In support of MN State Representative David Fitzsimmons

As the Republican Precinct Caucuses approach I feel it is important to provide clarification on misinformation and misunderstandings around a particular piece of legislation that was passed by the Minnesota legislature in 2013. The same sex marriage bill was passed by both the House and the Senate. The House the bill, HF1054 passed by a 75 – 59 margin (it only needed 68 to pass).  Representative David Fitzsimmons, House District 30B, which is the Albertville, Dayton, Hanover, Otsego, St. Michael area, authored an amendment to the bill that is intended to insulate our places of worship from civil lawsuits if they refuse to perform same sex marriage ceremonies.

There have been individuals and organizations that have spread inaccurate information about Rep. Fitzsimmons’ rationale for the vote he cast on this bill. The truth is:

1. Representative Fitzsimmons’ vote came after the Democrats in the House already had enough votes to pass the bill. His vote was NOT the deciding vote on the bill. No Republican vote passed the bill. HF 1054 would have passed whether Representative Fitzsimmons voted for it or not.

"Subd. 3.  Refusal to participate or support solemnization; protection of religious belief.  (a) Except for secular business activities engaged in by a religious association, religious corporation, or religious society, the conduct of which is unrelated to the religious and educational purposes for which it is organized, no religious association, religious corporation, or religious society shall be required to provide goods or services at the solemnization or celebration of any civil marriage or be subject to civil liability or any action by the state that penalizes, fines, or withholds any benefit to the religious association, religious corporation, or religious society under the laws of this state, including, but not limited to, laws regarding tax exempt status, for failing or refusing to provide goods or services at the solemnization or celebration of any civil marriage, if providing such goods or services would cause the religious association, religious corporation, or religious society to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs.”

For those that feel he betrayed his constituents, you are mistaken. As you participate on February 4 at your precinct caucus, I want every person seeking a delegate spot in 30B to realize that your current representative, David Fitzsimmons, is a tremendous legislator who was a key force in getting funding for the I94 expansion to St. Michael, voted against all of the DFL tax bills, voted against the MNSure bill and voted against the efforts to unionize private daycare providers. Do not be tricked by misinformation and politically motivated rhetoric about his vote on HF 1054. Instead of simply accepting the inevitable and voting “no”, he thoroughly researched the matter, seeking help from extremely well-informed advisors, both here and in Washington D.C., and tried to do something that would curtail some of the potential damage the bill could create. If you do not think it made a difference locally, I know that the largest Lutheran congregation in Buffalo referenced Rep. Fitzsimmons’ amendment as the reason they were able to make the decision to not celebrate same sex marriages in their church. Marriage is, after all, a religious institution while a civil union is strictly secular.

Please support David Fitzsimmons at the upcoming Precinct Caucuses and support a gifted, intelligent and courageous legislator, qualities that are often lacking in our legislators.

Sincerely,

Jameson Wakefield

Buffalo