LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM
REP. CAL BAHR - DISTRICT 31B
Friday, December 24th, 2021 --
Happy New Years to you and your families, and what a year it has been! It is hard to believe that less than 6 months ago mask mandates were still in effect across the state and in our schools. Governor Walz was still drunk on power usurping legislative autonomy from the House for his own game. While we were successful in curtailing his authority no legislative action to ensure this does not happen again has taken place.
Aside from the gross abuses of power we have seen from Governor Walz, the legislature was able to push through some good legislation at reeling back government authority. My caucus was successfully able to pass legislation that enforces laws on the book that make it illegal for a legislator to be on the payroll of lobbying firms. While this is already illegal in the state, multiple legislators on both sides of the aisle receive huge paychecks from out-of-state firms to help push their agendas. This is a direct erosion of our republic and shows a complete lack of care for their constituents; they put money over people.
Additionally this past year in the House transportation committee I have made significant strides at ending the southwest light rail. This has been a continual money pit for the state, throwing millions of taxpayer dollars at a failed project. Finally, after years of bringing attention to this issue, the House transportation committee is now looking at ways to kill the project and find better ways to invest the money. The reality is that train ridership is down in this state, and across the country. The reason is not only the prevalence of lines that are convenient but also safety. This past year the metro lines have lowered the cost to ride, and most passengers who still use the metro lines say that safety is their number one concern. Instead of spending more money, we need to find ways to improve what we already have.
While it is hard to believe all that has happened this past year we can look forward to 2022 with some optimism. With midterm elections Republicans have a chance to help restore sanity; just like in Virginia. This isn’t a pie in the sky, it's achievable. The stakes couldn't be higher. For many their way of life is at stake, the ability to run their own business, continue working where they are, and bodily autonomy from an experimental vaccine. 2021 has shown us why 2022 is such an important year.
Choose Freedom,
Cal Bahr
State Representative, 31B
Contact:
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my office or me. If you have other needs, please email my Legislative Assistant, Grayson, at Grayson.mcnew@house.mn.
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