Dear Neighbor, It was nice getting back to the Capitol this week, fresh off the Easter holiday and ready to find solutions to this session’s biggest issues as we get closer and closer to our May 17 date to adjourn. Here’s the latest from the House: Affordability House Republicans hosted a press conference yesterday to formally introduce a package of bills designed to help make Minnesota more affordable for local families and businesses. That same afternoon, we moved to declare urgency on the House floor to vote on bills that reduce vehicle tab fees and provide one-time property tax relief. House Democrats blocked those efforts and still want to make life more expensive in our state. In any case, tax increases are off the table for already overtaxed Minnesotans. I am focused on bills related to affordability and cutting government waste before we even think of asking local families to pay another nickel in taxes. Meetings Thank you to the team of individuals that came down from our district to discuss issues taking place in their industry for a Social Work Day at the Capitol.  Enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with employees from MSOP and DOC Moose Lake.  Always a magnificent time doing Coffee & Conversation up in Cloquet.  Protecting girls sports This week on the House floor, I joined my Republican colleagues in trying to move forward three bills aimed at protecting safe and fair competition in girls sports. Unfortunately, House Democrats blocked each one. This effort comes at a time when the issue is getting national attention. The U.S. Department of Justice is now suing Minnesota over policies related to girls sports and women-only spaces, and the International Olympic Committee recently announced it will limit women’s Olympic events to biological females. One of the bills we brought forward, the Preserving Girls Sports Act (H.F. 12), is pretty straightforward, simply ensuring that sports designated for girls are limited to biological females. Polling shows about 80 percent of the nation agrees with that position. But because Democrats refused to allow the bill to move forward, current policies remain in place.  This is another example of how out of touch some legislators are with the concerns of everyday Minnesotans. Fairness and safety matter in girls sports, and so does protecting the progress made over decades under Title IX. When it comes to competition, decisions should be based on biological reality. Instead, House Democrats once again sided with activist-driven policies rather than the views of most Minnesotans. As mentioned, in March, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit alleging Minnesota is violating Title IX by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls competitions, creating an uneven playing field and limiting opportunities for female athletes. That lawsuit came after the state missed a federal deadline earlier this year to update its policies. And, beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, the International Olympic Committee will prohibit athletes who have gone through male puberty from competing in the women’s category, citing fairness and safety. At the same time, there have been conflicting developments in Minnesota. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled last fall that excluding athletes based on sex can qualify as discrimination under public accommodation law, while the Minnesota State High School League has refused to comply with the federal ban on biological males competing in female sports. Just last spring, a male-born pitcher led a girls softball team to a state championship, tossing a shutout in the title game. It’s also worth noting this isn’t the first time Democrats have blocked action on this issue. They prevented a vote on the Preserving Girls Sports Act last year, and this week they did the same not only to H.F. 12, but also to two similar bills (H.F. 2685 and H.F. 1233). I’ll continue working to support policies that protect fairness and safety in local girls sports, and will keep you updated as developments occur on this issue. Local Career Fair The East Central MN Career Fair will take place on Tuesday, April 14, in Pine City. It’s a great chance to connect with local employers, explore job opportunities, and get support from workforce professionals all in one place with more than two dozen employers participating. The event will be at Pizza Pub (500 3rd Ave. SE, Pine City), starting with a resume review from 11 a.m. to noon before the fair itself runs from noon to 2 p.m. Good luck! Sincerely, Jeff |