Redress of Grievances

The First Amendment to our US Constitution gets 'quoted' frequently, usually incorrectly, and often assigned to some nebulous idea about free speech that each person defines differently. But it is so much more than that:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Too many people have lost the content of those words, why they were put in place: to allow people to peacefully present their petitions to their government, as a group; to provide guidance to their elected representatives in a Constitutional Republic.That was the system the founders put in place - representational government in a federalist system that was meant to be responsive to those for whom they were speaking on behalf. It is NOT a democracy which is, as Benjamin Franklin stated, "two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch," but "a Republic Ma'am, if you can keep it."

The HR1 resolution was supposedly a 'statement to denounce violence' which all of us have already done but in the name of denouncing violence, they denounced our foundational principles. The language inaccurately included peaceful gatherings in St. Paul and those who spoke here, with the violence in DC, which is already illegal and denounced. They categorically refused to accurately present what occurred and even the nature of our political environment and structure despite repeated attempts to amend the language both in committee and on the House Floor. Unfortunately, it was yet another attempt at political grandstanding.

If you want to listen to my floor comments in their entirety, you can find them here: Rep. Bahr's Floor Speech on HR1

Gov Walz Proposes $52.4 Billion Budget

Governor Tim Walz rolled out his budget proposals for Minnesota’s 2022-2023 biennial budget. The two-year budget totals $52.4 billion. In his budget, the Governor proposed significant tax increases and spending increases. The members of the New House Republican Caucus offered their reaction.

For nearly a year, the Governor’s executive orders have crushed the livelihoods of working Minnesotans. Now, his abuse continues with job-killing tax increases. Governor Walz simply wants more money for government. However, government has not suffered at all during this pandemic. Government workers have all kept their jobs while the private sector has been decimated. The hypocrisy is unbelievable.

Specifically, the Governor’s proposed tax increases include an increase in the corporate franchise tax from 9.8% to 11.25%, and the creation of a new income tax bracket.

The Governor shut down our economy for months. He unilaterally prevented individuals and businesses from working hard and turning a profit. Now he wants to take even more money from us? The Governor should be empowering Minnesotans, not creating further economic problems.

Additionally, the budget proposal includes tax increases on capital gains and dividend income. To increase our state budget to a record $52.4 billion is beyond irresponsible. Government should cut spending and save money just like Minnesotans have had to do during these tough economic times. Frankly, Governor Walz proves again and again that he is deeply out of touch with Minnesota.

The previous biennial budget signed into law by Governor Walz was $48 billion.

The Governor is practicing a bastardized economic theory. Keynesian theory says that in an economic downturn, the government should step in and spend to shorten and minimize the downturn. But Keynesian theory also says that after the downturn, government should step back. That part NEVER happens. The last few years have seen government coffers overflow; yet that wasn’t enough. The state still borrowed and spent. The Governor’s increased taxation of Minnesotans will only add to the economic problems that exist today. Continuing to dampen down the economy only prolongs the agony and stifles the innovation necessary to recover. Governor Walz clearly did not teach economics class.

https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/Caucus/View/NR/43899

Choose Freedom,

Cal Bahr
State Representative, 31B

Coming up Next Week

• Hearings in both Commerce and Transportation have finally moved into legislation.

Contact:

If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my office. We are still attempting to provide regular contact remotely so if you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Barbara, at barbara.smith@house.mn.

Watch the Minnesota House on Public TV

Video: Streaming Website. Also you can watch committees and Floor Sessions on YouTube.