There are roughly five weeks left before the Minnesota Legislature is constitutionally required to adjourn for 2026, so it feels like a good time to step back and share where things stand and, honestly, to share some of my frustration with the year so far.
I talk to people around the district every day, and two things come up over and over again: the cost of living and fraud. Unfortunately, neither of these issues feels like a priority in the Minnesota Senate.
Minnesota is a high cost of living state. It’s one of the highest taxed states in the country. Our license tab fees are the highest in the region. Property taxes have climbed because the state has shifted costs and unfunded mandates onto local governments and school districts, forcing them to make up the difference on the backs of homeowners. People's paychecks simply do not go as far here as they do in other states.
It is all too easy to respond to these struggles by pointing fingers at the federal government but the fact is that decisions made by leaders right here in Minnesota created these challenges. In 2023 and 2024 alone, the legislature raised taxes by $10 billion, increased state spending by 40%, and blew through an entire $18 billion surplus without providing people with any substantial relief. Many of us urged caution at the time, but we were ignored. Minnesotans are now feeling the consequences of those decisions.
Then there is the fraud problem. Roughly $9 billion, and perhaps more, has been stolen from programs designed to help children, people with disabilities, and families in crisis. Legitimate providers have been caught up in it and are fighting to protect their reputations. And worst of all, vulnerable people have lost access to services they depend on.
I remember talking about fraud a decade ago, but consecutive governors have ignored the issue. In the Senate, many of us have proposed improvements like guardrails, better verification, and stronger accountability measures yet these common sense fraud prevention measures have been blocked by the majority party.
One issue we were able to find agreement on was an independent Office of Inspector General. It passed the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote and could even be sent to the governor tomorrow, if House Democrats would agree. Even Gov. Walz has included the Office of Inspector General in his proposal this year, unfortunately his version strips out enforcement authority – the thing most needed.
With barely more than a month left before our May 18 constitutionally required adjournment date, the issues my constituents have most asked me about remain unaddressed. Almost nothing on affordability. Nothing on fraud. Nothing of any significance that will help make life easier or more affordable for people in our district.
We have, however, made progress on two issues:
- School Bus Stop Arm Safety: An appeals court ruling last year created a gray area around when drivers must stop for stop-arms. We unanimously passed a bill that closed that loophole by tying the stop requirement to the bus's flashing red lights.
- MnDOT Cost Share with Local Governments: As a result of a bill we passed last year, MnDOT will cap how much local governments can be required to pay on MnDOT-initiated trunk highway projects. This was a bill I sponsored, and it will protect communities from being handed massive bills for state road projects they didn't ask for.
Here are a few other issues I am still working on:
- Affordability, including tax relief for social security benefits, the child tax credit, estate tax relief, and pass-through entity tax relief.
- The Preserving Girls Sports Act. The NCAA and the International Olympic Committee both now support reserving athletic participation in girls sports for girls. Minnesota should too.
- Fraud prevention, detection, and accountability.
- Bonding for critical infrastructure that our region badly needs, including Highway 14 safety improvements at CSAH 3 and CSAH 5, Stewartville 15th Ave NE, town roads and bridges.
We have much work to do on key issues, but there is still enough time to make a real difference if we, as a legislature, can find the will to do it.
What I know for certain is that Minnesotans are watching, which is a great thing. This state is at its best when people are engaged, involved, and actively trying to shape the direction we are heading.
If you have any feedback or ideas, I would love to hear them. Please reach out any time at sen.carla.nelson@mnsenate.gov. It is my privilege to be your voice in the Senate.
Sincerely,
Senator Carla Nelson