Friends and neighbors,

We are in the final stretch of the 2024 legislative session, and I am grateful to share some good news from this past week. On Tuesday, May 7, after weeks of negotiations, Senate Republicans amended the 2024 Minnesota Human Rights bill with language that reinstates religious liberty protections that were removed by Senate Democrats last year. Both the amendment and the final bill passed the Senate with unanimous support.

The bill reinstates the protections for religious organizations that every Minnesotan deserves and expects to have. At least 15 religious communities and organizations—Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Evangelical Christians, and others—have expressed their support for the restoration of religious exemptions. Passing this amendment and the bill secures in law both a fundamental and a foundational right every American is afforded under the Constitution.

The statutory exemption, contained in the amendment, puts the statutory framework with religious exemptions in the Human Rights Act back in line with the U.S. and Minnesota Constitutions. It outlines a broad array of activities by faith organizations that are exempt from claims of discrimination.

This is a victory for Minnesota’s religious organizations. With this clarification, we are restoring religious liberties in our state. I greatly appreciate everyone, especially our religious leaders, who helped get this fundamental legislation to the finish line.

Senate tax bill fails to prioritize meaningful relief for Minnesotans

Though the religious liberties restoration is a perfect example of bipartisan work and compromise, this week we still saw many partisan policies pass out of the Senate. This includes the majority’s tax bill, which fails to provide meaningful relief for Minnesotans.

During the 2023 legislative session, Democrats raised taxes by nearly $10 billion and blew through the entire $19 billion surplus. After emptying the pocketbooks of every Minnesotan, this year’s tax bill is primarily a collection of tax breaks for local projects instead of permanent tax relief for the average Minnesotan.

Republicans sought to improve the bill by offering a key amendment to repeal the e-pull-tabs language from the 2023 tax bill. This change threatens to completely abandon charities across Minnesota and tear down e-pull tabs. When it goes into effect in 2025, it will leave countless American Legions, children’s sports, Lions Clubs, and VFWs struggling to raise the revenue they rely on. The majority ruled this amendment not germane and refused to hear it.

Minnesota families are struggling to afford everyday essentials due to rising inflation. That is why we should be taking meaningful steps to make life more affordable for Minnesotans. It’s unfortunate that Democrats do not share this same priority.

Contact My Office

Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind during the final days of the 2024 legislative session. You can contact my office at sen.bruce.anderson@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce Anderson