Leg. Update: Dettmer on Veterans Bill, Civil Air Patrol, Second Amendment & Wrestling

Editor’s Note: The following is a news release from Rep. Bob Dettmer’s (R-Forest Lake). Dettmer represents the Stillwater area in Minnesota House District 39A.

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Supporting Veterans Legislation

I’m happy to report that one of my bills (HF88) will be heard in the House Public Safety Committee this week and would provide working opportunities for military veterans that have a prior criminal offense but have served our country honorably.

Under current law, many veterans that have a conviction on their record before they serve in the military are automatically disqualified from public jobs after they return.

If a veteran serves honorably and is rehabilitated through service to their country, they should eligible for public jobs when they return. I’ve worked closely with the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC) of Minnesota on this issue.

Additionally, the Military Action Group (MAG), which I co-chair, is working directly with the Minnesota Sports Facility Commission to encourage the Minnesota Vikings to hire veteran-owned businesses for various elements of construction on the new stadium.

The new stadium will be an asset for all of Minnesota and if there are opportunities to contract with companies operated by veterans, it’s a win-win.

These are just a few of the many proposals I’m working hard to pass on behalf of our men and women that have served. Please read this article from the Stillwater Patch about that work.

Benefit for the Outdoors

I attended the MN Outdoor Heritage Alliance (MOHA) annual Legislative Banquet on Tuesday night in St. Paul. Hosted by Minnesota Bound’s Ron Schara, the event was a spectacular opportunity for state leaders to come together in honor of hunting, fishing, trapping and conservation efforts in Minnesota.

Legislative Squadron of Civil Air Patrol

On Wednesday I was officially presented my membership certificate in the MN Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Legislative Squadron by Col. Brent Halweg, Minnesota Wing Commander and Col. Kevin Sliwinski, MN Wing Government Relations Advisor, at the State Office Building. The St. Croix Squadron is based out of Lake Elmo Airport.

Supporting 2nd Amendment Rights

As you may have heard, gun-related bills are continuing to be heard at the Capitol, this time in the Minnesota Senate.

I have been contacted by many of you regarding these issues and I believe that there is ample support from both sides of the aisle to defeat these unnecessary proposals that only infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Supporting Wrestling

Many of you know I have strong ties to Wrestling from my days as a young athlete to my time coaching. Last week I led a group of lawmakers in support of a House Resolution calling on the IOC to reconsider their decision to drop Wrestling as an Olympic event.

You can read more about it here. I will be officiating the 6AAA individual tournament this weekend at Mound-Westonka High School.