Minnesota Legislature
Poll results show state fairgoers favor ban on cell phones in schools; strengthened gun storage requirements
By Jonathan Mohr
Two-thirds of respondents to the 2024 House of Representatives’ State Fair Poll support prohibiting K-12 students from using cell phones during the school day. A similar percentage say they would favor expanding firearm storage laws.
A new law requires a school district or charter school to adopt a policy on students' possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025, and 68.6% of polltakers said K-12 schools should ban the use of phones during the school day, while 20.8% oppose such a policy, and 10.6% are undecided.
The firearm storage question brought similar results with 69.8% in favor of requiring owners to store a firearm unloaded and with a locking device, or firearm storage unit, while 22.8% are against such a proposal, and 7.4% are undecided.
The annual poll was conducted by the nonpartisan House Public Information Services Office and is an informal, unscientific survey of issues discussed in prior legislative sessions and that may again be topics of discussion in 2025. The 12-question poll was taken by 7,965 fairgoers this year, down slightly from 2023 when 8,144 people took part.
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House closes 2024 session in chaotic fashion, trading bonding for budget boosts
By Rob Hubbard
It was a session of modest ambitions.
After 2023 produced a record $72 billion in biennial funding, Minnesota’s legislative leaders were dampening expectations for anything ...
Ways and Means Committee OKs proposed $512 million supplemental budget on party-line vote
By Mike Cook
Meeting more needs or fiscal irresponsibility is one way to sum up the differences among the two parties on a supplemental spending package a year after a $72 billion state budg...
