Notes from the Capitol By State Rep. Paul Anderson

Proposed ban on gas-powered lawn equipment is overreach

There is a feeling among some that our state is trying to follow California's lead in many ways, especially in terms of environmental legislation and rule-making regulations. The latest example is a bill introduced this past week in the Minnesota House that bans the use of gas-powered lawn equipment in Minnesota in less than two years. It's H.F. 1715, which states that all new lawn and garden equipment sold or distributed in Minnesota after Jan. 1, 2025, be powered solely by electricity.

We aren't making this up. The proposed ban affects lawn mowers, leaf blowers, hedge clippers, chain saws, lawn edgers, string trimmers, and brush cutters. The ban on lawn mowers would include any model whose engine rates less than 25 horsepower. Many riding mowers are in that 20 to 25 horsepower range, and they are used to mow lawns that, in many cases, are quite large. Especially here in Greater Minnesota, keeping our lawns neatly mowed and trimmed can be a big job, one that many folks enjoy. And to legislate that they can't go to their favorite hardware store and buy a new gas-powered Lawn Boy or Simplicity is a stretch an overreach.

Once again, we are setting ourselves up to be an island where stores in our neighboring border cities in the Dakotas – such as Fargo, Wahpeton and Milbank – will have those models for sale. And it's not so much the fact that electric lawn mowers are bad, it's that Big Government is telling us what we must do.

Full disclosure here. I have an electric chain saw and I really like it. Especially nice is the fact that, so long as the battery is charged, it will start every time! I've spent too much time pulling on the starter rope of a gas chain saw that hasn't been used in a while. But the electric chain saw, at least the one I have, has its place, and it's not for felling big, three-foot diameter ash trees. Its chain isn't as heavy, and it's meant for smaller jobs, such as trimming branches or cutting down small-diameter trees.

The point is that I bought the saw because I saw the need and wanted to, not because someone said I had to. If the electric models of any of this type of equipment are good and they make sense, people will buy them. But let the market take us there, and don't eliminate certain models that, for some, make the most sense.

The speed with which legislation is being passed so far this session is concerning. We have worked on several major bills, and each has been passed with no Republican amendments being added to them. What that means is the minority party has had little to no input when putting these bills together.

The latest example is the Earned Safe and Sick Time bill that was passed after nearly seven hours of debate last Thursday. This legislation will affect every employer in the state, even those with as few as one employee. At least three cities in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, Duluth and Bloomington, have similar plans already in place. However, all three exempt employers with fewer than five workers from the mandate of having to offer paid time off for sickness. Republicans offered several options to amend the bill so it would have less impact on these small businesses. None were accepted and the bill passed on a straight party-line vote.

It was the same story when the abortion bill was passed. It was also the same for the energy bill, the drivers licenses-for-all bill, and the fully paid school lunch bill. So far, at least, there has been very little in the way of compromise as major legislation is put together and passed here in Minnesota.

You can always call my office at (651) 296-4317, my home phone at (320) 239-2726 or email me at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn if you need additional information.

From the Desk of Pastor Bruce

How many of you have bought a new cell phone lately? Or any device as far as that goes. I looked at new phones a few months ago, but the technology changes so fast I have no idea what I am buying. I was talking to a friend of mine (actually from Nigeria, Africa) asking him what it all means. He tried to help me but I could not figure it out. He told me, the best thing for me to do was to go to a store and ask the questions directly to those who sell phones.

I asked my son to buy two new phones for me, one for mom and one for me. I asked him to get the exact phone I had so I do not have to figure out a new phone. After the phones came, I could not figure out how to get them to work, so I called my son up (by this time he is probably getting tired of me calling). I was also switching providers. I learned one thing. I am never buying another phone. Haha.

I need to encourage all you readers. Jesus Christ never changes! Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” For all you techy people out there, this actually might be a disappointment. But for everyone else, God’s technology or His form of communication never changes. He wants a relationship with us! He wants to talk to us, and He wants us to talk to Him. He cares about our lives and He wants to help. In fact, Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) But Jesus promises us that He will return for us, are you waiting for Him?

Hebrews 9:27-28 “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

You don’t have to look for new ways to meet Jesus, If you refuse to meet Him now, the next time you meet Him will be on Judgment day. You will want to have Jesus in your life before that happens.

-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916

End of Life Decisions from a Catholic Perspective

A FREE workshop for everyone sponsored by Catholic United Financial. February 28th at 7 pm, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Upsala, MN Gregory Gall will talk about financial decisions involved with the end of life, including probate, asset protection, wills, trust and more. Fr. David Grundman will address end-of-life questions and the importance of a having a health directive.

Orders can be done 24/7 at www.flowershopnetwork.com

320-285-2600 www.chriscountrystore.com

105 State St. E., Grey Eagle • Email: tcjr5933@gmail.com

Flowers • Thrift & Gift

New to You Clothing

Coffee/Gathering

Guest House Rental

After a quarter of a century running a small town business I have seen many changes. As of March 1st, I will no longer have any retail grocery. I will not have fresh meat in my counter for sale, but will still welcome orders.

New for 2023: I will pursue my true passion of becoming a full service florist. Weddings, Sympathy and All Occasions. We will continue to build our Thrift & Gift, New to you clothing. Ideas to expand the coffee/gathering are also in the works. Guest house for rent. Stay tuned, I will keep you posted.

A huge thank you to all of you who have supported me over the years, I love you all and look forward to being a vital part of this community. -Chris

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Serving 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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