Senate leaders Paul Gazelka and Warren Limmer failed Minnesota yesterday by not firing Governor Walz' Small Business Hit Squad Chief Jan Malcolm. In Friday's short session, they never brought up Jan Malcolm's confirmation and adjourned sine die, thus conceding all power they have to Governor Walz. Now the only way they can come back to the Capitol is if Governor Walz calls them back. 

They did end up firing Walz' Commerce Commissioner in the mini session. However, Warren Limmer couldn't be bothered to actually vote himself. There's no excuse for that in the COVID world where Senators can literally call in their vote. 

It's not like Warren Limmer wasn't aware of the vote. He spoke on the Senate floor prior to it. In fact, Jim Abeler who also spoke abstained from voting on the confirmation. The public firing succeeded because two Democrats voted with the Republicans, including former DFL leader Tom Bakk.

Instead of inflicting real pain against Governor Walz as he continues abusing Emergency Powers, Gazealk and Limmer appear to have sold us out for a deal on bonding debt.  Before adjourning sine die (which means Senate Republicans can no longer meet and fire commissioners), Gazelka stated that Senators will likely be called back on Sept 21st for a bonding debt bill. 

It looks like Gazelka and Limmer used their bargaining position of firing commissioners not to end Walz' Emergency Powers, but to strike a final deal on a bonding bill which will add nearly $2 Billion to the state taxpayers' credit card. 

Can you believe these guys would sell us out for debt?! Are Republican leaders not serious about ending the greatest threat to our liberties in modern history? 

Yesterday during the House floor session, a real gem was revealed to the public via the stupidity of one Republican legislator. Rep Jon Koznick, Assistant House Minority Leader, sent out an email with the intent to remind fellow Republicans not to message on COVID because it's not a "winning message" for them. However, his email was accidently sent to all Democrat legislators who then decided to pass it on to our local media.

Koznick's stupidity revealed what we've long suspected of Republican leadership at the Capitol. They really don't care that Walz is ruling by authoritarian mandate. All they care about is positioning themselves to win the next election. 

What a bunch of FRAUDS!

Gazelka and Limmer don't care about the businesses that are closing their doors due to the the Walz' Administration. They actually had the power to do something about it, and did NOTHING!

Thanks to Gazelka and Limmer, we have another 30 days of Walz' abusive Emergency Powers. And we have another 30 days of Walz' Small Business Hit Squad Chief harassing Minnesota businesses with massive fines for not complying with Walz' illegal orders. 

Remember this on November 3rd!

Action 4 Liberty remains committed to fighting for Minnesotans' liberties by ending Walz' Emergency Powers. We'll continue exploring all angles of achieving this and we will take this message to voters in the districts of the Walz' enablers so we get better representation in St Paul.

If you haven't signed our petition to End Walz' Emergency Powers, please sign below:

181 days of an "emergency" declared by Tyrant Wannabe Tim Walz and now he's extending it another 30 days. Which means he's bound by state law to call back the Legislature for the fourth Special Session this Friday. What he can't do, is determine how long that session will last. More on that in a minute.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and his Assistant Majority Leader Warren Limmer have the ability to deliver real pain to Walz.  They can FIRE Walz' Commissioners if he won't concede his abuse of emergency powers . Especially the one he just weaponized against our small businesses. 

Warren Limmer is in the political battle of his life to win re-election. So he has a decision to make! Stand with us (and The People) or cower to the Democrats. 

As you know, Governor Walz has used emergency powers to shut down small businesses and trample on our civil liberties. Walz is now going overboard as he weaponizes Minnesota Dept of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom to act as a hit squad on our business community. 

According to Kare11, Malcolm is "planning to conduct extra compliance checks for COVID-19 safety measures at bars and restaurants in the coming weeks." Violations of certain COVID orders issued unilaterally by Walz carry fines of up to $25,000 and 90 days in jail for business owners; an egregious use of power since criminal laws can't be passed without the legislative branch.

It's hard enough for small businesses to thrive in Walz' "One Minnesota" with constant threats of rioting/looting and adapting to the new marketplace post-COVID. Now our small businesses will have one further worry: Walz' hit squad led by Malcolm.

This isn't the only issue with Jan Malcolm's tenure as the Commissioner of the state's most critical department. It was revealed back in May that the Dept of Health was using undergraduate students to determine COVID modeling data, which has now been found to be completely flawed. Walz uses Malcolm's statistics as the basis for his abusive executive orders.

