Legislative Update - Banning “Conversion Therapy”

Dear Neighbors, 

The only thing slowing our progress at the legislature is Mother Nature, as we cut our in-person work week short in anticipation of the storm. The snow still couldn’t stop us from passing important legislation on Monday though, including our latest push to ban “conversion therapy” for children and vulnerable adults. 

So called "conversion therapy" isn't therapy at all - it's child abuse. On Monday, I voted to ban this medically discredited practice and affirm that every young person deserves love, support, and the opportunity to live their best life - the life they choose to live as their authentic self.

The bill passed with a strong bipartisan vote, giving us momentum to finally get this bill across the finish line!

Cracking Down on Catalytic Converter Theft

Two other bills we passed on Monday focused on improving safety and addressing crime impacting Minnesotans. 

House File 30 seeks to crack down on the theft of catalytic converters by prohibiting anyone from possessing a used, unattached catalytic converter unless the owner has the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the vehicle, and the date the converter was removed from the vehicle. It prohibits the sale and purchase of catalytic converters by anyone other than registered scrap metal dealers, and would impose a fine of up to $10,000 for unlawful possession and sale.

Minnesota ranks in the top five for catalytic cover thefts. In November of 2022, a federal takedown of a catalytic converter theft ring of over a half-billion dollars included more than a  dozen search warrants across Minnesota.

Our other bill was House File 55, which would create an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. Black Minnesotans have told us they experience a lack of urgency from our public institutions when Black women and girls are reported missing. This new office will set strong standards for promptly sending alerts and supporting the community members closest to the pain of not knowing what happened to a missing family member or loved one.

I’m happy to share that all of these bills also passed with bipartisan support. 

It’s About *Darn* Time - New Snow Plows!

The “Truth Hurts” - we’re not out of winter yet, but luckily MnDOT has a fresh fleet of newly-named snow plows to clear our roads. 

Over 64,000 Minnesotans have spoken, and the “Rumors” are true, heading out into the streets this winter is our “Special” metro area snow plow, Blizzo.

Keep an eye out for Blizzo and stay safe out there!

In partnership, 

Michael Howard