SAINT PAUL, MN – Representative Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, introduced legislation on Thursday that would reduce the size of the Minnesota legislature from 201 to 75 for terms beginning January 1st, 2023 after the decennial redistricting takes place in 2020.
Under the proposal, Minnesota would be divided into 25 Senate Districts and 50 House Districts.
"Minnesota is the 21st most populous state, yet has the 9th largest legislature," Garofalo said. "This bill would right-size our legislature compared to the rest of the nation, saving taxpayers millions of dollars annually in salary, staff, and legislative expenses for years to come."
"At a time when families are having to cut back and make do with less, legislators can and should be expected to work harder, and represent a larger number of constituents to save valuable taxpayer dollars. Reducing the size of the legislature does not mean reducing representation or responsiveness. Given how quickly constituents are now able to reach their legislators through email, phone calls, and tweets, legislators are more than capable of representing a larger number of constituents."