Hello again from St. Paul,

Another busy week at the Capitol as the legislature moves bills quickly through committees to the House floor. Unfortunately, in many cases bills have been pushed through those committees with limited debate and discussion of amendments. It is important that the majority respect the normal custom to encourage respectful and thoughtful debate as we all strive to represent our constituents back home.

I appreciated the opportunity to visit with Chancellor Devinder Malhotra along with faculty and administration from Northland Community and Technical College (photo above). We discussed budget concerns as well as the great things happening at our two-year public colleges and their role in educating the workforce that drives Minnesota?s economy.

I also had the chance to hear from Jill Hall (photo at left) representing the Minnesota Association of Townships and their 2023 legislative priorities.? Townships maintain over 40% of Minnesota?s roads as well as 6000 bridges and we discussed the importance of transportation funding along with annexation fairness? along with other local issues.

I always appreciate when folks take the time to make the long trip from northwest Minnesota down to St. Paul to advocate for issues important to them.

On Thursday, Vanessa Skadsem (photo at left) from the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce made a quick stop by the Capitol to advocate for our businesses in northwest Minnesota focusing on the Paid Family Leave bill moving through the legislature this session.

Finally, there are a number of concerning gun control bills now moving through the committee process.? On Friday this week, the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee will hold hearings on the following bills:

• HF 14 -?Criminal background checks required for firearm transfers, and grounds modified for disqualification of transferee permit.
• HF 15 -?Law enforcement and family members enabled to petition a court to prohibit people from possessing firearms if they pose a significant danger to themselves or others by possessing a firearm, and money appropriated.
• HF 396 -?Safe storage of firearms and ammunition required, locking device required to be included in each firearm transfer, and criminal penalties imposed.
• HF 601 -?Lost and stolen firearms required to be reported promptly to law enforcement.

The importance of reading these bills and understanding what is at stake as we fight to protect our 2^nd Amendment rights cannot be understated. Our constitutional rights are on the line and your voices are needed in St. Paul!