Hello from the State Capitol,
A recent 67-67 tie vote in the Minnesota House has sparked intense debate after a bill aimed at boosting cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to pass.
The legislation would have required authorities to alert ICE whenever illegal immigrants are arrested for violent crimes—including murder, assault, carjacking, or kidnapping.
Every Republican voted in favor. Every Democrat voted against.
The proposal was modeled after the federal Laken Riley Act, named for a Georgia woman brutally murdered by an illegal immigrant with a known criminal past. In addition to the ICE notification requirement, the bill would have banned sanctuary policies that block local agencies from working with federal immigration officials.
Despite what those on the other side of the aisle tend to repeat, bringing this proposal forward was not a partisan stunt. It’s about protecting innocent lives. Shielding violent offenders from ICE only invites preventable tragedies. When someone is in the country illegally and commits a serious crime, there should be no debate: they should not be allowed to stay and endanger others.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON ON THE HOT SEAT
Minnesota’s newly established House Fraud Committee is finally exposing the deep-rooted financial mismanagement that has plagued our state government for far too long.
This week, Attorney General Keith Ellison spoke to the committee about the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scandal and what his relationship was with those who were later convicted of fraud crimes.
Leaked audio revealed Ellison expressing sympathy for certain East African businesses under investigation. Some of the people affiliated with these groups were later indicted and convicted of stealing from taxpayers. Even more alarming, Ellison reportedly vowed to pressure state agencies on their behalf, despite his duty to represent those very agencies as the state’s top legal officer.
Despite his appearance before the committee, Ellison left more questions than answers. The facts don’t line up—and Minnesotans deserve accountability. This investigation must continue until the full truth comes out.
LOCAL VISITORS
I appreciated getting a few minutes to visit with Emily Straw, the Nursing Home Administrator for Pennington Health Services.
She outlined issues related to care for our seniors, potential cuts to our nursing homes, and staffing problems. I valued her insights on the current budget proposals affecting long-term care, especially in rural Minnesota.