CHAPTER 8: Remember When Republicans Worked to Cut Taxes?

The four conservative Representatives in the New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) proposed $2 billion of tax cuts as part of their budget plan to cut 12.8 percent from the $49.5 billion spending spree proposed by Governor Tim Walz.

The NHRC’s $2 billion tax cut would be included with their plan to slash $6.332 billion from the Democrats’ plans.

$2 BILLION FOR TAX RELIEF AND REFORM

The conservative plan shifts about $2 billion from reserve funds to finance a series of reforms and tax relief.  It would take $1 billion from a $2 billion reserve fund, as well as the anticipated $1.052 billion from the surplus announced in the February budget forecast last Thursday.

A ONE-YEAR HOLIDAY FROM LICENSE PLATE TABS:  The NHRC plan would waive fees for vehicular license tabs for one year.  This would save money for the taxpayers.

SOLVING THE MNLARS SCANDAL:  The NHRC plan would dedicate funds to purchasing the best available systems from other states to automate the dispensation of driver’s licenses and vehicle titles.

SAVING THE DEPUTY REGISTRARS:  A network of private companies distributes license plate tabs, vehicle titles, and driver’s licenses across the state.  These deputy registrars have been crippled by the MNLARS scandal.  The NHRC plan would dedicate funds to revive these outlets across Minnesota with the new technologies from other states.

$895 MILLION TO END THE “SICK TAX” ON EVERY PATIENT:  for a quarter of a century, all patients have had to pay a two-percent sick tax on every medical service they received.  That tax expires this year.  The NHRC plan would keep the Legislature from renewing the tax.

TAX RELIEF FOR FARMRS AND SMALL BUSINESSES:  The NHRC plan would dedicate $222 million to allowing farmers and other employers to deduct the full cost of machinery and equipment during its first year of service, in conformity with federal law.

$842 MILLION TO ELIMINATE THE STATE RAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY:  The NHRC plan would eliminate the state income tax collected on Social Security benefits.

$33.2 MILLION TO MAKE “TIPS” TAX FREE:  The NHRC plan would waive the income tax on gratuities paid to workers.

$167 MILLION TO LOWER INHERITANCE TAXES TO FEDERAL LEVELS:  The NHRC plan would lower state inheritance taxes to levels that conform with federal law.

$108 MILLION FOR RENTERS’ TAX RELIEF:  The NHRC plan will increase the tax credit for renters by adjusting the tax rate to reflect the actual portion of their rent which helps to pay property taxes for landlords.

Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa), Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel), Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg), and Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal) still remember that tax money and surpluses are still your money.

Chapter 7: NHRC goes after $100 million of Child Care Fraud

Conservative House Republicans today responded to a report on the fraud-plagued Minnesota Child-Care Assistance Program (“CCAP”) with requests for federal investigations, the firing of the state Investigator General overseeing the program, the creation of an independent watchdog office for taxpayers, and a new approach to child care services in the state.

“The child-care rip-off is the biggest scandal in Minnesota history, and the state government cannot even tell us how much has been stolen,” said Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa).  “We need action on every front.”

The New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) responded to a report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor (“OLA”) which admitted that millions of dollars have been stolen from the CCAP program but could not begin to assess the massive theft from taxpayers.

The OLA report quoted a whistle-blower who wrote that both the Supervisor and Manager of the anti-fraud unit inspecting CCAP “believe that the overall fraud rate in this program is at least 50 percent of the $217 million paid to child care centers in 2017.”

1.  CALL FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS:  The four conservative Republicans announced they are asking federal investigators from the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Human Services, and the United States Attorney for Minnesota to investigate and prosecute what is alleged to be over $100 million per year of fraud in CCAP.

“We have contacted Attorney General William P. Barr, U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald in Minneapolis, and DHS Inspector Daniel R. Levinson to get them on the case,” said Rep. Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg).  “Because much of the CCAP money comes from Washington, this should be a federal case.”

The legislators are also asking the federal Department of Homeland Security to investigate media reports that suitcases filled with up to $1 million each have been carried through the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport to Somalia or the Middle East by persons allegedly linked to CCAP providers.  The request will be for a list of the names, addresses and destinations of travelers leaving the country from Minnesota who signed a form to export at least $10,000 in cash.

2.  CUT PORK, CAN HAM: “The watchdog over CCAP fraud has been sleeping on the porch for years,” said Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel).  “Governor Tim Walz should ask for the resignation of Minnesota DHS Inspector General Carolyn Ham today.  If she does not resign, he should fire her.”

