Greetings from the Capitol
Friends and Neighbors,
As we dive into the latter part of the legislative session, we’re heading into longer floor sessions and a busier pace here in St. Paul. From the Governor’s State of the State Address to the rollout of omnibus bills, along with lighter moments like family and friends visiting, there’s been plenty happening at the Capitol. The decisions being made now will have a lasting impact on our state, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to keep you informed and share what we’ve been working on this week. Let’s jump in!
State of the State
This week, Governor Tim Walz delivered his State of the State Address, highlighting his priorities for the year. While his focus was largely on federal policy, the real challenges we face are right here in Minnesota.
Over the past two years, Republicans have been excluded from key discussions, and we are now seeing the consequences. We are facing a projected $6 billion budget deficit, and the governor’s proposed solution appears to shift much of that burden onto Minnesota taxpayers and local governments, with over $500 million being passed down to the counties. This approach is not sustainable. We need to prioritize and address our state’s challenges in a more thoughtful and effective manner.
One area where we can find common ground is waste, fraud, and abuse within state systems. After six years of concern, the governor is finally acknowledging the issue, but we’ve been advocating for action on this front for quite some time. It’s now time to implement solutions.
Our commitment is clear. We will continue to prioritize the well-being of Minnesotans. This means ensuring that our children receive the best possible education, that our streets remain safe, and that Minnesota continues to be a state where people want to live and work. We must always keep Minnesotans at the center of our efforts.
State Legislature Omnibus Bills
This week the Senate began passing the opening round of budget proposals, and I wanted to give you a quick update. While I was proud to support a bipartisan bill that helps Minnesota veterans, I opposed most of these bills because they miss the mark for Minnesota families.
Here’s a brief rundown:
Education Policy bill: Adds new requirements for schools without addressing any of the concerns that school officials brought to us, like budget-crushing mandates, safety, teacher shortages, and local control. Democrats voted against a Republican amendment to protect girls’ sports.
Commerce Budget and Policy bill: The commerce bill boils down to more fees for families and businesses, and less real protection for consumers. The bill adds new costs, like health insurance mandate evaluations that weaken oversight and increase premiums.
Veterans Budget and Policy bill: Passed with strong bipartisan support after important changes were made to protect veterans’ choice in applying for benefits. Some concerns remain about language dealing with the veteran status of local Hmong who fought in the Secret War in Laos.
Housing and Homelessness Prevention Budget bill: Spends nearly $180 million without tackling root causes of high housing costs. A rent control amendment was also added to the bill – a policy that has not worked anywhere it’s been tried.
Thank you for trusting me to represent you. I’ll keep working to put Minnesota families first, and hopefully we will find a few more bright spots in the next batch of budget bills.
Sincerely,