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This past week offered long hours of floor debate that frequently neared or stretched passed midnight on many supplemental budget bills. Several public safety bills, including a gun storage bill, provoked 11 hours of discussion. The House majority party continues its quest to chip away at the rights and freedoms that are constitutionally guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment. The number one email this session from residents of our district has been in opposition to bills that pertain to our 2nd Amendment rights.
Three Rivers Parks held their annual Day at the Capitol offering information on their regional park system. In addition, they brought baby lambs, which offered a much-needed break from the chaos that often occurs on the House floor.
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HOUSE MAJORITY APPROVES ANTI 2nd AMENDMENT BILLS
Once again, the House majority is passing legislation that will do nothing to stop violent criminals and will cause more headaches for law-abiding citizens. Last year, the majority passed legislation regarding “universal” background checks and red flag confiscation orders. A better approach would be for our state to step up efforts to enforce existing laws with prosecutors who are willing to fully charge violent criminals, and courts that stop turning dangerous people back out on the street with a slap on the wrist.
The bills passed this past week include:
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HF 4300 - new rules on firearm storage.
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HF 601 - requirements for reporting lost or stolen firearms.
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HF 2609 - a new “trigger activator” definition that may impact some commonly used guns, such as Glocks, and render them illegal.
H.F. 2609 does include House Republican language that steps up penalties for straw purchasers, which is great and an example of the approach we should be taking.
However, other controversial language disappointingly undermined strong bipartisan support that could have been achieved with a clean straw-purchase bill.
Two of the three bills passed along party lines and are now in the hands of the Senate where the majority party holds a one-seat advantage. This means the senator who is facing first-degree felony burglary charges could cast the deciding vote on bills undermining our 2nd Amendment rights and the ability for us to defend ourselves during a home invasion.
What is a pork barrel? This is a bill or project requiring considerable taxpayer spending in a locality to the benefit of the legislator’s constituents. Generally, we might think this happens in Washington DC. However, what happens in Washington DC happens in Minnesota too. There is language in the Environment Omnibus bill (HF 3911) that causes the word pork barrel to come to mind.
Tucked away in the bill is an egregious $400,000 expense. The spending is taken from the Natural Resources Fund. The purpose of the spending is to build a swimming pool in the committee chairman’s home district. Thankfully, common sense prevailed after one of my Republican colleagues offered an amendment to remove this provision. Simply, it's a waste of taxpayer dollars and is a complete misuse of the Natural Resources Fund.
Have a great week!
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