Hello neighbors!
Last week I sat on the New Member Panel on TPT Almanac with Rep. Barb Haley (R-Red Wing) Sen. Matt Little (DFL-Lakeville) and Sen. Paul Anderson (R-Plymouth). Check out the segment here (starts at 38:44).
I also sat down with Jack Tomczak and Benjamin Kruse, hosts of a conservative podcast called The Up and At Em Show. We talked about transparency and civility, and made lots of jokes about each other. Listen here (segment starts at 33:33).
I had a lot of fun visiting Scott Highlands to do a job shadow with a special education teacher.
I also met with constituents from the Alzheimer’s Association and the Minnesota Pharmacists Association. It was a pleasure meeting with all of them.
What I am hearing
I presented my first two bills this week, both of which were introduced in the Veterans Affairs Division. The first bill (HF 965) updates one of the Capitol’s commemorative plaques to honor World War I veterans regardless of where they served. All veterans, including those who served domestically, rendered a great service to our country, and they deserve to be recognized. The second bill (HF 1096) would extend a property tax exemption for partially disabled veterans to their spouses. If my bill becomes law, a disabled veteran’s widow won’t lose this tax relief.
Capitol Conversations:
Last week, we debated what the permanent rules for the MN House should be. A few of my colleagues offered amendments to the rules that included:
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Disclosure of junket sponsors—I voted yes.
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Prohibit the use of the chamber mute button on the Speakers desk to silence floor debate or members—I voted yes.
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Adding a deadline for the legislature to get work done 2 weeks before end of session—I voted yes.
After 4 hours of amendments, points of inquiry, advice to the Speaker and floor debate, none of the offered amendments to the rules were adopted.
I believe government should be accessible. I believe government should be transparent. And I believe elected officials should be both of those things too.
Getting our work done on time, disclosing trips paid for by outside groups, and not silencing dissent are not partisan issues. I was proud of the few GOP colleagues of mine who voted for these amendments, but I was disheartened by the many that didn't. I heard—loud and clear—the pleas for bipartisanship and transparency during the election cycle. I remain committed to those values and to this community.
Uffdah! (What worries me)
Permit-less Carry Bills! Currently, if you purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer, you are subject to a background check.* Then, if you would like to carry said gun loaded and in public, you apply for a permit to carry that gun with the County Sheriff--who runs a more extensive background check. This session, there have been two bills introduced that would eliminate the permit to carry, thus eliminating background checks for those who wish to carry loaded guns in public (HF 188 and HF 628).
When I spoke to folks at the door this past year, I heard strong support for background checks on all gun sales from gun owners, NRA members, moms, dads and concerned citizens. I will always support the right to bear arms and will always support background checks to ensure those with access to firearms are not domestic abusers, dangerously mentally ill, or violent criminals.
*Please note that firearms sold person to person, online or at gun shows are not subject to any background checks.
Hotdish
Coffee and Conversations will be on Sunday, February 26 from 12 p.m.-2: p.m. My apologies for canceling last weekend’s meeting so suddenly; my wife had an asthma event (likely induced by the sudden warm weather) and needed to go to urgent care. We are now stocked with inhalers and I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
Best,
Erin Maye Quade
State Representative