Many Republican legislators at the Capitol allege that the Department has inflated its COVID case numbers, including Senator and physician Scott Jensen. 

Malcolm also admitted that Walz' original order prohibiting surgeries in Minnesota was a mistake. “If I could roll back time I would not have had us use the word ‘elective’ procedures when talking about the original executive order" Malcolm said. Certainly this gross abuse of emergency powers led to the deaths of Minnesotans who should have received important medical procedures in that period of time.

Weaponizing the Dept of Health against small businesses in our state is about as cold-hearted, totalitarian as it gets. Walz continues to act as if he is capable of creating his owns laws and his compliant Commissioners like Malcolm are his enforcers. Are we still a free country?!

Although Malcom is commonly referred in the media and at the Capitol as "Commissioner", her appointment by Walz has never been approved by the Republican controlled Minnesota Senate. It currently awaits floor action that Majority Leader Paul Gazelka or his leadership team, like Assistant Majority Leader, Warren Limmer, can bring to a floor vote. In other words, at any time, Senate Republicans can do something about Walz' weaponization of the Dept of Health: they could fire Jan Malcolm!

Republicans have been kicked in the teeth by Walz’ authoritarian edict that House Democrats continue to rubber-stamp. They need to fight fire with fire and send Malcom packing to send a message that these illegal Emergency Orders won’t stand and Walz will pay a price.

Action 4 Liberty has been leading the charge since the beginning on passing the legislative resolutions to End Walz’ Power. We only had 15 House Republicans voting with us back in mid April. Now we have all 59 House Republicans, 4 House Democrats, and the Minnesota Senate on board.

At this point, the next step that's needed is to let the Democrats know there will be a price to pay if they allow these illegal powers to continue on.

This is the one fighting chance we have in this state to finally hold Walz accountable for abusing the laws and ruling by authoritarian dictate. The Senate has the opportunity to deliver a real blow to Walz and it is justified after what Minnesotans went through over the last 181 days. The Minnesota House has no say on this issue. So Gazelka and Limmer should refuse to adjourn sine die until Walz concedes his power. 

Weak Republicans need to actually stand up and fight like mad dogs. While Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are willing to threaten jail and fines, Republicans need to pull out all the stops and rain down political bombs to send a message this will not stand. Anything less is weakness.

It's up to Gazelka and Limmer to listen to you. If they blow this opportunity to deliver pain to Walz, we may never end Walz' Emergency Powers. Action 4 Liberty will make sure voters in their district understand they refused to stand up to the Democrats when it really mattered.

Senator Paul Gazelka (Majority Leader)

Call or text: 218-821-9287

Email: sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn

Senator Warren Limmer (Assistant Majority Leader)

Call: 651-296-2159

Email: sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn 

It's bad enough that Governor Walz has used emergency powers to shut down small businesses and trample on our civil liberties. But now Walz is weaponizing Minnesota Dept of Health Commissioner Jan Malcom to act as a hit squad on our business community. 

According to Kare11, Malcolm is "planning to conduct extra compliance checks for COVID-19 safety measures at bars and restaurants in the coming weeks." Violations of certain COVID orders issued unilaterally by Walz carry fines of up to $25,000 and 90 days in jail for business owners; an egregious use of power since criminal laws can't be passed without the legislative branch.

It's hard enough for small businesses to thrive in Walz' "One Minnesota" with constant threats of rioting/looting and adapting to the new marketplace post-COVID. Now our small businesses will have one further worry: Walz' hit squad led by Malcolm.

This isn't the only issue with Jan Malcolm's tenure as the Commissioner of the state's most critical department. It was revealed back in May that the Dept of Health was using undergraduate students to determine COVID modeling data, which has now been found to be completely flawed. Walz uses Malcolm's statistics as the basis for his abusive executive orders.

Many Republican legislators at the Capitol allege that the Department has inflated its COVID case numbers, including Senator and physician Scott Jensen. 

Malcolm also admitted that Walz' original order prohibiting surgeries in Minnesota was a mistake. “If I could roll back time I would not have had us use the word ‘elective’ procedures when talking about the original executive order" Malcolm said. Certainly this gross abuse of emergency powers led to the deaths of Minnesotans who should have received important medical procedures in that period of time.

