- Progs in state legislatures across the country attempting to enact draconian gun control is nothing new. But here in Minnesota, DFLers loved to have their ego stroked by the national press corps for enacting some of the most "progressive" legislation back in 2023 and 2024. And they're looking to feel those feels again.
(T)he most chilling (gun control) legislation may be in Minnesota, where state Sen. Matt Klein has introduced SF 4290. The law not only bans semiautomatic rifles and magazines with more than ten bullets, but also allows citizens to keep prior purchased weapons only if they agree to allow the police to enter their homes to inspect storage and safety conditions.
What's ironic is the loudest supporters of this legislation are those who decried Federal agents' heavy-handed tactics in removing illegal aliens from this state earlier this year. But now, an American citizen who owns a common use firearm with a 15-round mag (i.e. a standard Glock) could potentially be turned into a felon once such legislation is enacted.
Given that one of the largest growing demographics of gun owners are left-of-center voters in the Twin Cities metro area, do they have any idea how much their newly respected civil liberties would be restricted by the DFL legislators for whom they routinely cast votes? Time to get the word out I guess.
- When people criticize an activity or decision while having a differing or non-existent opinion at the outset, it's called a "second guess."
But if something from the beginning is rightly seen as a horrendous decision and it's disastrous consequences come to fruition, that would adequately be described as a "first guess." Things that would fit in to such a category include:
- Chevy Chase hosting a TV talk show.
- New Coke.
- Joe Biden's decision to run for a second presidential term.
Minnesota's Paid Family & Medical Leave Act is on par with the above list.
From Bill Glahn 3+ years ago:
And from a Fox 9 story on Tuesday:
Minnesota businesses are facing significant hurdles with the state's new Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, just two months after its implementation.
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce shared that 80% of its 6,300 members already offered some form of paid leave before the state mandate. Business owners are now experiencing increased costs and frustration due to the new requirements.
The Chamber highlighted several concerns, including the program's complexity, slow execution, and disruption for small or seasonal businesses. There are also worries about potential misuse and long-term financial sustainability.
"Beyond just anti-fraud sentiments, employers are reporting a few concerning trends, a few examples. Providers are being pressured by patients for the full 12 weeks of leave, even if their condition does not require it. A number of respondents have shared that their employees are making more on paid leave than the wage replacement thresholds in law," said Lauryn Schothorst of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. "Employees are going on vacation or to music festivals while supposedly on leave. These anecdotes don't necessarily reveal fraud or a lack of oversight by the department. They highlight concerns with the broad eligibility and limited employer recourse elements of the law. To employers, overuse is abuse," said Lauryn Schothorst with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
As Mr. Glahn has often been known to point out regularly when discussing leftist policy - "Decline is a choice."
- Minnesota progs really get up in arms when they're told there's a mass exodus from the state due to overbearing and insufferable leftist policy. So naturally, they jump around like poo flinging monkeys when one piece of data validates their worldview of Minnesota being a desirous place to live.
This is a positive one-year development to be sure. However, it doesn't change the fact that the next census (slated for 2030) will determine that Minnesota may well lose one of it's eight U.S. House seats (it came down to us and New York after the 2020 count).
That said, we ought not be measuring the quantity but rather quality of the net positive migration. John Phelan of American Experiment broke it down in late January.
The data is seldom kind to Minnesota, so this should be welcomed. As I have written before, if we are to improve our relatively poor performance in per capita GDP growth, we need the people moving here to be more likely to be employed and/or more skilled than those people already resident here. Let us hope for further good news on this front.
This should also be a warning to big spending politicians who look to hike fees and taxes that the well is still pretty dry. Perhaps legislation incentivizing businesses to not only move here but implementing policies causing successful MN companies to desire to stay? Dare to dream.
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