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Dear neighbor,
Greetings from the House as we put another week in the 2024 session in the books. It’s hard to believe Easter is just around the corner and then we’ll be heading into the home stretch toward our May 20 date for adjournment.
A couple of very serious subjects – public safety and religious freedom – were in the spotlight at the Capitol this week. Here is more on those subjects and more.
Religious freedom
People sometimes make a fuss when religion enters the political sphere … but what do we think about the state inserting itself in our religion? The latter is happening right here in Minnesota with what has become a highly controversial issue in the Legislature.
Things started coming to a head Jan. 29 when House Democrats voted down a House Republican committee amendment to restore a religious freedom provision that was deleted from Minnesota Human Rights Act law last year. This week, instead of doing the right thing for Minnesotans, Senate Democrats took the same bad vote as the House majority, failing to restore in state law to our long-held consensus that religious communities in Minnesota have the autonomy to decide questions of faith.
The proposed measure ensures religious organizations and faith-based schools can, among other things, hire teachers and ministers consistent with their mission and values. Already, at least one faith-based school is facing an employment complaint at the department of human rights because of the removal of the provision.
House Democrats, Senate Democrats and Gov. Walz had more than two weeks to take a step back and do the right thing for people in our state. Instead, they continued declaring open season on our religious freedom while doubling down on their position the state’s views trump your heartfelt beliefs. The same amendment was proposed in the Senate this week, but was voted down along party lines, just as when Republicans proposed it in the House.
The Democrats’ assault on religion began a year ago, when gender identity was included (or subsumed) 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. This issue caused alarm among Minnesota’s faith community and House Republicans worked with religious leaders to craft an amendment to MHRA legislation S.F. 4292. House Democrats and Senate Democrats then voted against that language.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the overriding bill and I will continue advocating for the religious freedom component to be restored. I encourage local residents to spread the word and check with their church or faith leaders to see how they can help resolve this issue.
Local visitors
 It’s been great to continue welcoming visitors to my office in St. Paul, including constituents who wanted to discuss workforce challenges (above) and other issues …
 such as MinnesotaCare (above). The input always is appreciated as I continue working in the best interests of District 15A residents.
Public safety
Our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve us deserve to have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. That’s the least we can do for them. We also need laws that crack down on crime, prosecutors who prosecute and a court system that adheres to sentencing guidelines.
House Republicans conducted a press conference this week to call for hearings on a series of several bills we have authored to support our law enforcement officers, hold criminals accountable and keep our communities safe. These bills have been specifically requested by our partners in law enforcement.
One of the bills House Republicans propose (H.F. 4837) would allow more flexibility in how public safety aid is used by local governments so they can meet their specific needs. Our citizens and law enforcement officers alike deserve no less. This is in contrast to what the majority did last year when it placed tight restrictions on how a $300 million funding increase for local law enforcement could be used. The money was limited to:
- Community violence prevention and intervention programs
- Community engagement
- Mental health crisis responses
- Victim services
- Training programs
- First responder wellness
- Equipment related to fire, rescue, and emergency services
- To pay other personnel or equipment costs
Tactical vehicles, for instance, do not qualify, even though we continue seeing instances where they could save lives. Neither does something as practical as improving lighting to increase safety.
Ag Day
 National Ag Day was this week and I want to give a quick shout-out to farmers and other ag workers in our district. Your hard work is not only essential for our simple survival, but also is a key element in our economy. You are the reason our state has a proud history as an ag leader, and I can’t thank you enough.
Look for more on these developing issues and more from St. Paul. For now, have a good weekend and please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Chris
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