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March 26, 2024
Legislative Update
Energy Update
On Tuesday last week, we heard HF 4689, in the Climate and Energy Committee. The bill creates a $6,000 state rebate towards a geothermal heat pump installation in single-family homes. Geothermal pumps move air from around 30 feet below the earth’s surface – where the temperature remains the same year-round – into the user's home. In the winter, warm air from the earth is pumped up whereas in summer, warm air is pumped down. The hot air can also be used to heat water. These systems can potentially operate at a lower cost than traditional gas or propane systems and have zero emissions.
But, according to Charles Sutton, a representative of the Geothermal Exchange Organization, a geothermal system for a single-family home would cost $22,0000 to $45,0000 depending on the size of the home and if it needed to be retrofitted.
In January this year, I replaced my 1993 gas furnace with a high-efficiency gas furnace at a total cost of $4,700, which is less than the entire proposed $6000 state rebate for a geothermal system in this bill. Even after the federal government's tax credit of 26%, the system is only affordable to higher-income individuals. I believe in being a responsible steward of your tax dollars and this is way too expensive. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a bigger bill. I certainly hope this one does not move forward.
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Protecting our Most Vulnerable
Last Thursday, in the House Higher Education Committee, we heard HF 4024, the policy omnibus bill. The Fostering Independence Grant Program (FIG) was first implemented two years ago. The grants pay tuition, fees, room and board, and other wrap-around services for individuals who went through the foster care system. The program, however, was more popular than initially expected, doubling in applicants from the first year to the second. So much so, that it is facing a $5 million budget shortfall.
As a Republican, I believe in protecting the most vulnerable, especially our children. HF4024 changes this scholarship to a first-come-first-serve basis, with a waiting list. We made promises to these fosters, and it's wrong that we are now breaking that promise after the program has barely started. With a $19 billion surplus completely spent last year, it's ridiculous that $5 million can't be redirected to make these kids whole. This is especially true after the House Ways and Means Committee just approved an additional $512 million in spending. That amount would completely cover the remaining cost of this program and fulfill the promises made to these kids two years ago by the state, but the entire Higher Education supplemental budget was only $500,000. This is not a budgeting problem. This is a priorities problem for the Democrat majority.
Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is a cornerstone value of our country. It is your First Amendment right. Last session, House Democrats added gender identity as a protected class to the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Absent was a religious exemption for gender identity, so faith organizations would not be forced to hire someone who did not align with their values and beliefs. Amendments were offered to fix what we had thought to be an oversight. However, when religious leaders from a variety of faith communities appeared before the Judiciary Committee in February, they were treated with disrespect by Democrat members of the committee. Members likened religious leaders to bigots and openly berated them during the committee meeting. The amendment was voted down along party lines.
Yesterday, Representative Harry Niska (R-Ramsey, pictured to the left) offered HF 3926 on the House floor for discussion, which includes this religious exemption. With the passing of the first and second deadlines last week, an urgency was declared to suspend the rules and fix the problem now. It could have gone through the normal process, but Democrats refused to give the bill a hearing in committee when requested in late February. Democrats tabled the motion on the floor, which is a nondebatable motion, leaving religious freedom at risk in our state. Simply put, it is unconstitutional. It is unclear if, or when, Democrats in the majority will allow the House to revisit this bill.
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Continuing on this subject, I want to reiterate that I firmly stand with Israel. On Monday, I hung an Israeli flag outside of my office to show my support for the Jewish people across the state. I asked my fellow Republican members to do the same. I told them that I would buy an Israeli flag for anyone who would hang it up in their offices at the State Office Building. During times of rising antisemitism here in Minnesota, highlighted in last week’s legislative update, showing solidarity with the Jewish people is an important priority. |
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