Legislative Update from Rep. Bianca Virnig

Neighbors,  

Last week, a special election in Roseville confirmed something most of us have known since last November: voters delivered a tied Minnesota House of Representatives. 

DFL Rep.-elect David Gottfried will join us in the Minnesota House today, returning the body to an even 67-67 split. The bipartisan power-sharing agreement my DFL colleagues and I fought for ensures that the governing of the House will now reflect that tie, with committees having balanced membership and DFL and GOP co-chairs. 

This means that bills don’t only need bipartisan support to pass the House - as has always been the case this session - they now need bipartisan support to even pass committees. Ideally, this would mean that we’re spending less time on hyper-partisan bills that have no chance of passing the House, which has been the case too many times these last few weeks. 

A tied House will be a unique, historic experience. I’m looking forward to turning this new page and focusing on the common-ground solutions that Minnesotans are asking for.

Minnesota Management and Budget recently released its February budget forecast, which shows the budget outlook moving in the wrong direction compared to November’s forecast. The chaos coming out of Washington is impacting this forecast, with inflation expected to climb and tax receipts expected to fall. Tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and corporations and cuts to Medicaid are expected to bring additional negative impacts.    

I know that the forecast is making our community extremely nervous about what the future holds under Trump’s economy. Trump’s regressive economic policies have undermined consumer confidence and forced even more families to live paycheck to paycheck with less breathing room every month.   

I hope the forecast makes House Republicans realize it’s time to stop wasting time playing political theatre on the House Floor with bills that won’t pass and start working with Democrats to craft a budget that benefits all of Minnesota. 

My bills

I’m currently working with Dakota County and the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators on a bill to modernize the IT infrastructure for county human services. The infrastructure in place is currently outdated, resulting in longer wait times for those applying for services. Modernizing this system will help ensure more people get the assistance they qualify for and need.  

I’m also working on legislation to support 988 Lifeline, a suicide support hotline, and 211 United Way, a general health and human services hotline for Minnesotans. These bipartisan bills will ensure these services are available and free for those in need.  

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please do not hesitate to reach out to one or both of these services to find the help you need. 

Constituent Corner

Thank you to everyone who came to visit me in St. Paul and talk to me about the issues that matter most to you. I had a lot of great meetings with folks from our community over the past few weeks. Just to name a few, I had the pleasure of meeting with folks from the Alzheimer’s Association, Federally Qualified Health Centers, school social workers, school districts, advocates for Hunger Relief Day, childcare advocates, housing advocates, and the Minnesota Nurses Association. 

If you’d like to set up a meeting with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.

Recipe of the Week

If you’re like me, the news coming out of Washington has been overwhelming lately. In between calling my congressmembers and working to protect our progress here in Minnesota, one thing that keeps me going is gathering with my family around a good meal at the end of a long day. Food connects us, comforts us, and fuels us to continue to fight extreme MAGA policies that threaten our democracy. In the name of community and longevity of our fight, I want to share some of my favorite recipes that are staples in our household. 

This week’s recipe is in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s my favorite Irish Soda Bread by Penzeys. 

Stay Connected

Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account.    

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out by email at  rep.bianca.virnig@house.mn.gov, or by phone at 651-296-4192. You can contact my Legislative Assistant, Jude, at 651-296-9467.

It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol.    

All my best, 

Bianca Virnig 

State Representative