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Hello from the State Capitol,
Recently, the House K-12 Education Policy Committee on which I serve heard a pair of common-sense proposals that would counteract a pair of controversial laws approved by Governor Walz and an all Democrat-led government last session.
ENDING THE ETHNIC STUDIES MANDATE
The first would repeal ethnic studies requirements that requires school districts to offer an ethnic studies course in high school by the 2026-27 school year. It also requires ethnic studies to be embedded into all new revisions of academic standards.
When most people hear “ethnic studies” in schools, they envision students being taught about the differences and similarities of other cultures and their histories. But Democrats in Minnesota went well beyond that in their quest to indoctrinate our youth.
According to statute, ethnic studies analyzes the ways in which race and racism have been and continue to be powerful social, cultural, and political forces, and the connections of race to the stratification of other groups, including stratification based on gender, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and legal status.
There is little doubt this law was approved in order to force a specific political ideology and agenda into our classrooms rather than teaching the understanding of other peoples and cultures.
At a time when half of Minnesota’s kids can’t read at grade level proficiency, and science and math numbers are even worse, wouldn’t it make more sense to have teachers focus more on our core educational priorities rather than being forced to learn how to implement a Democrat-mandated agenda? This ethnic studies mandate needs to go away.
PRESERVE GIRLS’ SPORTS ACT MOVES AHEAD
The education policy committee also approved the Preserving Girls Sports Act, which would maintain fairness and safety in girls’ athletics.
To sum it up quickly, the bill would prevent athletes who were born as boys from participating in girls sporting events.
It’s pretty sad that we actually have to pass legislation in order to keep biological males out of girls’ sports. Recently, a boy won the girls’ state championship for pole vault in Maine, and his high school won the girls’ team state championship because of the points he earned. Click here to learn more.
Imagine if you were the girl who worked years to get to this point and came in second place? Or your team fell just short? How is this fair?
Before you mock Maine, remember we have our own problems here at home. The Minnesota State High School League has stated it will not comply with President Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which is why the Preserving Girls Sports Act is coming forward in the first place.
NEVER AGAIN BILL MOVES AHEAD
You’ll recall from a previous update my “never again” bill, which would ensure future governors would never again be able to abuse emergency powers. This week I brought my bill before the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division. To hear my introduction, click here.
LOCAL VISITORS
A sea of blue descended on the Capitol this week! It was great to visit with so many students from local FFA chapters, including a group from Farmington.
Northfield also checked in.
As did Randolph.
Thanks to all of the FFA students and their instructors who stopped by to visit!
In liberty,
Drew
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