Weaponizing the Dept of Health against small businesses in our state is about as cold-hearted, totalitarian as it gets. Walz continues to act as if he is capable of creating his owns laws and his compliant Commissioners like Malcolm are his enforcers. Are we still a free country?!

Although Malcom is commonly referred in the media and at the Capitol as "Commissioner", her appointment by Walz has never been approved by the Republican controlled Minnesota Senate. It currently awaits floor action that Majority Leader Paul Gazelka or his leadership team, like Assistant Majority Leader, Warren Limmer, can bring to a floor vote. In other words, at any time, Senate Republicans can do something about Walz' weaponization of the Dept of Health: they could fire Jan Malcolm!

Republicans have been kicked in the teeth by Walz’ authoritarian edict that House Democrats continue to rubber-stamp. They need to fight fire with fire and send Malcom packing to send a message that these illegal Emergency Orders won’t stand and Walz will pay a price.

Action 4 Liberty has been leading the charge since the beginning on passing the legislative resolutions to End Walz’ Power. We only had 15 House Republicans voting with us back in mid April. Now we have all 59 House Republicans, 4 House Democrats, and the Minnesota Senate on board. At this point, the next step that's needed is to let the Democrats know there will be a price to pay if they allow these illegal powers to continue on.

Sure, the media and Democrats will cry bloody murder. But the average Minnesotan won't shed a tear watching a political appointed bureaucrat lose a job when thousands of Minnesota businesses are going under as a direct result of the Walz' Administration's toxic leadership. This is the one fighting chance we have in this state to finally hold Walz accountable for abusing the laws and ruling by authoritarian dictate.

Weak Republicans need to actually stand up and fight like mad dogs. While Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are willing to threaten jail and fines, Republicans need to pull out all the stops and rain down political bombs to send a message this will not stand. Anything less is weakness.

If Senate Republicans are serious about ending Walz' Emergency Powers, which the Governor and House Democrats have no intention of doing themselves, then they need to fire Jan Malcolm.

Senator Paul Gazelka (Majority Leader)

Call or text: 218-821-9287

Email: sen.paul.gazelka@senate.mn

Senator Warren Limmer (Assistant Majority Leader)

Call: 651-296-2159

Email: sen.warren.limmer@senate.mn 

We will not be intimidated and we will not cower. Let me explain...

One week ago, racist agitator and DFL House candidate John Thompson made terroristic-like threats in a quiet neighborhood in Hugo, Minnesota. In front of women and children, Thompson screamed:

"Don’t run now. Don’t run now racist white people. I’m here. Oh yeah, we pull up. We pulled the f– up,” Thompson continued. “Blue lives ain’t s–, and if people here don’t support black people, f– Hugo, Minnesota.”

In response to this horrible event, Republican State Senator Roger Chamberlain and two GOP House candidates organized a rally on Saturday to show support for the police and America. 

It was an excellent idea that was gaining traction around the ranks of conservative activists. Even Alpha News reported on the event to its large Minnesota audience.

But then, Sen Roger Chamberlain announced Friday afternoon (less than 24 hours out) that the event was being canceled due to "threats and the potential of violence". Chamberlain did what so many weak-kneed Republican legislators in this state often do: cower to the radical left.

It's Chamberlain and gang that caved to Democrats last year when they increased our taxes, making the sick tax permanent. And it was he and other Senate Republicans that refused to bring a vote on the Senate floor to End Walz' Emergency Powers in April and May, despite your calls and emails.

A couple sources have informed us that the call to cancel the event was the plea from House Republican leader Kurt Daudt, who likely feared negative publicity for his two candidates who were co-hosting. Why Chamberlain, who by all accounts was the one spearheading the effort, would follow Daudt's lead is a mystery to us all.

However, we at Action 4 Liberty didn't view this as just another disappointment by Republican leadership. This was different. It was the kind of cowardice that would embolden the fringe left and give BLM/Antifa power to cancel all future celebrations of our flag and country.

In some ways, it was our side's version of allowing the 3rd Precinct to fall.

Can you imagine backing down from a pro-America flag rally in a small town park? If we can't peacefully assemble, we've lost our country!

So Action 4 Liberty quickly jumped into action with our strategic partners like Michele Even of MAGASOTA (Michele was our Activist of the Year in 2019) and the excellent team with the Recall Walz group.

