Legislative UpdateDear Friends, With just a few months left in the legislative session, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Minnesota is facing a projected $6 billion deficit, yet Democrats continue to double down on the reckless tax and spending policies that created this mess. Meanwhile, they have also refused to stand up for Minnesotans’ right to self-defense, blocking common-sense legislation that would role back a MN Supreme Court Decision that makes it nearly impossible to defend yourself without a high risk of you as the victim being charged with a crime. At the Capitol, I’m working to restore fiscal responsibility, protect public safety, and fight for real solutions that put Minnesotans first. Whether it’s standing up for your right to self-defense, ensuring veterans’ issues are treated with the respect they deserve, or working to rein in wasteful government spending, I am committed to delivering real results, not political games. Read on for updates on key issues and what to expect in the weeks ahead. As always, I appreciate your input and encourage you to reach out with your thoughts. Restoring Minnesotans’ Right to Self-DefenseEvery Minnesotan should have the right to defend themselves and their loved ones without fear of prosecution for making a split-second decision in a dangerous situation. However, a recent Minnesota Supreme Court ruling has made self-defense even more difficult, expanding the duty to retreat to include even the mere threat of force—a dangerous overreach that puts victims at greater risk. That’s why I introduced House File 13, which would eliminate the duty to retreat when using reasonable force in self-defense or in defense of others. Nowhere in Minnesota law does it require a victim to flee before defending themselves—this was a court-created requirement, not something passed by the Legislature. Even former DFL Speaker Paul Thissen, now a Supreme Court Justice, dissented from the ruling, stating that it is “divorced from the statutory text and unprecedented in the United States.” Under this ruling, a woman walking home alone at night wouldn’t even be allowed to grip her keys defensively between her fingers without risking legal consequences. Minnesotans shouldn’t have to weigh the possibility of legal jeopardy while fighting for their lives. HF 13 clarifies that when someone is lawfully acting in self-defense, they are not required to determine whether retreat is possible—something nearly impossible to do in a high-stress encounter. Unfortunately, Democrats blocked this bill on the House Floor, voting against the right of Minnesotans to protect themselves. I will continue fighting to restore this fundamental right and ensure that our laws protect law-abiding citizens—not criminals. Minnesota’s Budget Crisis: Democrats Spent Us Into a DeficitMinnesota’s budget outlook continues to worsen, and Democrats have no one to blame but themselves. Just last November, state officials projected a $5.2 billion deficit by 2028—a direct result of two years of reckless Democrat control. They spent every penny of the record-high $18 billion surplus, raised $10 billion in new taxes, and expanded state government by 40%. Now, the latest forecast is even worse: Minnesota is on track for a $6 billion deficit by 2028-29. Democrats will try to shift the blame, pointing fingers at the federal government or economic conditions, but the truth is this deficit was already sitting at $5.2 billion in November of last year before Trump took office, and as of today, Congress has not passed any new budget or tax policies. This is the Democrats' deficit. Their out-of-control spending and massive tax hikes have left Minnesota in financial disarray, forcing taxpayers to cover the bill for their poor decisions. Instead of prioritizing responsible budgeting and cutting waste, they have created a structural deficit that will impact every Minnesotan for years to come. Minnesotans deserve better fiscal management and real accountability. We cannot afford to keep spending money we don’t have while hardworking families and small businesses struggle under the weight of rising costs. I will continue to push for common-sense budgeting that puts taxpayers first and reins in wasteful government spending before Minnesota’s financial situation gets even worse. Looking AheadWith Minnesota’s budget forecast showing a $6 billion deficit, we have a lot of work to do in the final two and a half months of session to get our state back on track. Here are a few things to watch in the coming weeks: 1. Budget Targets – As Minnesota’s fiscal situation worsens, it’s critical that we work toward a responsible budget that reins in spending across all policy areas. Soon, each committee will begin setting budget targets for this year’s spending bills, and fiscal discipline will be more important than ever. 2. Veterans Omnibus Bill – Veteran issues should never be tied up in partisan politics. In the past, funding for veterans’ programs has been lumped into massive omnibus bills, forcing lawmakers to vote on unrelated policies just to support veterans. This year, we are committed to passing a stand-alone Veterans Omnibus Bill, ensuring that veterans’ priorities are voted on separately—without being used as political leverage. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I will continue fighting for fiscal responsibility, common-sense policies, and a government that works for Minnesotans. Have a good weekend, |