Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, I am pleased to dedicate this week's newsletter with some rare but welcome news—our friends on the other side of the aisle are finally coming to their senses regarding spending! Over the weekend, House Republicans and House Democrats reached an agreement on a budget framework that delivers the largest total spending reduction in state history—a whopping $3.9 billion cut compared to the current budget. This is a huge step in the right direction after Democrats burned through an $18 billion surplus, jacked up taxes by $10 billion, and ballooned government spending by 40%—all in just two years. While we can’t clean up this fiscal mess overnight, this agreement makes serious progress, cutting $2.6 billion from the projected 2028-2029 budget deficit, slashing it from $6 billion down to $2.2 billion. House Republicans stood firm against tax hikes and fought to right-size government—keeping it lean, efficient, and focused on delivering the core services Minnesotans actually rely on. Given the divided nature of the House, this budget deal is a win for fiscal responsibility and a crucial step toward a more sustainable financial future for Minnesota. We’ll keep fighting to ensure taxpayers come first—not reckless spending. Stay tuned, and as always, i’ll keep you posted! Throwback to the Class of '85 & a Great Visit to Watertown-Mayer! What a fantastic visit today to Watertown-Mayer! It was so great to reconnect with the school, chat with students and staff, and see all the incredible things happening in our community. And yes, I’m proudly repping the Class of 1985! (Proof that some things just get better with age, right?) It was a real treat to be back in familiar territory and talk about the bright future we’re building together.     Please Reach Out!I am beyond grateful for your continued support and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent you. I am so excited to begin this work for you—let's make Minnesota a better place to live for all people! Warm regards, Rep. Joe McDonald
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 29A |