The OLA report showed that prosecutors had many problems with the DHS investigators under Ham.  Film to prove centers were charging for dozens of children who did not attend centers on a given day was inconclusive because cameras were not filming every door at centers.  Financial analysis was sometimes not performed by accountants or Certified Fraud Examiners.  Investigations would drag on for years before detectives would consult prosecutors when communication is crucial in building cases and assessing evidence.

3.  CREATE INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG ON WELFARE: “We cannot trust oversight of scandal-plagued programs from the Department of Human Services to an inspector general who reports to political bosses at DHS,” said Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal)

The group will work to establish an independent Bureau of the Public Trust to inspect all the books of welfare-related programs such as CCAP and Medical Assistance which have experienced several hundred million dollars of fraud and abuse to the taxpayers.

“We need an independent auditor to serve the goal of fiscal responsibility and the needs of both the taxpayers and the program recipients,” Rep. Munson said.

4.  STOP THE CRIMES AND THE CRIMINALS:  The NHRC members outlined their plans for a sweeping bill to end the crime spree on child care programs. “These may seem like band-aids, but they will help to stop the bleeding,” said Rep. Bahr.

The bill will:

·          make child care fraud a specific crime with criminal and civil penalties;

·         make fraud a crime that is not repeated with a life-time welfare ban for convicts;

·         require future child care providers to buy a bond to repay any subsequent fraud;

·         ban care providers from programs if they do not cooperate with investigators;

·         require DHS to hire an independent firm to check recipients for eligibility;

·         ban all forms of benefits for persons convicted of child care fraud and;

·         bar parents of recipient children from working at child care centers.

5.  GET RID OF CCAP AS WE KNOW IT: “If you wanted a design to steal money from taxpayers. CCAP would be the perfect blueprint,” said Rep. Drazkowski.  “You cannot prove who is actually served, you cannot verify the people who are being helped, and there is no independent oversight of the payments and services.”

To take CCAP’s place, the NHRC will streamline and simplify the other five child care programs operated by the state.  For adults who want to look after children in their neighborhood, the rules need to be easier to follow and understand.  Legal barriers should be lowered.

To fight corruption, subsidies should not be paid to providers.  They should be paid to working parents and parents in job-training programs.  The parents can then pay the care-takers.

“We can design better programs with more accountability, flexibility and fairness, not just to recipients and providers but to the hardworking people of Minnesota who go to work every day and don’t get any child care benefits,” Rep. Bahr said. 

“We want working parents to have access to quality and affordable child care,” said Rep. Miller.  “We can do that by cutting regulations, empowering parents, and protecting taxpayers.”

Chapter 6: NHRC RELEASES CONSERVATIVE BUDGET PLAN FOR MINNESOTA IN 2020-2021

ST. PAUL – – The four conservative Republican members of the New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) today released their proposal for state spending in the next two years.

They proposed spending 12.8 percent less than the bloated budget proposal offered by Governor Tim Walz late last month.  It would cut $6.332 billion from the Governor’s $49.5 billion plan.  The conservative plan would also spend 4.8% less than the current base budget projection for the state.

Although the conservatives do not expect their proposal to get a hearing in the Democrat-controlled House, they offered the plan to show that there are a few voices of restraint in the “credit card carnival at the Capitol.”

“If you plan to lead the state in the future, you have to show voters that there is an alternative to big spending today,” said Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa).  Drazkowski is the NHRC’s Minority leader.

The NHRC plan makes almost no cuts from current projected spending levels for K-12 education, public safety, agriculture, transportation, capital projects, and debt service.

$2 BILLION FOR TAX RELIEF AND REFORM

The conservative plan shifts about $2 billion from reserve funds to finance a series of reforms and tax relief.  It would take $1 billion from a $2 billion reserve fund, as well as the anticipated $1.052 billion from the surplus announced in the February budget forecast last Thursday.

A ONE-YEAR HOLIDAY FROM LICENSE PLATE TABS:  The NHRC plan would waive fees for vehicular license tabs for one year.  This would save money for the taxpayers.

SOLVING THE MNLARS SCANDAL:  The NHRC plan would dedicate funds to purchasing the best available systems from other states to automate the dispensation of driver’s licenses and vehicle titles.

