Former President Barack Obama recently highlighted the rampant pace of legislative change in Minnesota so far this year to point out that elections have consequences. This is absolutely right – the narrow wins for progressives in the 2022 elections did have consequences. And those consequences are having reverberations for our entire state. This year, we saw a party with a one-seat majority disregard Minnesotans’ values to advance a radical agenda. Unsurprisingly, at the end of the legislative session, the majority of Minnesotans said they believe the state is on the wrong track.
The first bill passed and signed into law this year was the “Protect Reproductive Options” or “PRO” Act, establishing a “right” to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, as well as a “right” to sterilization. Senate Democrats rejected over 30 amendments to the PRO Act, including amendments that would have banned late-term abortions, partial-birth abortions, and abortion on the basis of sex, race, or disability; protected children from sterilization; and required abortion facilities to comply with basic health and safety measures.
The legislature also passed a law that allows the state to take custody of children with gender dysphoria whose parents refuse to subject them to puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones—treating concerned, loving parents as if they are abusers, simply for refusing to subject their children to risky treatments that are not evidence-based. 67% of Minnesotans oppose sex-change surgeries for minors.
Minnesota’s so-called “conversion therapy” ban intrudes on the counselor-client relationship, restricting the First Amendment rights of licensed counselors and therapists and preventing young people and vulnerable adults who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria from receiving wanted counsel and therapy.
In addition to these individual bills, the omnibus Health and Human Services bill repealed Positive Alternative Grant program, which funded life-affirming alternatives to abortion, gutted the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, and repealed significant portions of Minnesota’s abortion reporting requirements.
The omnibus education bill included language excluding colleges and universities that hold to a statement of faith from participating in the PSEO program. Families affected by this new law are already challenging it in court.
Progressives also passed laws protecting abortion providers facing criminal charges in other states, legalizing recreational marijuana, and removing language from Minnesota law stating that pedophilia is not a sexual orientation.
As we look at the results of this legislative session, it’s important to keep in mind that the majority held the Senate by only one seat—a seat which was won by a mere 321 votes. This means that things do not have to stay this way in Minnesota. After all, elections have consequences and it is the role of voters to keep our elected officials accountable when they act against the best interests of our state. It’s time to start thinking—and praying—about 2024.
