strongly encourage any Minnesotan to watch this, and I believe anyone without a political agenda, would agree that this is profoundly embarrassing for the State of Minnesota. Complete unprofessionalism from the majority party regarding how this is being handled and most certainly is putting into question the integrity of the institution. Click here and begin the video at the 1:54:38 mark. You will be amazed.