Friends,
Today is the first day of May, meaning we have less than three weeks remaining of the 2026 session. So far, the Senate has still not passed any bills that would deal with the affordability crisis and Minnesota’s high cost of living. Senate Democrats have not prioritized any bills to stop the rampant fraud or hold any administration officials accountable, nor have they prioritized any bills to give relief to local governments and schools that have been crushed by Democrat mandates over the last few years.
Instead, Senate Democrats continue to prioritize giveaways to their allies and activists.
On Thursday, for example, the Senate passed a bill that takes $100 million from an economic development fund and creates a grant program for businesses that say they were hurt by protests and boycotts --- protests and boycotts that were organized and encouraged by Democrats.
I have already heard from many of you about this, and I want you to know I had the same reaction. This is a reckless use of taxpayer dollars and a waste of the limited time remaining this session. I voted against this proposal.
A similar grant program passed after the 2020 riots is now under full audit by the Office of the Legislative Auditor after media investigations uncovered businesses that may not have qualified, recipients who could not be reached, and at least one company that received nearly $50,000 in grant money even though the state had already revoked its license. The program's author insisted in February there was "no fraud." We’re going to find out soon.
For this new program, Republicans did try to improve the bill a few ways. We tried to add amendments requiring basic guardrails, like confirming businesses are in good standing, checking eligibility beyond just asking applicants to vouch for themselves, and making sure funds don't go to people in the country illegally. Democrats rejected those amendments.
Thankfully, with a tied House, House Republicans will not take up this proposal. That reality makes its movement in the Senate feel more like a messaging exercise than a serious policy effort as the session nears its end.
The real State of the State
Governor Walz gave his final State of the State address this week. It came just hours after federal investigators executed more than 20 search warrants across the Twin Cities as part of ongoing fraud investigations into businesses and childcare centers. As Gov. Walz nears the end of his tenure, it’s clear that rampant fraud will be his legacy.
When Gov. Walz took office in 2019, the state budget was around $45.5 billion. The current budget is about $66 billion --- an increase of more than $20 billion over six years. That unsustainable growth came when Democrats had total control of government in 2023 and 2024.
What do we have to show for it? Higher property taxes, higher sales taxes, higher income taxes. Higher fees. Excessive and unnecessary mandates on schools and local governments. And fraud scandal after fraud scandal after fraud scandal.
Minnesota can do better, and it is time to refocus on accountability, affordability, and responsible budgeting.
Punished for flying the real state flag?
You may have heard House Democrats introduced a bill that would cut local government aid for any city or county that flies the real, true Minnesota flag. Several cities and counties across Minnesota have already formally voted to keep flying the old flag on city property, and it’s likely more are coming.
Back in 2023, Democrats used their total control of government to create a new commission to design a new state flag and seal. They formed it in such a way that whatever design the commission chose would automatically become the official state flag, without any vote by the legislature or public referendum. It was forced into law over the will of most Minnesotans, and now Democrats want to punish communities that are resisting.
Thankfully, House Speaker Lisa Demuth said flatly it has no path forward in the House. If it ever came up for a vote in the Senate, you can count on me to oppose it.
If you have any questions or feedback about the issues we are working on in the Senate, please reach out to me any time. It is a privilege to serve you!
Sincerely,