We all took over the hosting of the event and ensured that BLM/Antifa wouldn't win. We immediately helped promote on social media the renewed event and then fired off an email to tens of thousands of people late Friday night.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of patriotic, American-loving Minnesotans drove to Lions Park in Hugo on short notice to wave the flag and celebrate our freedom. The event was a major success and there was no threat or incident to report.

We will not be intimidated and we will not cower. The freedom we enjoy in this country is too important to follow the failed leadership of people like Sen Chamberlain.

Let's be honest, the Democrats in this state are moving further and further to the far left. Our Governor is unilaterally declaring rights that he does not have. And he still has not withdrawn his endorsement of John Thompson.

We clearly need a team of freedom fighters up at the Capitol who we can proudly claim as our own. Top notch candidates like Erik Mortensen in Shakopee. Action 4 Liberty is busy building this team so we do not keep losing to the radical left.

Help support Action 4 Liberty continue building the army of activists and team of freedom fighters so we can take back this state.

SUPPORT ACTION 4 LIBERTY

We have a big choice in the next couple of years. Either we continue allowing weak-kneed Republicans to derail our freedom movement or we STAND UP and start building a team of freedom fighters who won't back down to the fringe left.

If we don't start doing something about the Republicans in charge, then we will never End Walz' Emergency Power, never reduce taxes, never shrink the size and scope of government and never defeat the radical left agenda.

It was Friday, August 7th, four days from the primary, and Rep Jeremy Munson went on social media to set the record straight about some last minute hit pieces on him by Republican Minority Leader Kurt Daudt's group, the MN Jobs Coalition. The Republican establishment was spending resources against the most conservative member of the Minnesota House, lying about his record and distorting the truth about his accomplishments in an attempt to help their handpicked challenger.

Munson, who received the endorsement by the Republican Party in an uncontested race, called upon the Republican Party of Minnesota to disavow the negative pieces on one of their endorsed candidates. Especially since the organization behind the activity likely shares resources with the MNGOP through its relationship with Kurt Daudt. 

Surprisingly, the Party not only refused to provide a public statement defending their endorsed candidate, they proceeded to cut off the Munson campaign's access to DataCenter at the most critical time of the campaign: the weekend before the primary election. MNGOP employee Andy Aplikowski gave the campaign the impression it was retribution for the recent negative publicity state Party chair Jennifer Carnahan received from independent new site Alpha News.

A History of Vindictive Behavior

Carnahan is well liked amongst the rank-in-file GOP activists who meet her at campaign stops, rallies and training events. On the surface, she comes across as an up-beat, positive thinking spokesperson for a state party that has suffered tremendous electoral defeats for over 14 years. 

But a growing number of conservative activists in Minnesota are seeing another side to Carnahan that is less flattering. She's made baseless claims of racism against long time party activists and donors behind closed doors. Carnahan is  quick to use the identity politics tactic that the left commonly employs, when it comes to her own race and gender.

Carnahan's rocky start in GOP politics might be partially due to the fact that she was a Democrat a short time ago. Here's a fundraiser for then City Councilman Jacob Frey where Carnahan is listed as a joint host.

One major foul of Carnahan in her time as Party chair was when she used party resources early in the year to create a website calling a Pro-Trump grassroots group "scammers" because the group refused to work directly with the Party. We spoke with the founder of MAGASOTA who stated the reason for independence is that the MNGOP won't be as effective at reaching new audiences of potential Trump voters based on past electoral performance. Who can argue with that point?

When COVID struck, Carnahan was quick to use the same tyrannical style of power that she criticizes Governor Walz of using when she moved all Republican conventions online and administered from the state Party instead of the local Party units. We have a number of documented cases of malfeasance on behalf of the Party with this new power. 

Carnahan stripped the delegate status from avid Trump supporter and GOP donor Sheri Auclair prior to the state convention. In CD8, an activist informed us that his properly filled out application for elector was rejected by the Party so that Pete Stauber's wife would win the position. In the CD7 convention, the grassroots conservative who ran for elector mysteriously did not receive the Trump endorsement, which Carnahan placed on the screen when people voted.

In the case of contested legislative endorsements, about a dozen delegates in the 31A race did not receive the Convention call to participate. In the 33B race, newly credential delegates that were never provided to the Stebbins campaign were registered the night of the convention. To make matters worse, a seated legislator, Rep Cal Bahr, was not allowed in the observation room to ensure proper accounting of votes. A week later, the Party made big news when the voting software they were using for the last month, had massive failures which Carnahan immediately blamed on "hacking".

