A Minnesota law requiring people in schools, hospitals, psychological or psychiatric practices, social services and other professions to report suspicions that a child is being maltreated has another safeguard for children, thanks to a law passed this year by the Legislature.
It is no secret the 2023 legislative session set back Minnesota’s pro-life movement, especially regarding the protection of women and girls’ health and safety. But there is no time for lamentations. Instead, we must move forward in a united and collaborative way to create a state where every preborn child is welcomed in life and respected by law.
In the face of adversity, all of us in the Church must keep tilling the soil so that good things will grow and be ready to harvest from our Capitol in St. Paul.
Despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church and others, Gov. Tim Walz signed into law April 27 a bill designed to make so-called “gender-affirming” health care readily accessible to minors traveling or brought illegally to Minnesota from other states.
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill 69-65 to place a right to abortion into state law Jan. 19, only hours after a letter from Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Minnesota’s six other Catholic bishops urged them against the move.
“There will not be #mnleg alignment on common-sense gun regulation, but this is something we can do immediately (to) protect our students. Gov. Walz and Sen. Miller have communicated to us their support in principle for this bill, and it is time to get it done,” MCC continued in its Twitter thread.
The Legislature’s regular session came to its constitutionally mandated end May 17 and it is officially in recess. However, this “recess” is not a time for rest and relaxation. In fact, the clock is ticking again.
Only two things are certain in life: death and taxes, as the saying goes. However, our state government must accomplish one other thing: a budget. And, it must be balanced, so says our state’s constitution. This is currently what our state Legislature is trying to sort out.
Homeless shelters and food banks are among groups helping the needy who will receive assistance in a $330 million COVID-19 emergency response bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature March 26 and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz.
“The Opportunity Scholarship will break down financial barriers for low- and middle-income families, allowing them to select the best schools based on the needs of their sons and daughters,” Gazelka said.
