Friday, April 30th, 2021 --

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security”

Of course, this is an excerpt from The Declaration of Independence.  While reading it, I can feel the sentiment of exhaustion of tyrannical rule that our founding fathers must have felt when they declared the original 13 states to be independent of British rule.  These words had tremendous meaning on July 4th, 1776 and I sincerely hope they still hold tremendous meaning to you all today. 

We have lived for 413 days under the thumb of a tyrant. Our Government has failed to end the Emergency powers of Governor Walz. Instead, they are focused on passing the largest budget in our states history, and the DFL will let nothing stand in their way. We must call upon the Republican controlled senate to stand strong!

You can watch my weekly video update below.

Never Again, It's Not a Recommendation

My Never Again bill is gaining traction in the Senate. Just this week I picked up an additional co-sponsor in the Senate; Senator Rich Draheim. This past Thursday the Senate Majority Leader even held a press conference to discuss priorities with the conference committees. For the first time this year he has uttered the words “Chapter 12 Reform”. This is good news but we have to make sure he isn’t just paying lip service to your cries for change. What we must all be demanding from Senator Paul Gazelka, and every other state senator, is for them to refuse to pass a state budget until Walz’ emergency powers are ended AND the Never Again bill has become law.

Refusing to make deals with Democrats on the budget is the last bargaining chip we have to end Walz’ reign of tyranny.  If Senator Gazelka gives in to the woke mob, we all know we’ll be forced to live under one-man-rule indefinitely.

Freedom For Lisa; Freedom for Minnesota

By now you have probably already seen the news, Lisa Hanson, the owner of The Interstate Wine and Coffee Bistro, was arrested for refusing to follow Governor Walz unconstitutional Emergency Orders that closed bars and restaurants. Since March 10th Lisa has had a warrant for her arrest in the state of Minnesota. This week, thanks to Attorney General Keith Ellison, that warrant was expanded to include extradition back to Minnesota from the surrounding states. In a statement from the Freeborn Sheriff's department, they admitted to surveillance operations with stake-outs, and even informants. Of course, while Governor Walz commanded her business closed under threat of imprisonment, every single Big Box store in the state was WIDE open for business.

Lisa is a wife, mother, and proud new grandmother, but like so many others this year she was presented with the difficult decision of what to do; listen to the Governor and his executive edicts or open her doors to feed her family, and workers. In December 2020 she made her choice, she chose the latter. Since the warrants were issued for her arrest, she has been in hiding to avoid having to serve jail time for opening her coffee shop. Unfortunately thanks to the new Orwellian world we live in it was ultimately her fellow neighbors who gave her up to the police.

This Saturday we are having a fundraiser for Lisa to help cover her Legal Defense funds. If you’re available please come to Fountain Lake Park in Albert Lea, MN this Saturday, May 1st from 2pm to 7pm.

Renter Assistance

RentHelpMN is Now Open for Applications for up to 15 months of taxpayer-funded rent, and utilities assistance.

The Minnesota Dept of Housing announced that RentHelpMN is now open and accepting applications. RentHelpMN makes it possible for eligible renters to request taxpayers' financial assistance to get caught up on overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020. It also makes provisions for those at risk of falling behind on rent payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note that RentHelpMN is in Phase One, in which people with past due rent who meet eligibility requirements are invited to apply. If you are a property owner with tenants behind on rent or utilities, please refer your tenants to this website to see if they qualify. If you are a landlord looking for assistance in unpaid back rent please click HERE to see if you qualify. 

To apply for RentHelpMN, please visit renthelpmn.org or call 211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff to answer questions about RentHelpMN, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Visit renthelpmn.org to learn more about the program and eligibility requirements and to apply.

Remember if you want to be politically respected you must be politically feared,

Erik Mortensen 

State Representative, 55A

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.