Friends and neighbors, 

Minnesota District Court Ruling on Pro-Life Statutes

A Minnesota District Court recently struck down several of our state’s bipartisan and long-standing pro-life legislation. 

The Court overturned statutes that required that abortions be performed by doctors, and that abortions conducted during the second or third trimester be performed in hospitals. Further, this ruling determined the parental notification for minors, and the imposition of a felony for abortions conducted outside of the Department of Health rules, are unconstitutional.

I’m saddened to see the Court rule these bipartisan laws as unconstitutional. As the effects of this ruling continues to unfold, I remain committed to policies that protect all life and support mothers.

Mental Health Crisis Lifeline

Additionally, the United States’ first nationwide three-digit mental health crisis hotline recently went live. Anyone facing a mental health crisis can now dial 988 to reach a trained crisis counselor who can help regardless of where they live. This transition is part of a nationwide effort to change the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to a phone number that is easier to remember and access in times of crisis.

This resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and crisis support can also be received through text and a new online chat feature. This resource is also available for anyone who is worried that a loved one may need crisis support.

Mental health is a critical public health need across the United States and in our state, and the number of suicide deaths and the suicide rate in Minnesota has continued to increase for 20 years. This new shorter dialing code will help Americans facing a mental health crisis have greater accessibility to important crisis support. 

For more information on the mental health crisis lifeline, please visit – HERE. 

Broadband Grants Available

The Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program application is now open for the FY2022/23 grant round, with a maximum of $95 million in grants available. This program, which was created in 2014, funds the expansion of broadband service to areas of our state that are unserved or underserved. 

From healthcare to education, we have all become increasingly dependent on devices that require access to a quality broadband connection. This latest round of grant funding will get our state even closer to ensuring all Minnesotans have the connectivity they need.

During the 2022 legislative session, my colleagues and I approved $25 million in general revenue funds for this program for FY23. During the 2021 special session we also directed that for FY22 and FY23, the grant program would be funded at $70 million and with federal American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Funds.

For more information and to review the application process, please visit – HERE.

I want to hear from you, my constituents, on issues that are important to you. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. You can contact my office at sen.bruce.anderson@senate.mn or 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce Anderson