Dear Friend and Neighbor,
I am honored to serve you in the Minnesota Senate. With the 2026 legislative session underway, I would like to share my focus for this year. Though it’s a new session, nothing will change for me in the way I will be working together with all parties, as has been my custom. I believe that citizens want balance and cooperation in their government.
I always aim to bridge divides and find common ground, as honorable compromise is key to accomplishing the work Minnesotans sent us to the Capitol to do. This is how government should work: drawing the best ideas from all parties and making our cities and state a great place to call home.
As the session continues, we must focus on what truly matters. We need to strengthen our families, help Minnesotans with the high cost of living, and tackle the challenges in education and health care. The government must be held accountable for delivering results and eliminating waste, fraud, and the abuse of state tax dollars.
Your thoughts and ideas help me do a better job for you, so please don’t be shy to share them. Together, we can make a difference.
Warmly,
Senator Jim Abeler
Education
Families, teachers, and school leaders all want schools where every child can learn and grow. Schools need the resources and parental and educator support to help all students succeed. Academic success starts in the classroom. Schools must have flexibility to focus on student needs and support academic excellence, especially in reading by third grade and in math, history, and science.
Partnerships with families and teachers are essential. Parents are a child’s first teachers, and collaboration strengthens learning. Attracting and retaining high-quality teachers is essential. Schools also need to maintain safe, supportive learning environments where students can learn without distraction or risk.
Fraud
Minnesotans want to help people in need, not those motivated by greed. Minnesotans are generous people, but fraud breaks that trust. Not one dollar should be wasted or stolen. Minnesota is now known for large-scale fraud that seems to surface daily, amounting to multiple billions of dollars over the past decade. Those stolen tax dollars have robbed our neighbors in need and our hardworking families who take money from their tight budgets to pay taxes.
State auditors have repeatedly found weak oversight at the Department of Human Services. I chaired hearings on widespread fraud back in 2017 and 2018, investigating childcare and personal care attendants. Whistleblowers warned that losses could reach $100 million a year. The Administration then was disinterested and has only recently taken it seriously. If you want to watch those 2017 and 2018 hearings, visit HERE.
We need to stop fraud by preventing it before it happens. That means holding programs and providers accountable, increasing oversight, protecting whistleblowers, stiffening penalties for fraudsters, and prohibiting grant recipients from donating to political candidates. If you become aware of any fraud or suspicious use of state funds, please contact our office.
Affordability
Minnesota needs to be a place where families can afford to live, work, and build a future. Minnesota families work hard to provide for today and prepare for tomorrow. When everyday costs rise faster than paychecks, it puts pressure on families and limits opportunity.
State policies play a real role in affordability. Taxes, fees, and layers of state rules increase the cost of housing, energy, and basic necessities. These decisions affect household budgets and make it harder for families to plan, save, and get ahead. Meaningful tax relief, including limiting property tax increases, will allow people to keep more of what they earn. Supporting paths to homeownership and savings can build wealth. State government must live within its means, just like families have to.
Health Care
Minnesotans struggle with the high cost of health care. Monthly premiums, network rules, and high costs create unnecessary challenges. Our state has been known for its high-quality health care. Today, it is harder for Minnesotans to find affordable and quality care near home.
Often insurance denies coverage or gives surprise billing after the fact. Insurance companies need to be held accountable. And there should be no surprises. We need to improve our system so it works for those who need care.