FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amanda Tinsley
651-491-9946 (cell)
Amanda.Tinsley@house.mn.gov
News Release
Leader Niska Statement on $3.3 Million Cost of Democrats’ Attack on Religious Colleges
St. Paul, MN — House Republican Floor Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, issued the following statement after Minnesota taxpayers were ordered to pay $3.3 million in attorneys’ fees to the plaintiffs who successfully challenged a 2023 Democrat law barring colleges that require student statements of faith from participating in the state’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program.
“House Republicans warned Democrats in 2023 that targeting colleges because of their religious beliefs was blatantly unconstitutional and would be struck down by the courts, but Democrats refused to listen,” said Niska. “The plaintiffs had to sue to protect their U.S. Constitutional rights, and then they had to endure a long legal process to defend themselves after the Walz administration and Attorney General Ellison counter-sued them. This was clearly done to punish these two colleges for merely exercising their religious freedoms. Two years later, as predicted, a federal judge ruled completely in the colleges’ favor and struck down the law for violating the U.S. Constitution.”
“Attorney General Ellison countersuing and continuing to defend a law he should have known was unconstitutional is inexcusable. Now taxpayers are stuck with a $3.3 million bill for Democrats’ attack on religious freedom. This entire mess was entirely predictable, completely avoidable, and an indefensible waste of taxpayer dollars.”
During debate on the 2023 House Education Finance Bill, Niska repeatedly warned Democrats that the provision was unconstitutional and would be struck down in court, stating: “This provision will be challenged, and it will be struck down.”
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