Legislative Update from Rep. Peggy Scott

Dear Friends,

Last night, Democrats passed an extreme bill to legalize abortion up until the moment of birth for any reason. The bill failed to provide any guardrails to protect women, girls, and infants. Perhaps the most appalling aspect of the bill was its failure to protect minors who find themselves in the unimaginably difficult situation of considering an abortion. Under this legislation, a young girl could obtain an abortion without her parents knowing. Because this bill encompasses all reproductive issues, that same 12- or 13-year-old girl could also choose to be sterilized without her parents’ consent.

Let me be clear: This bill will not protect a woman’s physical or mental health. You can learn more about the bill and why I voted no by clicking my picture on the right.

This week in the Judiciary committee we heard HF 100 which would legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota. Legalizing pot is an extremely complex topic with lots of issues to consider. What are the public safety impacts? The mental health impacts? How will we keep these substances out of the hands of minors? How will this expand government bureaucracy and how do we ensure that there is no waste, fraud, or abuse in any Office of Cannabis Management? 

The bill in its current form does not address any of these concerns. I have deep concerns about the impacts of legalizing recreational marijuana in Minnesota. I hope lawmakers think carefully before any such legislation is passed.