The Swamp Has Taken Over

Most insiders who are paying attention have witnessed a slow takeover of the MNGOP by National Republican forces. This in part, explains the meddling in races like CD7 where the establishment picked candidate Michelle Fischbach is able to get endorsements from Trump and Pence despite being the least attractive or conservative candidate in the race. Lucky for the Party, they were able to defend that pitiful campaign in the primary.

Internal to Minnesota, Carnahan and Daudt appear to have developed quite the working relationship. After Daudt's Republican affiliated group the House Republican Campaign Committee (HRCC) spent $30k against the Party endorsed candidate Erik Mortensen in 2018, a movement to strip the HRCC of their Party affiliation was squashed by Carnahan and members of the MNGOP Exec Council. Apparently if a Party affiliated group works against the Party's endorsed candidates, there's no retribution. 

In the same 2018 election cycle, Daudt's outsider group worked against Party endorsed candidates Brad Ganzer and Vince Baudette, securing victories for their hand picked candidates who, no surprise, aren't voting that conservatively in St Paul. In that case, the Jobs Coalition is an independent group and has every right to spend resources where they see fit. But where was the Party in defense of their endorsed candidates?

Who is Kurt Daudt

We've been a long critic of the House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt based on the crony tactics he uses to coerce members of the House caucus to vote for his liberal policies. Daudt's accomplishments in "leadership" reads like a Democrat's: moved Minnesota to a National ID system, bailed out Minnesota Health Insurance companies, added billions of dollars of debt and grew government by double digits. 

Behind the scenes, Daudt is working to build his team of "yes men" at the Capitol while we're building a Freedom Team. We struck against his strategy big in 2016 when we took out a 22 year incumbent and replaced him with Rep Cal Bahr. Then in 2018 when Rep Tony Cornish had to resign in disgrace, we were able to help Jeremy Munson win the endorsement and then fend off Daudt's primary challenger. 

Daudt's toxic leadership and desire to beat conservative candidates in primaries is the direct reason why four members of the House Republican Caucus left and started the New House Republican Caucus. So it's no surprise that Daudt and his crony friends at the Jobs Coalition wanted to teach Munson a lesson.

But the attack on Munson goes beyond that. Jeremy also authored a bill that would ban legislators from being employed by lobbying firms, something that surprisingly isn't already on the books in Minnesota. Kurt Daudt was hired last fall by notorious Washington D.C. lobbying firm Stateside Associates. And since taking that position, legislators have received calls from lobbyists employed by Stateside. The Jobs Coalition founder is also a paid lobbyist for liberal causes, no surprise there.

Let's Hope Munson-style Conservatives are the Future

Despite the lack of support from Carnahan's MNGOP and the hit pieces from Daudt's group, Munson won handedly on Tuesday's primary election night. He secured nearly a 60 point victory over the establishment's candidate. Erik Mortensen also prevailed in his rematch against Daudt's preferred candidate, Bob Loonan, in the 55A primary. Onward to beating the Democrats in November!

Conservative activists deserve a better group of representatives up at the Capitol. The stakes are greater than we've ever seen before. Governor Walz is unilaterally passing laws that are harming our economy and infringing on our civil liberties. When we got our first vote to remove Walz' Emergency Powers on April 14th, Daudt instructed most Republican members to abstain or vote against the measure. We only received 15 votes from House Republicans. This is the kind of representation we get when Daudt and Carnahan get their way.

The Republican Party is moving more to the left every day. Its leaders are filled with the same selfish conquests that the leadership of the Democrat Party possesses. In some ways, there's no different amongst the two parties. However, we know the ranks of Republican voters and activists in Minnesota and they desire a true conservative vision for this state. In order for that to happen, we at Action 4 Liberty must continue growing and shining a light on what's happening behind the scenes to take our state in the wrong direction.

If you agree with us on Ending Walz' Emergency Powers, please sign our petition below.

Governor Walz is issuing a statewide mask mandate today in his 2pm press conference. Details on the consequences of violations and how the illegal order will be enforced is yet to be known. Where a Governor gets the power to force citizens to wear a piece of cloth is a mystery to anyone with a basic understanding of constitutional law.

