Legislative Update
Friends,
This week, to my surprise, our DFL colleagues have decided to return to work.
While I can’t say for certain what exactly motivated their decision, I believe public pressure played a significant role. As a result, negotiations began moving forward and, after much discussion, an organizing agreement was concluded late Wednesday night.
This agreement allowed us to elect Lisa Demuth as Speaker of the House for the entire biennium and granted House Republicans control over all committees. As a result, I will continue to serve as chair of the Environmental Committee for at least the next five weeks. Additionally, Republicans will lead the Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee, which will be investigating state government programs. Republicans will chair this committee for the next two years and hold a 5-3 voting majority over Democrats.
We will maintain this arrangement pending the outcome of the special election in Roseville. If the Democrats win that election and the seat returns to them, we will share control over committees, but Speaker Demuth will continue to stay on as House Speaker for the next two years – ensuring Republicans can provide an essential balance in Minnesota’s political future.
Though the legislature is officially organized today, the real work began on January 14th. In the time since then, I’ve had numerous meetings with constituents, local leaders, and others who are concerned about the challenges arising from past legislation like increased taxes, rising fees, inflation, and overregulation. These are issues I am personally committed to addressing, especially in the area of permitting.
As we move forward, I sincerely hope that Democrats will join Republicans in tackling these pressing issues. The recent shift in political leadership—culminating in the election of a Republican Speaker—reflects the will of the voters, and it’s essential that we pass a budget that aligns with this new political reality.
In the weeks ahead, you can expect to see legislation aimed at benefiting families and job creators, while also protecting our natural resources and upholding the traditional values of Greater Minnesota. We’ll be introducing bills to lower taxes, reduce waste, and expose fraud in meaningful ways.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to address the many concerns facing our state and to ensure that the voices of Minnesotans are heard.
Sincerely,
Josh