There were two legislative hearings on HF 1234 and SF 1959 this morning.  While it is true that both bills advanced through their respective committees, it is also clear that resistance to these bills within the legislature is mounting and questions are being asked – the same questions we have been asking for the last month and cracks are forming in the arguments for this legislation.  This is a direct result of your ceaseless efforts to reach out to your legislators.  As Representative Marion O’Neill (R) Maple Lake stated during the hearing in the House “I just wanted to have a fuller understanding of this as we all have just gotten a flood of e-mails about it, it’s a very hot issue.” Contrast that with a month ago when no one seemed to know about these bills or who we were.  

We will not take our foot off the gas!  Yes, we are fighting an uphill battle and have been since the beginning, but today’s hearings represent a small victory for duty disabled first responders in Minnesota.  We are building momentum and we will continue to move the needle.

Last but not least, a huge thank you to Nancy and Ryan Herington.  Nancy was the only person from MNDDA allowed to testify in the Senate hearing and she did an incredible job carrying the banner for us.

Please take the time to view the videos from the hearings. Although you may find some statements frustrating to hear, you will also find others to be heartening and supportive.