Legislative Update
The 2024 Legislative Session has started this week and is already underway to bring solutions for Minnesotans. There are a number of fixes needed this legislative session to address errors from last year?s whirlwind of single-party control. These include addressing the statutory changes that have removed School Resource Officers from districts across the state, correcting errors in the tax omnibus bill, and looking ahead to the deficit the current state budget will create in 2025.
We hit the ground running on Monday with an urgency declared on the School Resource Officer fix in an attempt to bring it before the floor. This procedural motion would have allowed the House to take up this important legislation and accompanying amendment to get SROs back in schools across the state.
We heard from Representative Jeff Witte, a former resource officer, on the important role these men and women play in the development of young students and the safety of the learning environment. He shared how students looked to him to keep school safe and how those relationships helped to put some students on a better path to happy successful lives rather than repeating behaviors that would have been damaging to their futures. He is a great example of the important work these officers do every day and why we must get them back in schools as soon as possible.
Another issue that is crucial for the legislature to address early in the session is a correction to last year?s tax bill. An error in the way the standard deduction is calculated could cost Minnesotans over 350 million dollars if it is not corrected. Minnesotans are already over-taxed and this error could mean families that are struggling with the increased costs of everyday necessities could owe hundreds more to the state. We need to be focused on providing relief for Minnesotans as they face record inflation and cost increases. This correction should be just the first step towards that goal.
DFL Legislator Seeks to Infringe on 2nd Amendment
After the DFL imposed additional restrictions on the Second Amendment firearm rights of law-abiding citizens last year, they are looking to further infringe upon your constitutional right to bear arms. HF 3570 (Finke) would prohibit the transfer of a semi-automatic firearm in Minnesota and impose a 5-year prison sentence and/or a $25,000 fine on anyone who does so.
This bill also expands the definition of "Military Style Assault Weapon" to include any rifle that has a detachable magazine as well as a pistol grip, folding or telescoping stock, or barrel shroud. It also limits magazines to ten rounds or less. To address these expanded definitions the bill funds a buy-back program with a yet-to-be-determined appropriation. Infringing on your Second Amendment rights and using your own tax dollars to do it.
Get Involved
The most important solution for the future of Minnesota is for everyone to get involved and make their voice heard. As we saw last year, when Minnesotans show up and make their voice heard we can force some decisions on the single-party controlled legislature and governor. Some upcoming ways you can get involved are precinct caucuses on February 27th and the presidential primary on March 5th. You can find your caucus location here and your presidential primary location here.
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