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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Erik Mortensen (R)

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM REP. ERIK MORTENSEN- DISTRICT 55A

Saturday, January 9, 2021

Happy Holidays! I hope that everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Years even though Governor Walz thought it best to cancel Christmas. Hopefully everyone was still able to spend time with their friends and family.

These lockdowns have not been easy on anyone. We have seen the depression rate in our communities skyrocket along with a corresponding 50% spike in attempted suicides in Scott County. And then there’s the economic devastation that the lockdowns have had across Minnesota; forcing thousands of businesses closed and tens of thousands of people out of work.

We need to end these draconian lockdowns and put the power back in the hands of the people. We need to let restaurants, gym, and bar owners decide for themselves what to do with their own business’ not Walz and his unaccountable bureaucrats.

Mortensen quote

 

This Week in Review

This past week I took the oath of office to represent the people of district 55A, but also to uphold and defend the constitution. Not more than 30 minutes later I proved to the establishment that I am not here to play their political games but that I'm here fighting for...YOU!

We cannot allow these unconstitutional lockdowns to continue any longer. We need to open our schools for our kids, we need to start allowing them to play sports again – mask free, we need restaurants and businesses to operate freely without the threat of Governor Walz or his henchman, Attorney General, Keith Ellison.

That is why I tried to force a vote in the House on DAY 1 to End Walz Emergency powers.

To no surprise the Democrats refused to even vote on the resolution! They were too concerned with towing the party line to realize the damage they were allowing to be perpetrated. To obstruct my efforts, the Speaker of the House flat out ignored the rules of the House chamber.

I have already submitted the Resolution AGAIN to be introduced on the floor this coming Monday.

First Day of Session

Coming up Next Week

Next week will be a busy one. Not only am I introducing the Resolution to End Walz’ Emergency powers but I will be introducing a few bills.

  • The first will be to suspend pay for the Governor and the Legislature when executive orders force private businesses closed. If the Governor and the Legislature can take your paycheck away, there’s should be taken away too.
  • The second will be a piece of legislation to forbid the suspension of occupational or business licensing due to noncompliance with an executive order. Restaurant owners that have been brave enough to open their doors in defiance of Governor Walz shouldn't have to fear losing their license for trying to keep a roof over their head and feed their families.
  • The third piece of legislation removes the absurd rules on Minnesota’s breweries as to who they can sell to and in what size bottle or can they can sell their product in. There won’t likely be another bill in the Minnesota House this entire year that promotes a free market more than this bill.  When a brewery has a product consumers want, they should be able to sell it to them.  Does it get more common sense than this?

Contact

If you have any questions, 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, Grayson, at Grayson.mcnew@house.mn.

Watch the Minnesota House on Public TV

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