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Greetings,
Minnesota?s 2024 legislative session began Monday and it?s good to be back at the Capitol working for District 29A residents with crucial issues on tap for the coming months.
I think the question on everyone?s mind is just how far the House majority will push its agenda this year after it used full control of the Capitol to make many extreme changes last year. They did everything from raising taxes by $10 billion despite a $17.5 billion surplus to enacting some of the world?s most extreme abortion policies. They also undermined our Second Amendment rights, issued driver?s licenses for all who are here illegally and, in addition, gave free college and healthcare to those who are here illegally as well.
With that in mind, maybe the less that happens this session, the better with one-party control at the Capitol. Minnesotans like a more balanced approach to legislation and laws, instead of a one-party rule and winner-take-all government where one party uses a paper-thin majority to push a far-left agenda on all citizens.
The interests of all Minnesotans might be best served if the Legislature simply corrects a couple of problems caused by ill-advised legislation last year, considers a modest infrastructure bill and then gets out of Dodge before more damage is done. Every day there is one-party control in St. Paul is another day they can push to make Minnesota a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants, further compromise our Second Amendment rights ? the list goes on.
A $350 million error in last year?s omnibus tax bill is one of the problems that needs to be fixed while the Legislature is in session. There?s also an unresolved issue regarding school resource officers to take care of. You may remember changes made to state law last year limit what SROs are allowed to do to de-escalate aggressive or violent situations, taking away tools they can use to keep students and teachers safe. In response, law enforcement agencies pulled SROs from numerous schools across Minnesota.
Unfortunately, the majority continues blocking House minority attempts to take prompt action that would put this issue to rest despite having promised to put it on a fast track. Schools, students, and law enforcement have been waiting for months for a solution allowing SROs to return to their posts, ensuring school safety. The House minority will continue working until a real fix is passed and all SROs are back in schools.
Watch for more from the Capitol soon. I?m working on some bills of my own, including some local projects pertaining to Howard Lake, Delano, Waverly and Montrose, and may have more to share down the road. For now, here are some links to help you follow all the action in St. Paul this session:
Have a good weekend and, as always, please let me know how I can help.
Regards,
Joe
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