DFL Bill Introductions
The DFL released their top priorities for this session when they introduced their first bills. As a reminder, our state has a $17.6 billion surplus, but none of their top priorities include permanent tax relief for families or seniors, addressing crime, or the staggering learning loss due to the covid school closures.
It appears that House Democrats do not intend to enact common-sense, bipartisan legislation that addresses the concerns I heard from constituents this fall. Instead, they seem to be prioritizing far-left policies that are favored by certain groups, not all Minnesotans. Here’s a few of their top priorities for the session:
H.F. 1 would codify a woman's right to an abortion up to the time of delivery in Minnesota law. It also continues taxpayer-funded abortions in Minnesota and fails to provide for parental notification or consent. Furthermore, it does nothing to protect the health and welfare of mothers, as there are no provisions to ensure abortion clinics are licensed and safe.
H.F. 2 would appropriate funds for mandated paid family and medical leave for all businesses, regardless of size. It also requires these benefits be provided to part-time employees and mandates the exact benefit rather than allowing businesses and employees to tailor plans to their needs. Last session, this bill was projected to cost $4 billion.
I have many concerns about what this bill would mean for small businesses, so I will be following it very closely as it goes through committees.
H.F. 3 would enact sweeping changes to Minnesota's voting laws, including automatic voter registration and “pre-registration” of 16 and 17-year-olds. It would also restore voting rights for felons before they have completed the probation portion of their sentence and would implement a controversial "Democracy Dollars" program that has been used in local elections, like Seattle.
H.F. 4 would give illegal immigrants the ability to obtain a Minnesota driver's license.
H.F. 7 would require Minnesota to be carbon-free by 2040.
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