SAVING THE DEPUTY REGISTRARS:  A network of private companies distributes license plate tabs, vehicle titles, and driver’s licenses across the state.  These deputy registrars have been crippled by the MNLARS scandal.  The NHRC plan would dedicate funds to revive these outlets across Minnesota with the new technologies from other states.

$895 MILLION TO END THE “SICK TAX” ON EVERY PATIENT:  for a quarter of a century, all patients have had to pay a two-percent sick tax on every medical service they received.  That tax expires this year.  The NHRC plan would keep the Legislature from renewing the tax.

TAX RELIEF FOR FARMRS AND SMALL BUSINESSES:  The NHRC plan would dedicate $222 million to allowing farmers and other employers to deduct the full cost of machinery and equipment during its first year of service, in conformity with federal law.

$842 MILLION TO ELIMINATE THE STATE RAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY:  The NHRC plan would eliminate the state income tax collected on Social Security benefits.

$33.2 MILLION TO MAKE “TIPS” TAX FREE:  The NHRC plan would waive the income tax on gratuities paid to workers.

$167 MILLION TO LOWER INHERITANCE TAXES TO FEDERAL LEVELS:  The NHRC plan would lower state inheritance taxes to levels that conform with federal law.

$108 MILLION FOR RENTERS’ TAX RELIEF:  The NHRC plan will increase the tax credit for renters by adjusting the tax rate to reflect the actual portion of their rent which helps to pay property taxes for landlords.

THE SPENDING DETAILS

NO CUTS IN K-12 EDUCATION:  The NHRC plan does not cut any current funding for public schools.  .  It did reject the Governor’s proposal to throw an extra $732 million at classrooms that are failing so many students.

“We have good schools in most of the state,” said Rep. Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg).  “That is why we are not cutting schools.  But you cannot just through almost $1 billion at new programs with no expectation of improvements.”

NO CUTS IN TRANSPORTATION:  The NHRC plan does not cut any current funding for transportation.  It did reject the Governor’s proposal to spend an extra $76.5 million on new expansions of the program.

NO CUTS IN AGRICULTURE:  The NHRC plan does not cut any current funding for agricultural programs.  It did reject the Governor’s plan to expand farm spending by $8.8 million.

NO CUTS IN DEBT SERVICE:  The NHRC did not cut current projections for payments on the public debt.  “You cannot avoid paying for past debts,” said Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel).  “But you have to be cautious about running up new debts.”

The NHRC plan did reject the Governor’s demand for $77.6 million more for payments on new bonding projects.

NO CUTS IN CAPITAL PROJECTS:  The NHRC plan is the same as the current budget for capital projects so that building can be completed in the next two years.

NO CUTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE COURTS:  The NHRC matched the current spending levels forecast for law enforcement and the judicial branch.  “We have to keep our promise to enforce the law and protect people’s rights,” Rep. Drazkowski said.

$2 BILLION IN CUTS FOR HHS:  “Our biggest cut was $2 billion from the Governor’s bloated request for Health and Human Services spending,” said Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal).  “We must put these programs on a sustainable basis that we can afford.”

Part of the HHS savings will come with the elimination of the scandal-plagued Child Care Assistance program (“CCAP”) and the consolidation of the other five child care programs run by the state.  Up to $100 million may have been stolen form the CCAP bureaucracy, which will be the focus of a study by the Office of the Legislative Auditor next week.

Another part of the HHS savings will come with reductions of state spending on the Medicaid program.  “With the federal share of those costs shrinking, we have to plan for a smaller role for the state’s taxpayers,” Rep. Munson said.  “Cost controls through market-driven approaches and newer forms of competition will be the key if we are going to control expenses.”

$188 MILLION CUT FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID TO BIG CITIES:  The NHRC plan will reduce Local Government Aid payments to cities of the first class by limiting their per capita payments to the average per capita payment of all other cities.

$330 MILLION CUT FROM STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:  The NHRC plan would cut about a third of Governor Walz’s $1.2 billion request for state bureaucracies.

$187 MILLION CUT FROM COMMERCE, LABOR, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:  The NHRC plan would cut or reduce a variety of small agencies and bureaucracies from the Governor’s budget proposal.

$217 MILLION CUT FROM HIGHER EDUCATION:  The NHRC plan proposed a 6.3 percent cut in the Governor’s $3.43 billion demand for higher education.

