The Minority Republicans in the Minnesota House are attempting a de facto fillibuster by tying up debate on the
Safer Schools Act. The bill has already passed the State Senate. Since the motion is to concur, it is expected to pass the House and be signed by the Governor Mark Dayton.
Minnesota State Rep. Mary Franson was quick to stand up for the rights of the Religious Right to impose their religious beliefs upon those they do not like for their "lifestyle".
Video
From WCCO
But Republican critics call the bill (HF826) social engineering, and worse. They are comparing the tougher law to Hitler, Duck Dynasty, and George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984.”
“Fascism, Minnesota style,” said Rep. Mary Franson (R–Alexandria).”HF826 is simply another attack on the Bible and conservative Christians.”
GOP lawmakers say free speech is getting bullied, by a national gay rights lobby. That’s because the bill specifically defines bullying to include attacks on a student’s sexual orientation or gender identification.
Glen Gruenhagen, another Conservative Rep brought forth an argument about Kinsey and perversion:
“That is a direct pipeline for this type of perverted curriculum which, if you showed it to a child 10 years old outside a public school grounds, you could be charged with obscenity crimes,” said Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen (R-Glencoe).
Other arguments brought forward by the MNGOP involve perversion, Kinsey, Hitler, Hogan's heroes, the Salem Witch Trials, and George Orwell.
The serious matter at hand is there are thousands of students who are bullied at school. Many State administrators are not properly equipped to deal with new technology issues, such as cyber bullying. A few students have committed suicide over the bullying.
DFL Rep Ryan Winkler has lived tweeted the 7+ hour debate with some witty snarky tweets.
Snarking in the point of view as a GOP'er: