Friends and neighbors,
As budget negotiations continue at the Capitol, I wanted to give you a quick update on where things stand and why we’re here.
The 2025 “regular” legislative session ended on May 19. The legislature was unable to complete work on the new state budget or make much progress solving $6 billion deficit that Democrats created in 2023 with their hyperpartisan one-party control.
Why couldn’t we get our work done? First, House Democrats wasted the first three weeks of session by refusing to show up to work after they got caught cheating in an election. Once they finally showed up, they continued to prioritize radical agenda items, like taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants instead of seniors and veterans, or significant cost-shifts onto counties that will raise your local property taxes.
On July 1, 2025, state agencies will shut down unless Democrats will compromise and we can finish the new state budget. Layoff notices have already been sent out to state employees.
Since May 19, negotiations have dragged on, mostly behind closed doors. The public and even most legislators have been left in the dark. It is a complete failure of transparency.
Some of the sticking points:
- Democrats have demanded new tax increases and changes to tax aids and credits that will increase property taxes.
- Democrats have refused to provide any relief for schools that are being crushed by costly, unfunded mandates passed by Democrats when they had full control of government.
- Democrats have recommended significant cuts to nursing homes and disability services.
- Democrats continue to suggest shifting massive new costs onto counties to balance the budget. This would drive up property taxes for everyone.
One of the biggest obstacles to getting our work done has been the Democrats’ push to keep giving illegal immigrants free health insurance. In 2023, Democrats’ changed state law to expand MinnesotaCare to cover illegal immigrants. Enrollment exploded to over 17,000, more than twice what they promised, and taxpayers are now on the hook for $550 million and counting. Because the federal government does not pay for illegal immigrants in MinnesotaCare, state taxpayers pay 100 percent of the cost.
Democrats initially refused to budge on this, but after months of pressure, they agreed to our demand to stop free healthcare for adult illegal immigrants. This bill will be passed during a special session, but please stay tuned and watch them carefully to make sure the Democrats do not break their word.
Read the full CAE article here: https://www.americanexperiment.org/dfl-deficit-dflers-fight-to-give-illegal-immigrants-free-healthcare-is-holding-up-budget-deal/
Budget agreements will be posted here as they are reached. I will continue to keep you updated as negotiations unfold. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
God Bless,