ONE-PERCENT CUT FROM NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT:  The NHRC plan would cut $3.4 million from the Governor’s $362 million request.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH:  “Government is 50 times bigger and more repressive than it was 50 years ago, but it is not 50 times better,” said Rep. Bahr.

“One of the key promises made by our new caucus was frugality in state spending,” said Rep. Drazkowski.  “By cutting the Governor’s budget proposal by 12.8 percent and providing $2 billion of tax reform and relief, we are keeping that promise.”

Chapter 5: New House Republican Caucus pushes for reforms so you can understand new laws

The New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) is working to make it easier for legislators, governors, judges, and citizens to understand the bills that were being proposed to become laws.

In 1857, Minnesota’s first Constitution said “No law may embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title.”  When we renewed our Constitution in 1974, we repeated that requirement.

That made sense.  People could read a bill’s title to get the general idea.  Then they could read the bill and understand what was at stake.

This “Single Subject Rule” worker for about 120 years.  The Minnesota Supreme Court regularly struck down bills that had complex titles and included more than one subject.

But the Legislature is always trying to confuse people and push the limits.  Starting in the mid-1980s, the courts started to allow the Legislature to get away with shenanigans.

That came to a peak last year, when State Auditor Rebecca Otto sued the Republican Legislature for burying a provision in a complex bill.  The provision allowed counties to hire an independent auditor to make sure their books were balanced.  That is not a bad idea, but it violated the Single Subject Rule.

However, the Supreme Court held that, if a bill’s title had the magic words “government operations” and if at least parts of the bill actually dealt with any things that could be described as operations of government, then the bill could stand.

This has led to terrible results.  Former Governor Mark Dayton repeatedly said he had signed complex bills that he did not understand.

Last year, the Republican Legislature gave representatives only four hours to read the 1,000-page “Omnibus Prime” bill that included provisions from hundreds of bills that they could not follow before they had to vote on it.

In 1973-74, the Legislature passed 1,366 bills into law on a variety of subjects.  In the last two years, all the bills got rolled into just 189 bills.  Government is 50 times bigger, but it is not 50 times better.

To revive the Single Subject Rule, Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel) offered House File 986.  Voters would be asked in 2020 to add two provisions to the Minnesota Constitution.

First, no bill’s title could be changed after it is introduced.  What you read is what you get.

Second, to keep the courts from worrying about a government shut down if they struck down an appropriations bill because of the Single Subject Rule, all existing programs in the bill would be continued at 95 percent of its previous level from the prior two years.

Nine Republicans and nine Democrats have joined Rep. Bahr’s bill as co-authors.

“If people are expected to obey the law, they should be able to watch and understand the legislative process,” Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa) said.  “If governors are expected to enforce the laws, they should be able to understand what they are signing.”

“Guiding a society of five million Minnesotans requires a delicate balance between personal liberty and societal responsibility,” said Rep. Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg).  “Opening the legislative process to citizen eyes and citizen voices will help the voters to see whether we are striking that right balance.”

“You cannot challenge leadership if you cannot see what they are doing in the closing hours of action,” said Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal).  “Leaders can be more persuasive if the citizens can watch their hands while they are moving the cards.”

The NHRC is on the right track in pursuing government transparency and the Single Subject Rule.  Transparency is about restoring public trust in the Legislature, in our government, and in Minnesota. 

There can be no faith in government if our highest politicians are exempt from scrutiny. Those leaders should set the example for transparency.

We need more citizen eyes on the Legislature to root out corruption, to combat inefficiency, and to stop bad ideas.

When the Legislature has to answer to the public, its performance will improve.  People need to see what is going on here.  The New Republicans are working for change.

Chapter 4: The New House Republican Caucus Stands Up For The Second Amendment

The four conservative House members of the New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) introduced the 14 key words of the Second Amendment as a proposal for voters in 2020 to add to the Minnesota Constitution.

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

That is the whole text of House File 1334 by Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel). 

He was joined by the four other conservative Republicans in the NHRC:  Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa), Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg) and Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal).

Out of the 137 House members, they have been joined by only three other House Republicans:  Eric Lucero (Dayton), John Poston (Lake Shore), and Steve Green (Fosston).

Ask your Republican why he or she is not a co-author of the Second Amendment in House File 1334.

“None of your other rights matter if you do not have the right to live and be free,” said Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa).  “The federal constitution and recent U.S. Supreme Court holdings have confirmed that this is the individual right of citizens.  We need to incorporate that right in Minnesota’s Constitution.”

