Minnesota Family Council Action Alert 2008 session closes with several pro-marriage, pro-family victories Your calls and emails made the difference! May 21, 2008   CLICK HERE to thank Gov. Tim Pawlenty for his opposition to these bills   The 2008 legislative session came to an end with the defeat of several anti-marriage, anti-family bills including mandatory comprehensive sex education, gestational surrogacy, local government authority to redefine family and grant same-sex marriage benefits for homosexual partners and medical marijuana.   Gestational Surrogacy A bill to legalize gestational surrogacy, or baby selling, was vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty.  The governor's veto echoed MFC’s position that the bill “fails in any manner to recognize or protect the life and rights of the unborn child.”  He also shared our concerns about allowing compensation beyond actual pregnancy related expenses.   Mandatory Comprehensive Sex Education Several attempts were made to force Minnesota public schools to promote comprehensive or condom-based sex education to children in grades 7-12.   This would have also lead to the promotion and acceptance of homosexuality in the public schools.  MFC opposed these bills because they virtually ignore abstinence and promote condoms and unhealthy behavior.   The democrat controlled House and Senate passed mandatory comprehensive sex education early in the session and placed it in the Education Omnibus bill.  It was removed however, after a veto threat from Gov. Tim Pawlenty.   MFC lobbied against gestational surrogacy and comprehensive sex education including mobilizing thousands of calls into the Governors office to veto the bills.   Local Government Units to Establish Domestic Partner Benefits – (Same-Sex Marriage) A bill to authorize Minnesota cities, counties and schools to redefine family by granting marriage benefits to homosexual parents of public employees was also vetoed by Gov. Pawlenty.   OutFront Minnesota, a homosexual activist group, lobbied hard to pass this bill as an incremental approach to establish marriage-like status for homosexual couples.    Medical Marijuana A bill to legalize growing and selling marijuana for medicinal purposes died in the state House.  It also faced a veto threat by Gov. Pawlenty.  MFC opposes the bill because it’s an incremental step toward full legalization of marijuana, a dangerous drug, and would make existing drugs laws more difficult to enforce.  It also would have circumvented the FDA’s drug safety approval process.   Thank you for standing with us to successfully defend the family against another round of attacks in the legislative arena.  We couldn't have done it without you! Sincerely,   John Helmberger, CEO Minnesota Family Council Click Here to make a donation to the Minnesota Family Council / Minnesota Family Institute. _______________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from our alerts, please return this message with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Note: Please allow up to two weeks for the changes to take effect Help expand our reach by forwarding this email to like-minded family and friends. Minnesota Family Council, 2855 Anthony Lane S, Suite 150,Minneapolis, MN 55418 1-612-789-8811  www.mfc.org Copyright © 2008, Minnesota Family Council