Friends,
On Thursday, I had held a press conference for my bill House File 2690 that will call for a convention under Article V of the US Constitution, which allows a convention of the states to be called to amend the United States Constitution if two-thirds of the states call for it.
This important and growing movement will empower 'We the People' to restore the balance between the individual and the federal government. A convention of the states will allow for correcting the drift over the last century that has given too much power to the federal government, and its mission creep and overreach. The time has come to return the power back to the people and I am proud to be a part of that charge here in Minnesota.
“Convention of States is a revolution, without the bullets," said Pete Hegseth, Fox News Host and a leader of the Convention of States movement. "A chance for the People to take back their overbearing federal government. Now is the time, and Minnesota should be next.”
The Senate version, SF 3490 is authored by Sen. Roger Chamberlain, R-Lino Lakes, and was introduced this week.
“There is a compelling case to be made that our federal government has drifted far afield of its original purpose,” said Sen. Chamberlain. “It has grown too powerful and too ineffective. A convention of states will empower people and states by securing our rights and liberties, so we can thrive and prosper the way our founders intended.”
I have sixteen co-authors in the Minnesota House and the Senate bill also has multiple co-authors from around the state.
Video of the press conference is available here.
Bills Heard in Committee
This week, four of my bills had hearings in various committees:
-HF 2780: Will require better notification, clarification, and information for daycare providers in regard to the new background checks. I'm continuing to work with providers and DHS on protecting minors and personal data.
-HF 3108: Will require all special elections take place on Tuesdays, the standard day for elections to take place.This past spring, we saw Governor Dayton call both the primary and general special elections to take place on a Monday. This proved to be confusing for many voters and resulted in a depressing turnout. My bill will help to clarify that all future special elections need to take place on a Tuesday.
-HF 2741: We need to fix the confusion in the patchwork of assistance programs. With all of the past IT programs, before we start development on a user and county portal, we have to understand what we really need. My bill will require a report on medical assistance, long-term services and supports, and other public assistance program applications
-HF 3448: State law currently has protections for an employee to not be fired or penalized if they are quarantined or put in isolation because of contracting a communicable disease. This bill extends those same protections to someone who is responsible for the care of a person who is in isolation or quarantine.
Meetings this week
This week, I had the great opportunity to meet with so many people and groups interested in what is going on at the legislature. A few of them include Dodge County Soil & Water, Health Partners, MN Dept of Health, MN Medical Association, local medical students from several fields, Housing First MN, City of Rochester officials, Aspire MN, MnIT staff, MN Chiropractic Association, Steele-Waseca Coop Electric, and People's Energy Coop
Please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on issues important to you. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office anytime by calling (651) 296-9236, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.duane.quam@house.mn
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Duane