Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are now at the point in the session where things are speeding up. Bills are passing, taxpayer money is being spent and the consequences will be felt for a long time.  I will continue to point out the problems with the direction in which we are headed. Unsustainable spending and growth in government.  Government putting its thumb on the scale against property rights, employers, and entrepreneurs. Changing our election laws so that election results are stacked against the people and toward the party of government. The only hope is if more people become informed and lend their voice to opposing these changes we'll have a chance to turn things around. 

You read that right.  Republicans attempted to amend the higher education omnibus policy bill to block illegal immigrants from being eligible for Minnesota's North Star Promise taxpayer-funded college program for students whose parents make less than 80K a year. 

The North Star Promise is supposed to be a "last dollar" program. When a student exhausts all other scholarship and grant programs, the state will chip in on that last mile to get a qualifying student into a Minnesota public or tribal college. The Minnesota Dream Act passed in 2013 allows people who did not enter the country legally to claim Minnesota resident status for Higher Education purposes.  So, the interaction of the two laws and an unchecked border will combine to provide anyone who breaks the law and shows up in our state the opportunity to receive a college education courtesy of Minnesota taxpayers. In Addition, because they will not qualify for other types of aid, that "last dollar" could become very expensive.

The lack of enforcement at our southern border has brought millions of illegal immigrants into our country. Within 7 weeks, they are accessing free money from the taxes of hardworking Minnesotans, including money for college.

Democrats blocked the amendment. Their efforts to make Minnesota a magnet state for illegal immigrants continue.

A few weeks back you may remember that I was able to support a bipartisan bill eliminating the shotgun zone in Southern Minnesota. An omnibus bill with that provision passed off the floor of the Senate a short time later, although it has exceptions for several counties: Nicollet, Blue Earth, Freeborn, Mower, Olmstead and Dodge Counties. These counties can allow rifle hunting in their county at any time by adopting a resolution.  I tried to amend a requirement for a hearing but was voted down so citizens in those counties will have to raise the issue themselves.  I have heard from constituents that are very hopeful that this can pass into law this year, however, there is no parallel language in the House bill, so it's not a forgone conclusion that it will pass both houses this year. 

Some of you have expressed doubts about the safety of rifles vs. shotguns. If you or someone you know is skeptical, I would urge you to read and share the information available.  The data  that supports the argument that shotguns are not safer than rifles and rifles may in fact be safer.  Minnesota is one of the few remaining states with a shotgun only zone.   This week I spoke with Tony Kennedy of the Star Tribune and you can read that story here.  A lot of the available information on this topic is contained in the article. 

Thursday, the Senate debated an omnibus elections bill. This bill continues the pattern of expanding people's ability to vote with less verification about whether someone is entitled to vote or any way of determining whether someone has voted multiple times in different locations.  Previously, homeless voters needed someone from a shelter to verify that they were a temporary resident. In the era of homeless encampments, this bill allows anyone to write "a description" of where they live. There is also a provision in the bill that allows a voting jurisdiction to set up "pop up" voting stations to allow college students or similar groups of people to vote more conveniently rather than having to go to the local voting precinct or early voting center.  The new Minnesota Voting Rights Act allows any individual in a "protected class" to sue in Minnesota Courts alleging that their vote has been "suppressed" or "diluted." Previously voting rights cases would have to be taken to a Federal Court. 

One of the highlights of that bill include a requirement that persons conducting the exit poll are required to present a photo I.D. to the head judge, however, there is no provision requiring voters to have a photo I.D. The DFL also voted down an amendment that would have required an election judge to verbally ask if the voter is a citizen of the United States, which would have ensured that difficulty reading the voter’s oath does not prevent someone from knowing that they need to be a citizen to vote.

In past years, elections bills were always bipartisan. Governor Dayton, along with previous governors, would pledge not to sign an election bill unless there is bipartisan support. Unfortunately, this spirit of bipartisanship was severely lacking from this bill, and only one Republican voted for the bill in the Senate.

Please contact me to share any issues, concerns, or feedback you have to assist me in best representing you.  The best way to reach me is by email at [email protected] or by phone at 651-296-5612. My legislative assistant is Margaret Martin, and her number is 651-296-4264.  

Sincerely,

Steve Drazkowski

Minnesota Senate, District 20, Wabasha, Goodhue, Winona, Olmsted, and Dakota Counties.

2411 Minnesota Senate Building

95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155