The proposed amendment would read:  “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

That differs from the Second Amendment to the federal Constitution which reads:  “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”

“The reference to a well-regulated Militia in the federal Constitution was disregarded by the Supreme Court when it held that the right to keep and bear arms was an individual right that belonged to private citizens,” said Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal).  “For that reason, our proposal is shorter and more direct.”

“The Second Amendment is the one guarantee with enough teeth to ensure that the government respects all our other rights.” Said Rep. Miller. “If you cannot defend your other rights, they are just privileges that the government can take away.”

“The phrase ’shall not be infringed’ has to mean something,” Rep. Drazkowski said.  “Freedom means freedom.”

The Second Amendment protects both the person and the free society from the evil deeds by an individual, the mob, or the state.

Government is always ready to test its strength against the people. Guns are the vitamins that give people some muscle in that struggle.

Background checks lead to data bases. Data bases lead to registration. Registration leads to confiscation. Confiscation leads to horror.

Civil wars happen when the victims of society are given arms. Genocide happens when victims are denied arms. Stability happens when the majority knows the minorities are armed.

Gun control will not keep you safe. They confiscated almost all the guns in London, and now that city leads the world in knife murders.

If you want to get dangerous instruments out of the hands of unstable people, shouldn’t we start with a ban on keyboards and Twitter accounts?

Chapter 3: The New House Republican Caucus stands up for “Free Speech”

Under the Minnesota Constitution, only journalists and some politicians and have a guarantee of “free speech” in the Minnesota Constitution.

Legislators can say what they want on the Floor under the “speech and debate” protection of Article IV, Section 10.

Under the “liberty of the press,” journalists “may freely speak, write, and publish their sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right” under Article I, Section 3.

But regular citizens do not have a right of free speech under the Minnesota Constitution.  It was left out when the original Constitution was drafted in 1857.  It was left out again when it was re-written in 1974.

That is why the New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) introduced a bill that would give voters the chance to decide if “free speech” would be added to the Minnesota Constitution.

The bill is House File 676.  It was introduced by Reps. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal), Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa), Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg), and Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel).

Out of 197 other Senators and Representatives, they have been joined by only six other House Republicans:  Peggy Bennett (Albert Lea), Nolan West (Blaine), John Poston (Lake Shore), Eric Lucero (Dayton), Peggy Scott (Andover), and John Heinrich (Anoka).

Conservatives should ask their Republican legislators why they are not on HF 676!

Never before was your right of free speech been under greater threat in Minnesota than it is today.  “Snowflake” students are demanding “safe zones” on college campuses where they are protected from hearing thoughts with which they disagree.

Last month, a Legislative Committee permitted advocates of the no-cell-phone legislation bring big posters to the witness table at a hearing where opponents of bills had been banned for decades from expressing their opinions with posters.

One judge says that protestors can disrupt the Mall of America with Black Lives Matter disruptions.  Another judge writes that free speech can be banned on the same private property.

Opponents of school referendums are discouraged, while supporters are encouraged.  Speakers with one set of values are welcomed at state colleges, while speakers on the other side face exorbitant “police security” deposits.

Why do we need to include “free speech” in the Minnesota Constitution?

Many types of free speech and writing do not qualify as journalism.  Private speech such as diaries r two-person texts are not protected as journalism.  Artistic speech such as satirical plays and inflammatory posters are not protected by the liberty of the press.

Community actions such as pickets and sit-ins are not shielded exercises of media freedom.  Symbolic speech such burning the flag or draft cards are not promised by free press guarantee.

Fashion speech such as wearing armbands or flags is unprotected by free press guarantees.  Commercial speech such as adult entertainment is not an exercise of the free press.

“Free speech is essential to democracy,” said Rep. Drazkowski.  “If the Minnesota Constitution includes at least 40 guarantees of liberty from the federal Constitution, then Minnesota should also include the individual’s right to free speech.”

The time is right for a discussion of free speech, which is under attack on many fronts.  Many people call it “hate speech” when they disagree with someone.  Writers are being censored or banned on many social media platforms.  Strong opinions are being blocked at colleges and other public forums because some people are demanding “safe zones.”

“As a leading advocate for transparency in both government and politics, I think we should guarantee the right for unpopular opinions to be heard,” said Rep. Bahr.  “Bring opinions out into sunlight.  Let people decide to ignore them, reject them, or respond.”

Having a “free speech” guarantee in both the federal and Minnesota Constitutions will spur judges to grant faster action in emergency situations.

