As Representative Tim Miller's constituents in Minnesota House District 17A, we're used to receiving his explanations about why he does what he does, but St. Cloud Times columnist Tim Johnson has another explanation.
Boredom, and a need to meddle in something where a problem doesn't exist.
Tim Miller--we'll call him Tim I--sent us a legislative update about his new bill to repeal the trans-inclusive policy adopted by the Minnesota State High School League. Here's part of what he said:
This week I've been working on a bill called the Student Safety and Physical Privacy Act, which seeks to protect the basic physical safety and privacy rights of every Minnesota student.
I believe the bill is necessary due to the Minnesota State High School League's (MSHSL) approval of a "transgender student athlete policy" that would allow biological males to play on girls' sports teams. Not only does this raise questions of competitive fairness in girls' sports, but also of the safety and privacy of all student athletes.
As a dad, grandpa, and former coach, I understand the importance of allowing children to discover who they are and what activities they enjoy. The only way this can occur is within an environment where all kids feel safe, and this bill will protect the privacy, dignity, and opportunities for every student in every sport . . .
The bill requires that bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms in a school be separated based on that athlete's biological sex, while ensuring that schools can continue to meet individual student needs for students who are uncomfortable using the facility that corresponds with their birth sex by providing access to a private or faculty facility. It also ensures that girls' teams will remain only for biological girls.
It's all about the bathrooms, and making sure those boys stay boys.
Tim II has a difference outlook in Legislature needs to stay out of high school activities:
I believe a government smaller than what we have now would be better at both the state and federal levels. So, when I see politicians trying to legislate outside that which is absolutely necessary, I get annoyed.
Over-regulation and the introduction of bills meant to micromanage an ideology are signs of bored politicians. Bored politicians are dangerous.
Several Minnesota politicians got bored last week and introduced HF 1546, which will micromanage the Minnesota State High School League.
The bill is a response to a 2014 MSHSL ruling that will allow transgender girls (who were born as boys but identify as girls) to participate on girls sports teams. My dissent is invigorated by the attempt to make life even more difficult than it already is for transgender kids, but I see no reason to exclude any kid from participating in dance line, football, volleyball, checkers any other game they want to play.
The ruling did not and will not result in naked boys showering with naked girls as fear-mongers might have you believe. Sec. 2. Subd. 3(d) of the proposed law says "Nothing in this section shall prohibit public schools from providing accommodation such as single-occupancy facilities or controlled use of faculty facilities upon a student request due to special circumstances."
If they're not prohibited from doing that now, what's the problem?
The mere introduction of HF 1546 is a waste of resources. We smaller-government types don't like that. . . .
Read the rest at the St. Cloud Times.
Photo: Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg).
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