State Fair poll shows steady support for gun sale background checks, recreational marijuana
Support for criminal background checks on all gun sales and the legalization of marijuana for recreational use appears to have remained steady among Minnesotans during the past 12 months.
The 2019 House of Representatives State Fair Poll found that 89.1% of respondents favored background checks on all gun sales, including private transactions and sales made at gun shows, down slightly from the 89.3% who answered yes to the same question on the 2018 poll.
A majority of polltakers also said they were in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana for people age 21 or older. Results show 56.3% of respondents answered yes, up very slightly from 56.2% the year before, while 33.8% registered opposition, compared with 33.9% the year before.
Conducted by the nonpartisan House Public Information Services Office, the poll is an informal, unscientific survey of issues discussed in prior legislative sessions and that may again be topics of discussion in 2020.
Those questions were two of 12 asked in the poll, which was taken by 11,239 fairgoers. Results also found solid support for issues related to metro transit funding, restoration of felon voting rights and a ban on so-called “conversion therapy” for children and vulnerable adults.
Session Daily
Nornes will not seek re-election in 2020 (1/28/2020 8:47:00 AM) Agriculture division discusses climate change at first 2020 hearing (1/27/2020 1:14:00 PM) Housing panel hears of issues facing Minnesota refugee communities (1/22/2020 2:05:00 PM) House, Senate leaders set 2020 committee deadlines (1/22/2020 1:19:00 PM) Governor proposes $2 billion bonding package for 2020 (1/15/2020 12:25:00 PM) Rep. Bob Gunther to retire at end of current House term (12/19/2019 9:57:00 AM) State lawmakers still stuck in efforts to reach solution to insulin crisis (12/18/2019 12:28:00 PM) Process reform subcommittee approves rules change recommendations (12/18/2019 12:22:00 PM) Lyndon Carlson, Minnesota’s longest-serving legislator, won't seek re-election (12/11/2019 1:32:00 PM) New budget forecast projects $1.3 billion state surplus (12/5/2019 3:52:00 PM) State's top DHS official pitches plan to rebuild trust in troubled department (12/2/2019 1:12:00 PM)
Photography
This week's slideshow,
photo gallery and
Capitol area images
Live Video
Event Schedule
WEDNESDAY: Session Daily Update
Wednesday, January 29 2020 1:55 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House
WEDNESDAY: Joint meeting of the House Corrections Division & House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance & Policy Division
Wednesday, January 29 2020 2:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Topic: The Future of Prison and Probation Funding.
Agenda:.
- Department of Corrections Discussion of Drivers of Prison and Probation Costs.
- Minnesota Association of Community Corrections Act Counties (MACCAC) and Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) Discussion of the Drivers of Probation Costs.
THURSDAY: Session Daily Update
Thursday, January 30 2020 12:55 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House
THURSDAY: House Housing Finance and Policy Division
Thursday, January 30 2020 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Informational overview from agencies and advocacy groups on the impact mental health conditions can have on individuals seeking secure and stable housing.
MONDAY: Session Daily Update
Monday, February 3 2020 12:55 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House
MONDAY: Joint meeting of the House Corrections Division & House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division
Monday, February 3 2020 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Topic: The Impact of Incarceration on Children and Families.
Agenda:.
- Research Presentation on the Impact of Incarceration on Children and Families.
- Testimony on the Impact of Incarceration on Children and Families.
- Report from the Children of Incarcerated Families Workgroup.
- Commissioners’ Reports and Preview of Proposals.
* This is a joint informational hearing of the Corrections Division and Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division.
* No official committee action will take place.
FEBRUARY 6: Session Daily Update
Thursday, February 6 2020 12:55 PM
Watch: Live Event
Updates from the House
FEBRUARY 6: House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Division
Thursday, February 6 2020 1:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
Minnesota's businesses leading on conservation and climate innovation.
The 2020 Regular Session of the Minnesota Legislature is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Tuesday, February 11 2020 12:00 PM
Watch: Live Event
House Floor Session.
News and Notes
The 2020 session is scheduled to begin Feb. 11, 2020. The Legislature will be in recess for the Easter/Passover break from April 4-13, 2020.
Special elections
Special elections to fill vacancies in Districts 30A and 60A will be held Feb. 4. The openings are due to the resignation of Rep. Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River) and death of Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls).
Not running again
The following members have announced they will not seek re-election in 2020: Rep. Hunter Cantrell (DFL-Savage), Rep. Lyndon Carlson Sr. (DFL-Crystal), Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont), Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL-New Brighton), Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul), Rep. Alice Mann (DFL-Lakeville), Rep. Duane Sauke (DFL-Rochester) and Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Mpls).
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For comparison
There were 2,921 House files introduced during the 2019 regular session; 2,722 in 2017; 2,379 in 2015; 1,862 in 2013; and 1,761 in 2011.