Walz showed his true disdain for democratic principles today by unilaterally issuing the illegal order. Democrats who purport to believe in democracy, are displaying their true love for authoritarian 'benevolent" dictatorship. Walz waited until the Minnesota legislature adjourned until he issued his illegal order, thus leaving citizens without any legal recourse outside of the court system, which already has its own mask mandate.

It's unlikely Walz will deputize a new mask enforcement agency today to carry out his order. Which means the responsibility of enforcement falls on local police departments who are already stressed from the tensions created by the BLM movement. 

Is the science of preventing the spread of COVID using mask settled? Minnesota's foremost expert Dr Mike Osterholm has made numerous statements on how non-N95 masks are not very effective in combatting COVID. But let's assume he's wrong and Walz' "science" is better, why is he waiting to issue the order until 2 pm? If this is about saving lives, how many people have died in the past two weeks as Walz mulled over the decision to issue a mask mandate?

Walz' One Minnesota vision is finally becoming clear to us. It's an anti-democratic, unconstitutional vision of compliance with his dictatorial orders. "Do as I say, or else!" Mask wearing and social distancing are his orders and violators will be prosecuted...

(Picture of Gov Walz in July 2020 not practicing social distancing or mask wearing so he can get a photo op for a government project)

Action 4 Liberty is helping the effort to Recall Walz. Sign the RECALL WALZ PETITION.

The Legislature adjourned sine die last night with no bonding debt bill or massive compromise on Walz' illegal powers.

This last week was crazy. We went into the weekend hearing that House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt was horse trading a Fake End Powers Bill for the bonding bill. That was the last line of defense to make sure we didn't add more debt to the state credit card while Walz' still had his power.

Many supporters of Action 4 Liberty called and emailed Daudt to stop him from passing the bonding bill. They received a reply from him on Monday trying to trick them about Action 4 Liberty and divert attention to Rep Munson. Luckily, they didn't fall for his gimmick.

Meanwhile, he leaked his draft Fake End Powers Bill to the media that he was using to horse trade for bonding debt. What a shame.

House Democrats did bring the bonding debt bill to the floor for a vote over night. Attached to bonding debt was a tax bill, a clear constitutional violation according to the Single Subject Clause (Article 4, Section 17). The vote fell short of the super majority requirement to pass it: 75-57. 

The Senate decided to wait for a bonding debt bill to pass in the House, and when that did not happen, they adjourned sine die. 

Governor Walz' powers expire on August 13th. If he wants to extend them for the sixth month, he must call the legislature back to the Capitol. And that's where the big showdown will happen.

Consider donating to Action 4 Liberty to equip us in the fight. We'll have to turn up the heat on the remaining legislators so we can finally End Walz' Emergency Powers once and for all.

The House Republicans led by lobbyist legislator Kurt Daudt (R-Spectacle Lake) released a copy of their Fake End Powers Bill to the media this morning following their press conference. Daudt has stated on multiple occasions that his caucus will not pass a bonding debt bill unless they terminate Walz' Emergency Powers. The bill, that is currently still in draft form, would give the perception of terminating those powers, but would in practicality do nothing but allow an undefined group of legislators some oversight. 

According to Daudt's Fake End Powers Bill, Walz' powers would still be able to "exercise inherent powers to provide for public health,​ safety, and welfare." Language like this would be legal cover for Walz to continue infringing on Minnesotan's civil liberties. The bill also states the "governor may make, amend and rescind orders and rules necessary to carry out provisions."

The bill in its current status does not define what the "legislative oversight committee" is, but that's the only new safeguard in place for Walz' future abuse of powers. Action 4 Liberty's argument is that Walz' powers should be completely stripped, not codified in new law.

Politicians often write bills like this to provide cover for themselves. It appears to the public like they are on our side, when in reality, nothing of significant substance has changed. House Republicans SHOULD NOT negotiate away their only bargaining chip and pass the bonding debt bill for this Fake End Powers Bill.

Here's the draft bill:

We are in the fifth straight month of Walz' unprecedented, illegal use of emergency powers that are infringing on our civil liberties and harming Minnesota businesses. But to the Republicans leading the Senate Majority and the House Minority, it's just another day of backroom deals and pork barrel projects.

