Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you’re having a great week. With the weekend almost here, I wanted to take a moment to send out a quick update with some news on a handful of issues from the Capitol.
Anoka and City of Ramsey Day at the Capitol
I wanted to give you a quick reminder that this coming Monday (February 18) I will be hosting “Anoka and City of Ramsey Day at the Capitol”. This is an opportunity for anyone from our communities to come to the Capitol to meet with me, share input and ask questions, experience the legislature firsthand, tour the Capitol and legislative office buildings, and learn more about the legislature and state government. I hope to see you there and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
To RSVP for this event please email me, call me, or visit the Facebook event page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/2270209896523786/
For full details on the event, please visit: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/news/15506/38195
Highway 10 Funding
My number one priority this legislative session is to provide funding for improvements and lane expansion for Highway 10. This is a very important project to our area and I have heard from countless people in our community about the need for improvements. Securing this funding is essential to Anoka County as it will reduce travel times, improve safety, and boost our local economy.
I am the chief author of a bill to provide the necessary funding to construct a third lane for Highway 10. I have been working with my legislative colleagues and staff on this legislation and am optimistic we can make it happen this year. Funding for Highway 10 is an issue that members of both parties can agree and find common ground on, and I am proud my bill has already earned the support of both Democrat and Republican coauthors. My bill was introduced last week and I will be sure to keep you in the loop on developments going forward.
Single Subject Bills
One of the bills I am coauthoring this year is legislation concerning single subject bills in the legislature. If passed, the proposed legislation would put the following question on the ballot in 2020 for Minnesota voters to decide on: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to strengthen the requirement that enacted laws contain only one subject? Yes or No.”
I believe bills voted on by the legislature should contain only one subject and I am proud to support this bill, which would propose this question to voters in the next election. In recent years, we’ve seen both parties use “omnibus” bills to do the bulk of lawmaking, which are huge bills covering countless topics and spanning hundreds or thousands of pages. Omnibus bills reduce transparency and accountability as they make it very difficult for the public to follow the process and know what’s being voted on. Another problem omnibus bills present is that good policies that everyone agrees on end up getting vetoed because they are included with other provisions a governor might find objectionable.
My concerns are shared by members of both parties in St. Paul and I am committed to working to bring an end to this practice. I believe this bill is a strong first step and a good way to go about doing it.
Pro-Life Bill
I am also coauthoring a pro-life bill which would allow women to view their ultrasound prior to an abortion, if an ultrasound is performed. The bill would require the physician performing the procedure to offer the woman the opportunity to view the active ultrasound image of the unborn child as it is being done. I am proud to support this bill, which will provide women full access to accurate medical information before an abortion – empowering them to make the best decisions. As an unwavering pro-life advocate, I am hopeful this reform will help women avoid regretful abortions and give more unborn children the chance at life they deserve.
With Steve and DeeDee Larson, who are strong pro-life advocates, during their visit to St. Paul this week.
Second Amendment Bill
Another bill I am coauthoring is one known as the “Stand Your Ground” bill to clarify Minnesota’s self-defense laws. This legislation would expand your right to use firearms to protect yourself when in danger in your own home. It would remove the ridiculous "duty to retreat" concept that requires Minnesotans to retreat from an attacker before defending themselves with force. I’m proud to always fully support the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners, and I believe Minnesotans should have the right to protect themselves and their families.
Please Contact Me
Please do not hesitate to contact me to share any questions or concerns you have on any legislative matter. You input and ideas help me to best represent our community in the legislature. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-1729 or by email at rep.john.heinrich@house.mn.
Sincerely,
John