|
Last night was the first long floor session of the year with a number of policy bills on the House floor. These covered education, transportation, and veterans affairs. Notably was HF 4334 by Representative Bjorn Olson which brings state veteran benefits in line with federal benefits so that eligibility is congruent. This is important to make sure we are supporting our veterans and their families.
In the Transportation bills, a recurring theme was attempting to fix the shortfall in driver's license testing availability. We brought forward a number of amendments to fund more testing capability and improvements to the scheduling system so that more Minnesotans can get access to this critical service. Unfortunately, the majority continued to vote down our proposals to fix this mounting issue.
A Gross Neglect of Emergency Services
Despite the surge in spending, democrats and the governor are shamefully neglecting the dire needs of our emergency medical services across the state. Their new proposal throws a meager $16 million at rural EMS, a pitiful sum that falls woefully short of what is required for full funding.
Providers are gasping for breath under the suffocating ?fee-for-service? model, which has left rural areas of the state in a dire situation with dwindling access to ambulances and other EMS options. There is legislation on the table that could provide more aid, but it seems we are far from prioritizing this fundamental function of government ? public safety ? over the Democrats? proposals.
This is a glaring testament to the gross mismanagement of taxpayer funds we?ve witnessed at the Capitol under the current one-party control. Minnesotans deserve far better from their legislators than to be taxed to the bone while essential services are scandalously shortchanged. If they?re going to splurge, then let?s at least channel it towards priority issues such as public safety.
Support of Police and Peace Officers
In support of Minnesota?s police and peace officers and an abundant need for improved public safety, House Republicans have put forward our public safety package with a number of proposals to address this mounting issue.
-
Public Safety Aid Flexibility: This initiative allows local governments to use public safety aid as per their needs, unlike the previous session?s restricted $300 million aid.
-
Expert Witness Disclosure: A bill requiring county attorneys to disclose expert witness information in officer-involved death incidents, in response to recent issues with the Hennepin County Attorney?s Office.
-
Penalty for Illegal Firearm Transfer: I support legislation to increase penalties for ?straw man? firearm purchases. Despite an indictment related to a Burnsville shooting, House Democrats have yet to advance this legislation.
House Democrats have not yet moved the legislation forward. It is unfortunate that the majority often takes the language of a bill proposed by Republicans and creates a new bill so that one of their own can take full credit. However, I am still hopeful that these public safety proposals will be discussed in the coming weeks.
Democrats Aim to Kill More Jobs and Limit Transportation
This issue was thrust into the spotlight last spring when the legislative majorities passed HF 2369, a bill designed to drastically hike pay requirements for rideshare drivers. This bill would have already driven rideshare companies out of at least parts of our state, had the governor not vetoed it. Radicals on the Minneapolis City Council recently bulldozed ahead with their steep fee increases for rideshares, even overriding a mayoral veto of the proposal. This reckless move prompted Uber to announce it would halt service in the entire metro area, while Lyft declared it would stop serving Minneapolis.
Thousands of divers will be out of work on May 1st when Uber and Lyft end their services in the metro area and likely the entire state soon after. This would be devastating for countless Minnesotans who rely on these services to get to work, get transportation to non-emergency medical care, and give those who are unable to drive the freedom to enjoy all our state has to offer. Without action by the legislature, the Democrat city council will end ridesharing services for much of the state. What do you think we should do in the House of Representatives? Add your answer here: Google Form
|
