A state representative raised concerns about the speed at which Democrats are pushing bills through the Minnesota Legislature on this week’s episode of Liz Collin Reports.
“I’ve never seen anything like this before. They are just pushing through as many things as they possibly can as quickly as they possibly can,” said Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia.
He called it a “distressing” start to the legislative session. Two major pieces of legislation — one on abortion, and the other on carbon-free electricity — were rushed through the committee process with limited time for public input, according to Republicans. Both passed the Minnesota Legislature and were signed into law in the first month of the session.
These frustrations were aired by Rep. Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, during a committee hearing last week on the DFL’s bill to legalize recreational marijuana.
Tensions rise in the Minnesota legislature as Republican Rep. Jon Koznick points out that Democrats are rushing through controversial bills without vetting them or giving proper time for testimony. pic.twitter.com/Eqd0wgNndi
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) February 3, 2023
“Yesterday, during debate on House File 100, I spoke about the frustration we have been feeling during the first month of the legislative session as House Democrats have been pushing bills through committees with limited debate and discussion about legislation,” Koznick said in a statement.
“We are a deliberative body, and the Majority should welcome discussion and debate on bills. Instead, they have stifled discussion to move as fast as they can. Many of these bills are extremely consequential to the future of Minnesota and they deserve our full attention. Robust conversations and the consideration of amendments is an important part of committee hearings and floor proceedings,” he added.
Some public testifiers have observed this trend as well.
“Because of the speed with which this bill is passing throughout the legislature, it’s simply not possible for people to get notice of the hearing and prepare adequately for the testimony,” pro-life attorney Teresa Collett said during a hearing last month on the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act.
Nash said the PRO Act is the “most extreme abortion law in the country.”
“It puts us in parity with North Korea and China with their abortion positions,” Nash said. “Sadly, this is not their (DFL) last abortion bill. That was HF1, HF91 is coming. It’s going to be even worse. It removes any restriction that has been on abortion at all. Not only is it late term, but it can also be post-delivery abortion. For all those moms out there that have given birth to a child, they’re now saying you can kill it on the table.”
Nash also criticized a DFL-backed bill that he says would essentially ban people from buying homes to turn into rental property in Minnesota.
It states that “corporate entities, developers, and contractors are prohibited from converting single-family homes into rental property units.”
Nash believes this will bring a “communist approach to housing” to Minnesota.
LISTEN:
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
Liz Collin
Liz Collin has been a truth-teller for 20 years as a multi-Emmy-Award-winning reporter and anchor. Liz is a Worthington, Minnesota native who lives in the suburbs with her husband, son and loyal lab.
