Community Corner

Abortion Restrictions Pass Minnesota Senate

Democrats said Republicans should focus on closing the state's $5 billion budget deficit.

Debate over abortion again reared its head in the Republican-controlled Minnesota legislature.

A Republican bill that would restrict abortions after 20 weeks, except in the case of extreme medical need, passed the Senate Monday 42-24. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton is expected to veto the measure.

State Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) opposed the bill. He said it's an intrusion into people's private lives. 

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"We have a proposal here that would substitute government and other people's judgement for those most personal private aspects of people's lives and their families," Dibble said in the debate. "Why would we have the long arm of government (bring) criminal sanctions? It is incredibly absurd."

Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) said the abortion proposal was yet another distraction from the $5 billion state budget deficit, on which Republican leaders and the governor are currently deadlocked.

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"This legislation is very similar to legislation that has been passed in the Minnesota legislature in the past and has been found unconstitutional," she said in the floor debate. "This would likely end up in court if it is passed and signed [...] by ending up in court it will mean that it will cost taxpayers money to litigate this again."

The Minnesota legislative session ends May 23.


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