Dear friends and neighbors, I hope this message finds you well as we wrap up another busy week in St. Paul. I'm happy to share that the weeks-long standstill has finally come to an end. On Wednesday evening, a deal was reached between the House GOP and DFL leadership, which means we officially had quorum for our first floor session on Thursday. With this progress, our committees will begin meeting again next week. Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) Early in the week, I had the honor of speaking on a panel for the Minnesota Housing Partnership. As Chair of the Housing Committee, I’ve been working on legislation to tackle the housing crisis we’re currently facing. This issue is one I take very seriously, and I’m committed to ongoing conversations about the housing market, as well as advancing legislation that addresses the most pressing challenges. By creating affordable, diverse housing options, we can build stable homes—which lead to stronger families, communities, and ultimately, a stronger state. Bill UpdatesNow that an agreement has been reached and our colleagues from the Democratic caucus are joining us in the House, my focus remains on collaboration. I’m committed to finding ways to move forward in the best interests of all Minnesotans. I am actively meeting with working groups on housing and energy, where we are carefully crafting legislation that will address these critical issues. Additionally, I’ve been holding meetings with constituents and external organizations at the Capitol to hear about their experiences and the challenges they face. These conversations are vital in helping me stay informed about the issues that matter most, so we can work together to take meaningful action. With committees reconvening next week, bills will begin to be introduced again. I look forward to keeping you updated on the progress of my bills as they move through the House.  I stayed in St. Paul through this afternoon to get my bills into the hopper. This means that they will be up for introduction next week. BudgetA major agenda item for this session is passing the state budget, which we do every other year. The budget we pass this year will be in effect for the next two years, until a new one is needed in 2027. Our working groups have been focusing on preparing a preliminary budget and assessing where we stand after the budget passed two years ago. We are also reviewing Governor Walz’s recent budget proposal as we consider what direction we want to take for this year’s budget. Taking the time to evaluate the governor’s proposal has helped us better prepare for the upcoming discussions with our Democratic colleagues in committee next week, as we work together to finalize the budget. As always, I am here working for you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. |