SW Minnesota Today

The Minnesota court system has recently addressed legislation passed two years ago when the state government was under the leadership of Governor Walz and a Democratic majority in the legislature.

Rep. Marj Fogelman (R-Worthington) criticized the legislative process used at that time, specifically referring to large omnibus bills containing numerous provisions. She said, “I have long complained about the legislative practice of putting dozens, if not hundreds of provisions into one bill and telling lawmakers to vote yes or no on it. The bill likely includes several things you like and several you don’t, and you are torn whether to support it. Two years ago, the DFL majority slapped a 1,400-page omnibus bill on our desks near the end of session and told us to enjoy it, as they had the votes to approve it and really didn’t care what we thought about it.”

A Ramsey County judge recently invalidated a provision from that legislation related to gun regulations, specifically addressing changes to the definition of “trigger activator” for binary triggers. The decision cited a violation of Minnesota’s single subject clause. The judge stated: “But make no mistake, during the late hours of May 19, 2024, lawmaking did not ‘occur within the framework of the constitution.’ This Court respectfully suggests that if there has ever been a bill without a common theme and where ‘all bounds of reason and restraint seem to have been abandoned,’ this is it; and if there has ever been a time for the ‘draconian result of invalidating the entire law,’ that time is now.”

Fogelman expressed hope that this ruling would prompt an end to omnibus bills in Minnesota. She said these types of bills are not an effective way to legislate.

In another legal development concerning education policy, Fogelman reported that a federal judge struck down a law excluding religious institutions from participating in Minnesota’s Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program. She described this as “a win for religious liberty.” According to Fogelman: “There was little doubt at the time this was an attempt by the legislative majority and Governor Walz to discriminate against faith-based universities, which is unbelievable on so many levels. Thankfully a federal court has stopped this nonsense.”

Fogelman also noted her recent participation in a Chamber of Commerce meeting hosted by Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach in Windom. Local business owners, hospitals, and schools shared their concerns while Fischbach provided updates from Washington D.C.

Finally, Fogelman encouraged high school juniors interested in politics to apply for Minnesota House’s High School Page program.