Hello from the State Capitol,
Though legislative work has ended for the year, there has been plenty of activity recently from Minnesota’s court system regarding legislation that was approved two years ago when our state was led by Governor Walz and an all-Democratic majority in the legislature.
30 POUNDS OF LEGISLATION DOES NOT FIT IN A FIVE POUND SACK
I have long complained about the legislative practice of putting dozens, if not hundreds of provisions into one bill and telling lawmakers to vote yes or no on it. The bill likely includes several things you like and several you don’t, and you are torn whether to support it. Two years ago, the DFL majority slapped a 1,400-page omnibus bill on our desks near the end of session and told us to enjoy it, as they had the votes to approve it and really didn’t care what we thought about it.
Recently a Ramsey County judge struck down a provision within that legislation that changed the definition of “trigger activator” to address binary triggers because it violates the single subject clause of the Minnesota Constitution.
The judge noted: “But make no mistake, during the late hours of May 19, 2024, lawmaking did not ‘occur within the framework of the constitution.’ This Court respectfully suggests that if there has ever been a bill without a common theme and where ‘all bounds of reason and restraint seem to have been abandoned,’ this is it; and if there has ever been a time for the ‘draconian result of invalidating the entire law,’ that time is now.”
Let’s hope this is the wakeup call our state needs to end the practice of garbage omnibus bills. They are a poor way to legislate.
A WIN FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Two years ago, the same DFL-led legislature spitefully tried to block religious institutions from participating in Minnesota’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.
Recently a federal judge struck down the law, ruling that excluding faith-based schools was unconstitutional.
There was little doubt at the time this was an attempt by the legislative majority and Governor Walz to discriminate against faith-based universities, which is unbelievable on so many levels. Thankfully a federal court has stopped this nonsense.
WINDOM CHAMBER MEETING
I was pleased to be in Windom recently to take part in a Chamber of Commerce meeting held by Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach. She discussed the latest happenings in Washington, DC and we listened to concerns from local businesses, hospitals and schools.
HIGH SCHOOL PAGE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
If you know of a high school junior that is interested in the political process, please encourage them to sign up for the Minnesota House High School Page program. Participants will take part in committee hearings, House floor sessions, and more! In my opinion, there is no better way for a high school junior to learn about state government.
For details and application links, please click here.
Talk to you soon,
Marj