If a local school board seeks to ban flyers for a rally against an up-coming referendum, a state court may move faster in granting a decision based on both federal and state guarantees.

“If people disagree with what you think, they try to ban it as hate speech, defamation, or unsuitable for safe spaces, “said Rep. Munson.  “We need to show that Minnesotans can say what they think.”

 “It figures that the only type of speech protected in the Minnesota Constitution is speech by politicians and journalists,” said Rep. Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg).  “It is time to protect the rights of every-day citizens.”

You should ask your legislators to sign up for “free speech” as a co-author on HF 676.

Chapter 2: The First Skirmish for the New House Republican Caucus

On January 9, the New House Republican Caucus showed its commitment to standing up for conservative values. They stood up for us.

The four Representatives were in the Capitol news conference room when the Democrats released their “Top Ten Bills” for 2019.  Then the conservative caucus hit back hard.

“The Democrats are coming for our freedoms, our money, our guns, and our kids,” said Rep. Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg).

COMING FOR OUR KIDS

When reporters asked him how the DFL planned to take Minnesota’s children, Rep. Miller noted that the Democrats had just introduced House File 1 by Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (Democrat-Eden Prairie).

THREE YEARS OF HOME INVASIONS BY GOVERNMENT:  The bill first would spend $64 million over the next two years to send “culturally or ethnically targeted” inspectors into the homes of every child from birth until age three to evaluate the families’ efforts to prepare the children for school.  The services would continue in the home until the child reached age three.  In future years, funding would be expanded to $113 million per biennium.

$44 MILLION FOR CHILD CARSE “SCHOLARSHIPS” FOR BABIES:  After $100 million of fraud was tied to the $200 million Child Care Aid Program (“C-CAP”), the Governor asked to add another $44 billion in spending.  This bill will give day-care scholarships to low-income babies from their date of birth.

$10 MILLION TO TELL PREGNANT WOMEN OF COLOR TO GET PRENATAL CARE:  The bill would fund grants to local groups to advise pregnant women of color to get “high quality pre-natal care.”

MORE SUBSIDIES FOR FRAUD:  The bill also $10 million of start-up costs to encourage more businesses to sign up as day-care centers in the fraud-wracked C-CAP program.

Rep. Miller also told reporters that he was concerned about the Democrats’ House File 2 by Rep. Heather Edelson (Democrat-Edina)

MORE PILLS FOR PUPILS:  The bill would provide $10.2 million to add more mental health services for emotionally disturbed students.

MORE SHRINKS FOR PUPILS:  The bill would add $12.1 million to hire more school psychologists, social workers, chemical dependency workers, nurses, and counsellors.

MORE SCHOOLS AS MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS:  The bill would add $30 million to convert schools into “full service community schools” that combine classrooms with mental health centers.

COMING FOR OUR GUNS

The conservative Republicans attacked two bills in the Democrats’ “Top Ten List” that were aimed at confiscating the guns of law-abiding citizens.

They attacked House File 9 by Rep. Ruth Richardson (Democrat-Mendota Heights) (“red flag orders”).

DEAD AT YOUR DOORWAY:  The bill would allow local prosecutors or police officials to tell a judge they had reason to believe law-abiding citizens could be a danger to others. 

Without telling the owners about the request or giving them a chance to disagree, the judge would issue a “red flag order” to local law enforcement.  To catch gun owners off guard, police would pound on the door before dawn to seize all firearms in the house.

“Five people reportedly have been killed in other states when they answered the door with a gun in their hands,” said Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa).  “Sooner or later, law enforcement officers will die during these raids.  And there will be no due process behind the orders.

They also attacked House File 8 by Rep. Dave Pinto (Democrat-St. Paul) (background checks required for every transfer or sale).

MAKING CRIMINALS OUT OF LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS:  If you loan a legal gun to a daughter at her home after she was threatened by someone, and you do not call for a permit to transfer, you are a criminal.  If she gives it back the next day, and she does not call for a permit to transfer, she becomes a criminal.

“The problem about requiring universal background checks on every sale or loan of a gun between family and friends is that it starts a chain of government action,” said Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel). 

“Background checks lead to data bases, which lead to registration, which can end with confiscation.  The Second Amendment is about self-defense, not hunting or trap shooting.”

