Legislative News

Random Prattling, Jabbering & Natterings

An opinion column by Doug Franzen

Omicron is the 15th letter in the Greek alphabet. It is also the name of the new Covid-19 variant now making its way around the globe. As of this writing, no cases have been reported in the United States, but it’s likely that this new Covid strain will infect a bunch of Americans by the time you read this. Not much is known about this variant except it mutates with apparent ease. I’m fully vaccinated and I really hope that existing vaccines will protect all of us. If not, I’ll be first in line for another new shot. The deep state microchips implanted in my arm by the injections really improve my mobile and television receptions

Tragically, the most serious public health crisis of our lifetime has become a political football. Social media, cable TV and opportunistic politicians have a vested interest (money and votes) in stoking the fires of misinformation and division, and sadly, a lot of folks are buying into this stinky poo. To be clear, I see this on both political extremes, the left and the right. When ordinary folks (real people) get together face to face, they broadly agree that Covid should be treated as the deadly health issue that it is and not a test of political purity. So, to any media troll and whack-a-doodle politician who may see this rant, please just shut up. America’s health is more important than your bank account.

A major reason that I’m so feisty about this issue is that Covid makes my work for you so very difficult. The Minnesota House of Representatives has already announced that it will meet virtually in 2022. The Senate will undoubtedly impose some limitations on public access to the State Capitol. Lobbying has by in large been reduced to Zoom, email and text. Very little seems to get done. Snowmobiling is important to Minnesota’s economy and quality of life. We need to get stuff done to protect our sport and we do it best face-to-face.

Despite the limits on access, we hope to get stuff done in 2022. Our chances for success will be greatly increased if we can get a

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handle on the Covid virus. I have already had a productive Zoom conversation with a House chairperson and with several Senators face to face. I have attended several in-person fundraisers. The MnUSA legislative agenda is both ambitious and important. One thing that Covid doesn’t disrupt is the problems facing Minnesota snowmobilers. Over the next few columns, I will highlight one of our legislative priorities. The first issue is the growing problem of trespass off of designated trails onto private property.

I will confess that perhaps maybe once upon a time I might have spotted a great snow stash off the trail a bit and proceeded to play in it. I suspect we all have. At the time, I didn’t understand that it was against the law and how angry our landowners could become. I now know better. Trespass on private land by snowmobilers (and others) has become a huge problem in Minnesota and throughout the snowbelt. Landowners are revoking trail permits resulting in re-routing the trails or worse. MnUSA, in cooperation with the DNR, will again be pushing a bill to put some teeth into existing penalties for illegal trespass. Other motorized recreation groups, including ATV Minnesota, are supporting this legislation. It is a common sense bi-partisan bill that deserves enactment into law.