Dear Friends,
After a 24-day boycott, House Democrats finally returned to work Thursday after reaching an agreement with House Republicans on how the 2025 and 2026 sessions will operate. I am grateful that we can finally get to our full work in the House. There is a lot to do before session gavels out at the end of May! Currently Republicans hold a 67-66 advantage in the chamber. A special election for one open metro area House seat, vacated due to the DFL candidate violating election law, will take place on March 11. This could lead to either a two seat Republican advantage or a 67-67 tie.
Under the current approved agreement, Republican Lisa Demuth will serve as Speaker of the House, with basically full Speaker authority, for both the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. Republicans will also hold a minimum of a one seat advantage on all House committees and sole committee chairs, at least until the results of the House District 40B seat in Roseville are certified.
A new, and much-touted, House committee that’s designed to shine a light on years of fraud within state government will also be put in place. The Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee will begin holding hearings Monday into the massive fraud issues that have run rampant during Governor Walz’s tenure. With more than $1 billion – that we know about – being stolen due to fraudulent activity in our state, Republicans and Democrats alike should celebrate that we are taking a significant step to root out fraud and hold criminals accountable.
I’m pleased both sides were able to work out an agreement. Now we need to make up for lost time. As lawmakers need to set the state’s budget this year, there is plenty of work ahead of us, and I’m ready to get started.
Have a good weekend,
Peggy