THE NEW REPUBLICAN ALTERNATIVES:  As will be discussed in later postings, Rep. Bahr offered House File 1334 which would allow voters to decide in 2020 whether the Minnesota Constitution should include the guarantee “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”  Rep. Drazkowski would also offer House File 268 to allow law abiding citizens to carry firearms without a permit.   This is also called “the constitutional carry” bill.

COMING FOR OUR MONEY

The Democrats’ list of “Top Ten” Bills included three expensive bills that would become part of the $50 billion budget proposal of Governor Tim Walz. 

MORE BAILOUTS FOR MINNCARE:  Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) offered House File 3 . It does not even have a price-tag for expanding the program to guarantee universal health care for people who do not pay for it.  The bill talks about health-care cost containment, but it has no specifics.

WE CAN CUT MEDICINE COSTS BY DRIVING UP THE COST OF MEDICINE:  House File 4 by Rep. John Lesch (Democrat-St. Paul) claims that it wants to drive down medicine costs by suing drug companies to get lower prices.  In the real world, we now that this would drive up medicine costs as companies passed along the price of lawyers, insurance, settlements, fines and other costs.

INTRNET FOR OUTHOUSES:  House File 7 by Rep. Rob Ecklund (Democrat-International Falls) would spend $70 million to provide high-speed internet service to every structure in Minnesota.  Such “border to border” schemes have failed miserably in the past.  And by the time every structure is connected, the technology will have changed.  Sometimes, a conservative just has to say “not this time.”

COMING FOR OUR FREEDOM TO WORK

The four conservatives also questioned three items on the DFL’s “TOP TEN LIST” of bills which would make it harder for Minnesotans to find work by driving up the cost for employers to hire workers because of insurance, legal fees, settlements, and fines from hundreds of new lawsuits.

“These bills should be a wake-up call for Main Street in Minnesota,” said Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal).  “The Democrats don’t just want to tax small businesses to death.  They will also sue and regulate you to death.”

House File 6 by Rep. Tim Mahoney (Democrat-St. Paul) would authorize government prosecutions and civil lawsuits every time a worker disagreed whether he had been paid every penny he expected.  Even the smallest businesses would be required to pay for overtime and benefits.  Under this bill, such disputes would be described as “wage theft” by the employer.

House File 5 by Rep. Laurie Halvorsen (Democrat-Eagan) would require even the smallest businesses to pay for Family and Medical Leave Act benefits for every worker.  A three-person operation would either have to decide whether to hire a part-time replacement or close its doors during such a leave.

House File 10 by Rep. Kelly Moller (Democrat Shoreview) would require even the smallest firm to pay for training, compliance, insurance, lawyers, settlements, and other costs for “sexual harassment” prevention.  Liability would hit employers even if the conduct is not “pervasive or severe.”

“- – –

Elections have consequences,” said Rep. Drazkowski.  “But nobody suspected how far the Democrats would stretch their mandate to try and change Minnesota forever.”

That day, the four conservatives spoke up for what they believed. They spoke for us.

– –

Chapter 1: A good start for Minnesota conservatives.

Four conservative Republicans in the Minnesota House got off to a good start when they launched the New House Republican Caucus (“NHRC”) two months ago.

Before we get into who they are and what they are doing, you might like to know what these four conservatives stand for.

Like the Declaration of Independence, their platform should bring hope to the hearts of conservatives who shake their heads at the cave-in philosophy of so many elected Republicans in Washington and St, Paul.

Here is what they said.

We are going to be free. We will defend and advance the liberties guaranteed to the individual in the Constitutions of the United States and Minnesota. Free people living with free will in a free land is the hallmark of our success.

We are going to be honest. We will act with public integrity when serving with the public trust. Abuse of that public trust will not be tolerated.

We are going to be open. We will be transparent in our legislative work. Individual citizens and fellow legislators should be able to view and understand how we are considering what should be the law of Minnesota. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, dissent should be welcomed in a process where reason is free to respond to dissent.

We are going to be frugal. We will advance the principle of fiscal responsibility in government. Every dollar taken from the individual for state spending is taken with the coercive force of government.

We are going to be brave. We will stand up for those who cannot defend themselves. We believe in the guidance of Abraham Lincoln that “government should only do what the people cannot do for themselves.” This includes the defense of the most powerless in our society.

We are going to be safe. We will defend the law-abiding people from all enemies foreign, domestic, governmental and private.

Now, that is a pretty good start for any bunch of conservatives. Next, we will see what these four conservatives are doing to live up to that Platform.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton