Hello from the State Capitol,
Common-sense legislation to increase cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has failed to advance in the Minnesota House.
The proposal would have required authorities to notify ICE when illegal immigrants are arrested for violent crimes. These would include offenses like murder, assault, carjacking, and kidnapping.
All House Republicans unanimously supported the measure. Every Democrat voted against it. Not one broke ranks to prioritize public safety over politics.
The bill was modeled after the federal Laken Riley Act, which is named after a young Georgia woman who was murdered by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record in the United States. The legislation also sought to eliminate sanctuary policies that prevent local jurisdictions from working with federal immigration officials.
The proposal was about protecting Minnesotans first. Turning a blind eye to violent criminals who are in this country illegally is not compassion - it’s recklessness. One preventable tragedy is too many. Letting federal officials know that a violent illegal immigrant walks among us should not be a controversial topic much less a partisan one.
BUDGET BILLS BEING APPROVED ON HOUSE FLOOR
The Minnesota House spent the week passing numerous finance bills that fund agencies within state government. Our housing finance bill takes needed steps towards fixing our state’s housing crisis, such as assisting our first time homebuyers and removing construction barriers across our state which should help us build more homes.
We’ve also begun to cut unnecessary spending, which is one of the issues I campaigned on. For example, the recently approved commerce finance bill will see a $10 million reduction, in large part by altering a program that allocates grants to Minnesota's non-profit organizations. With a $6 billion budget deficit looming, we must start planning and every little bit we can save now will help us in the future.
I was also pleased to support the veterans and military affairs finance bill, which prioritizes veteran suicide prevention and mental health support and funding to better staff our veterans’ homes.
DRUG OVERDOSE EDUCATION REQUIRED
This week, the Minnesota House approved a bill that requires educational health standards to include drug overdose recognition, prevention, and response education.
Each year hundreds of Minnesotans die due to drug overdoses, and thousands more have serious complications from non-fatal overdoses.
We have numerous organizations and advocates in Hastings and Cottage Grove who have led the charge in spreading awareness regarding overdose and fentanyl poisoning. They are a big reason why this legislation came forward, and I thank them for their tireless efforts.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON ON THE HOT SEAT
Minnesota’s newly formed House Fraud Committee is finally pulling back the curtain on the financial mismanagement that has been festering in state government for years.
This week, Attorney General Keith Ellison appeared before the committee to talk about his knowledge of the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scandal and his interactions with individuals who were later convicted of defrauding taxpayers.
Leaked audio recordings show Ellison expressing sympathy for certain East African businesses under investigation. Some of their associates were later indicted and convicted. Even more troubling, Ellison reportedly pledged to pressure state agencies on their behalf - despite his responsibility to represent those very agencies as Minnesota’s chief legal officer. His past claims of early involvement in the investigation now conflict with statements denying prior knowledge.
Ellison’s testimony did little to clear things up. Minnesotans deserve straight answers and real accountability, and that won’t happen without continued investigation and oversight.
LOCAL VISITORS
This week I talked to a local pharmacist to discuss increasing drug prices and decreased patient access to certain medications.
I was also able to visit with Hastings High School student Katherine Vieth, who was taking part in the Minnesota House High School Page Program.
Students from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Hastings also visited the Capitol.
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a good weekend,
Tom