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Greetings,
The 2024 legislative session is over following a wild and chaotic finish, due to the legislative majority’s inability to manage their time.
MEGA OMNIBUS BILL APPROVED
With minutes left in session, the majority piled numerous spending proposals into one bill and passed it. The bill includes spending relating to taxes, transportation, housing, labor, higher education, agriculture, energy, and human services. Also included is language relating to scope of practice, paid family leave, and a binary trigger ban for firearms. No one had a chance to review this 1,400-page bill prior to a vote being taken.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CODIFYING ABORTION STALLS
A bill that would ask voters to amend the state’s Constitution to allow abortions up to 40 weeks was approved by one vote in the Minnesota House but was not taken up by the Senate prior to adjournment. If approved by voters, the language that would have been added to the Constitution would enshrine the most extreme abortion policy in the nation – abortion up to the moment of birth - which is opposed by most Minnesotans. Because the bill stalled in the Senate, the proposed Constitutional amendment will not be on the ballot this fall.
RANKED CHOICE VOTING FAILS
A plan that would allow local governments to implement a ranked choice voting program received bipartisan opposition and was not approved by the House. Under this idea, which would have only applied to local races if a local government chose to implement the program, multiple candidates for a particular office appear on a ballot, and voters rank them in order of their preference. If no candidate receives more than half of the first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and those who ranked them first instead have their vote go to their second choice. The process continues until one candidate achieves the required 50%. Many have said the process is confusing and cumbersome and slows the counting of votes on Election Day.
GOVERNOR SIGNS BILL CONTAINING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
A bill allowing Minnesota’s religious organizations to hire employees who meet their mission has been signed into law by Governor Walz. Action was necessary after the legislative majority removed an exemption in the Minnesota Human Rights Act that essentially put religious organizations and faith-based schools at risk. After weeks of persuasion from Republicans, the majority finally relented and agreed to approve legislation that reinstated the exemption. I’m very pleased this Constitutional right has been properly addressed.
PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
 I was pleased to attend Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremonies at the State Capitol grounds. The event honors those officers who have died or have been injured in the line of duty.
KEEP IN TOUCH
As always, I'm continuing to support constituent needs. Feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected]. or by phone at 651-296-7808.
Talk to you soon,
Tim
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