The Pioneer Press reports that a deal is close to being reached on bonding debt with lobbyist legislator Kurt Daudt (R-Spectacle Lake) and presumably Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka. "Walz said he and Daudt have been negotiating a compromise deal behind closed doors in recent days. 'I think we’re very close on this, [stated Walz], adding he was 'optimistic' and 'hopeful' they would get it done" wrote Bill Salisbury. 

How can a deal be close when Rep Kurt Daudt is on record numerous times in the past month stating that the House Republicans would not deliver the six Republican votes necessary to pass a bonding debt bill until Democrats vote to end Walz' Emergency Powers. The vote failed for the fourth time in the House on Tuesday with only four Democrats breaking ranks.

Perhaps Daudt is willing to compromise on what he meant by "removing Walz' powers" using a phony fix bill introduced by one of his caucus members this week, Rep Barb Haley. HF 81 changes parts of Chapter 12.31 that gives the Governor emergency powers during "acts of nature". According to the bill, the legislature would have two new options after 30 days of a Governor's emergency:

• if the governor extends the emergency peacetime declaration beyond 30 days, the
  legislature may consider each executive order under the emergency declaration individually and decide to rescind or affirm each individual executive order; or
  
• terminate any subsequent order or rule promulgated by the governor directing a
  specific response to the peacetime emergency.

The problem here is this bill would need to be signed by the Governor, meaning further concessions on bonding or perhaps a mask mandate passed by the legislature. Why else would he be willing to cede his new powers?

How do We The People benefit under this circumstance?

Democrats get to keep emergency powers and get more government spending

Republicans get pork projects for their districts

WE get the BILL!

Republicans need to hold the line and not be willing to give up one dime of our tax money (or future tax money). I think these legislators have forgotten that the state is broke with a $2.4 Billion budget deficit. Why are we negotiating away our freedoms for debt? If these bills pass, the Republicans have no more negotiating tools to end Walz' Emergency Powers.

Action 4 Liberty opposes passing any legislation that compromises with the Democrats while Walz' emergency powers still exist. 

Rep Jeremy Munson and members of the New House Republican Caucus had their lawsuit against Governor Walz heard today in the Ramsey County Court with Judge Thomas Gilligan Jr presiding, a Governor Dayton appointee. Their suit alleges that the Governor has abused his constitutional powers by creating laws, which is left to the Legislature. 

Governor Walz was defended in the case by the state Solicitor General Liz Kramer who argued that the Governor needed to exercise the powers given in State Statute 12.31 in order to save Minnesotans from an "act of nature". She further argued that the plaintiffs are using other state's laws to make their case, whereas Walz is operating within the laws of the state of Minnesota. Kramer asked for dismissal of the case based on lack of standing for the plaintiffs.

Munson's team was represented in the Court (Zoom session) today by Erick Kaardal, who quickly pointed out that the Solicitor General surprisingly failed to mention the Constitution in her arguments when discussing a case of Constitutionality. His central argument is that the power of creating legislation cannot be delegated citing the "Non-delegation doctrine".

(Image of Erick Kaardal arguing in front of Judge Gilligan)

Kardaal further argued that the case is based on the infringement of civil liberties and that the Government fails to argue how the Governor has power to take them away legally. "Are there reasonable standards in Statute 12.31 that allow the restrictions of civil liberties" stated Kaardal.  "Are we now wards of the Governor without legislative guidance, administrative procedural safeguards and without judicial review?"

Judge Gilligan interrupted Kardaal asking how a Governor is suppose to act with urgency in a less than ideal world when a legislature is incapable of responding to acts of nature.

Kardall's response focused on what Statute 12.31 allows the Governor to do in order to act with urgency. However, nowhere in that Statute, is there a provision that allows him to restrict civil liberties.

The hearing appeared to take a bad turn when Judge Gilligan stated that the legislature built in the proper recourse in Chapter 12.31 with the provision that allows for a simple majority of the legislature to remove the Governor's emergency powers. Kaardal acknowledged the point but argued that the legislature was "lazy" when drafting the law and that there was no necessary guidance on the restriction of civil liberties. 

In the Solicitor General's response, she alleged Kaardal made "inflammatory and misleading" statements about the Governor's use of power, briefly dismissing the claim that Walz has no restrictions on taking Minnesotan's civil liberties. She argued that the Governor has the power to restrict civil liberties as long as they pertain to protecting citizens against the emergency. 

The hearing ended with Judge Gilligan stating that he will take the arguments under advisement and will issue his decision soon.