by Anthony Gockowski
One of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s agency heads expressed his “deep disagreement” with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in a staff-wide email Friday.
“I know that for so many of you, in particular women in our agency, this is a very difficult day. My heart is with you, and I share a deep disagreement with the court’s decision today,” Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove wrote from his state email address to all agency staff, according to an email obtained by Alpha News.
Grove, a Walz appointee, then shared with his employees a statement from the governor.
“Let me be very clear: This ruling changes nothing in Minnesota today, tomorrow, or as long as I am governor. We will not turn back the clock on reproductive rights. Minnesotans deserve to decide for themselves when to make the most important decision of their lives — whether or not to become a parent,” that statement reads in part.
Grove concluded his email by acknowledging that there are a “variety of opinions on the topic of abortion.”
“No matter what your opinion on Roe v. Wade, you belong here at DEED. On a day like today when emotions are high and rights are at stake, I think it’s important to reach out to one another and double down on our commitment to be One DEED,” he said.
Friday’s Supreme Court decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization puts an end to 50 years of federal protections for abortion, clearing the way for states to restrict or ban the practice. The decision in itself does not make abortion illegal but allows states to set their own laws.
“We therefore hold that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. Roe and Casey must be overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion must be returned to the people and their elected representatives,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.
In response to the decision, several companies are offering to pay for their employees’ travel expenses to get abortions, including Disney, DICK’s Sporting Goods, PayPal, and others.
DEED did not respond to a request for comment.
– – –
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and reported for The Daily Caller.
Photo “Steve Grove” by Steve Grove. Background Photo “United States Supreme Court” by Joe Ravi. CC BY-SA 3.0.
