Dear Neighbor,
Proposed gun laws which would impact our Second Amendment rights, and the governor’s State of the State Address gained the most attention in St. Paul this week. Here is a quick overview of the two topics:
SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
The Minnesota House Public Safety Committee spent most of this week debating a series of bills that address gun use in our state. Hundreds of concerned citizens from across the state descended on the Capitol to voice their concerns about the bills which they believe violate the Second Amendment. The bills included legislation requiring background checks for gun shows and private sales; limiting gun permit access for some Minnesotans; and a ban on so-called “assault weapons.”
Bills sponsored by Democrats in Minnesota are even more restricting than what the President wants to pass. New laws would do nothing to keep certain firearms out of the hands of wrong-doers. The last thing we should want to do is disarm the good, law-abiding citizens and many people fear that would be the result of these new laws.
DAYTON DELIVERS STATE OF STATE
Dozens of business owners from throughout the state were special guests of House Republican members as Gov. Mark Dayton delivered his State of the Speech Address this week. The business owners participated in a very productive roundtable discussion with House members prior to Dayton's speech. They shared a wide variety of thoughts and concerns regarding Minnesota's business climate.
A few of the points we heard from business owners small and large include:
· “The governor’s budget will make us downsize our business and we've already downsized because of the economy.”
· “I'm looking to neighboring states to expand.”
· “It is insulting to be demonized as the job creators.”
· “We are labeled as the rich who need to pay their fair share but all my income goes into my business.”
· “We are hurting and we aren't the big corporations.”
It was interesting how, in his speech, the governor took credit for the improvements Republican-led policies brought to Minnesota the last two years. We have gained 72,000 jobs in that span, our state’s bottom line is in better shape and the 2011 K-12 shift is fully paid off.
Then, in the next breath, Dayton referred to the policies which brought the improvements he had just touted as “failed experiments” and the “old order.” Those messages seemed to conflict.
I will keep you up to speed as things develop in St. Paul. The next economic forecast is due later this month and that will really kick-start budget work at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Paul