Hello from the State Capitol,
Recently the State of Minnesota was sued by the U.S. Department of Justice for failing to adhere to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
This week, the Minnesota House of Representatives attempted to end this illegal practice by considering my Preserving Girls Sports Act on the House floor, which would prohibit boys from playing in girls’ sports in Minnesota.
By allowing biological males to compete in biological girls’ competitions, all we’ve fought for through Title IX and women’s athletics is meaningless. The federal government recognizes it. The International Olympic Committee recognizes it. Minnesota House Republicans recognize it. Yet not one House Democrat could find the courage to stand up for girls in the State of Minnesota, and that is just shameful.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice complaint, Defendants Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) have engaged in sex-based discrimination by requiring girls to compete against boys in athletic competitions that are designated exclusively for girls and allowing boys to invade intimate spaces designated exclusively for girls, such as multi-person locker rooms and bathrooms.
The Preserving Girls Sports Act would end this Title IX violation. It specifically states that only students of the female sex may participate in an elementary or secondary school athletic team or sport that an educational institution has restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls.
The bill received a full vote of the Minnesota House on April 7. All 67 Republicans voted for the proposal, and all 66 Democrats voted against it. Because 68 votes are needed for legislation to be approved in the Minnesota House, the Preserving Girls Sports Act failed to pass by one vote.
It’s embarrassing that for a second time this biennium, every House Democrat has voted in favor of sex-based discrimination.
To watch my House floor comments, click here.
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER FRAUD: MORE INELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS RECEIVING STATE FUNDING
More potential fraud was uncovered this week within the Minnesota Promise Act, a $100 million grant program passed by the Democrat-led legislature in 2023. The program is intended to support businesses affected by civil unrest and racial discrimination. Eligible recipients can receive up to $50,000, though reports suggest that oversight measures are highly lacking.
A KSTP report found “several recipients appear to be operating miles outside of eligible neighborhoods, and that other businesses may not be operating at all.” As recently as a month ago, the Democrat author of the bill assured the public there was no fraud in the program.
We need to stop payments taking place within this program immediately until we have more concrete answers.
To view Channel 5’s story, click here.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS BLOCK BILLS PROVIDING YOU WITH PROPERTY TAX AND VEHICLE TAB FEE RELIEF
If you own a car, you’ve probably noticed how dramatically vehicle tab fees have increased, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. For owners of newer vehicles, the jump has been especially steep. It’s hard to justify paying close to $1,000 a year just to display a license plate sticker, particularly when registering that same vehicle in Wisconsin might cost around $85.
On Thursday, the Minnesota House considered a bill aimed at restoring vehicle tab fees to their pre-2023 levels. The proposal would have delivered nearly $1 billion in tax relief for drivers and potentially saved individuals hundreds of dollars annually. Every Republican supported the measure, while every Democrat voted against it.
The House also voted on legislation to provide a one-time property tax refund to homeowners across Minnesota. Again, all Republicans voted in favor and all Democrats opposed the bill. Both measures ultimately failed, as the evenly split chamber resulted in tie votes.
PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM PLAGUED WITH PROBLEMS
Who could have guessed there would be problems aplenty with the state’s new Paid Family Medical Leave program? (Hint: every legislative Republican who voted against the bill and said as much two years ago).
According to a recent Alpha News report, for some Minnesotans, the state’s new paid leave program has become more than a paperwork headache, with multiple people telling Alpha News that delays stretching well beyond three weeks — and in some cases months — are now affecting their ability to pay bills.
One worker who contacted Alpha News said they have been on medical leave through their work since March 18 but are still waiting for the state to process an application submitted more than a month ago.
Learn more here.