Minnesota Legislature

Issues include child tax credit, recreational marijuana, abortion

Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., joined Minnesota’s other bishops and staff of the Minnesota Catholic Conference at the State Capitol March 23 to discuss a variety of pro-family policies and issues with Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders.

On Feb. 28, pro-life Minnesotans from across the state will gather at the State Capitol for the first-ever “United for Life” advocacy day — an opportunity to show support for policies that protect the unborn and assist mothers.

In a party-line vote, Democrats in the Minnesota Senate passed a bill 34-33 in the early morning hours of Jan. 28 to place a right to abortion for any reason and without a limit on viability into state law. The House approved the measure Jan. 19, and Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign the bill into law.

The Minnesota Catholic Conference is encouraging people to contact their state senators and urge them to “resist the throwaway culture and vote no” on the so-called “Protect Reproductive Options Act.”

One of the Families First Projects’ foundational goals is to create an appropriate “policy ecosystem” that supports the creation of stable families and helps them flourish by making it easier to get married, stay married, have kids, raise kids in economically stable environments, and care for extended family.

“Historic turnover within the state Legislature presents both an opportunity and responsibility to make an impression on a new cohort of lawmakers.”

Amid the ongoing challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Minnesota Catholic Conference worked to help pass legislation at the State Capitol this session to protect the poor and vulnerable while also staving off initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana and physician-assisted suicide.