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Friends,
It was another busy week at the Capitol! This week House Republicans fought to increase the penalty for knowingly selling firearms to those prohibited by law from possessing firearms, known as a straw purchase. We also finalized the school resource officer compromise bill and passed it off of the House Floor one last time. Finally, I want to update you all on a concerning housing bill that was recently introduced and highlighted in the Prior Lake American.?
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Video Update
Thanks to each of you have reached out and shared your thoughts and concerns and please keep reaching out!? Please take a few minutes to watch the following video about some of items happening in St. Paul.
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Straw Purchases
Yesterday, my colleague Rep. Peggy Scott tried to have the House immediately take up her bill to hike the penalty on straw purchasers to a felony. We?ve heard testimony in committee from former county prosecutors who have said that they rarely, if ever, charge criminals with this crime due to the fact that it is merely a gross misdemeanor in state law. Straw purchasing a firearm for somebody else who you know is prohibited by law from owning guns, potentially because they?re a convicted, violent criminal, is an offense that should be taken seriously, and I believe that if the state of Minnesota did start taking it seriously, we?d be able to prevent future tragedies. To be clear, this is a tangible way to reduce gun violence and increase public safety, and Rep. Scott?s motion unfortunately failed on the Floor last night by a vote of 66-60.?
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School Resource Officers
I?m happy to report that this week House Republicans were finally able to pass the school resource officer compromise bill off of the House Floor for the last time, and that it was just signed into law this week! While the seven-month delay is unacceptable, I?m glad that we were able to pass a bipartisan fix to further strengthen our schools and keep our community safe. During my time at the Capitol, I will keep working to find ways to support strong schools and strong families to make a strong community.?
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Troubling Housing Bill
Finally, this is the housing bill that I wanted to bring to your attention. HF 4009 is a bill that would drastically change our neighborhoods. The bill essentially removes single-family zoning across the state and would, without exaggeration, allow a developer to buy the house next door to you, tear it down, and replace it with up to eight units. This blatant attack on local control would impact everything we hold most dear in our communities ? namely health and safety. I?m opposed to this bill, and I hope you?ll join me in researching, and eventually opposing, this dangerous bill.
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Constituent Meetings
Enjoyed continuing to learn from the Scott Soil & Water Conservation District and for those that joined me for Coffee and Constituents!
 
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