Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, Time is flying here at the Capitol! With just eight weeks until our May 19 adjournment deadline, we’re working hard to pass commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help tackle the challenges facing Minnesotans—including a $6 billion budget shortfall. After the previous Democrat trifecta spent down an $18 billion surplus and expanded government spending by 40%, we’re now coming together—Republicans and Democrats alike—to make the tough, but necessary choices to get Minnesota back on track. With the House now at a 67-67 tie, bipartisanship isn’t just an option—it’s the only way forward. That means rolling up our sleeves, finding common ground, and focusing on responsible solutions that work for everyone. I’ll keep you posted as budget negotiations continue, but for now, here’s a quick look at what’s happening this week at the Capitol! Stay tuned! A Path Forward: Addressing Minnesota’s Budget Crisis TogetherLet’s call this what it is—Minnesota is facing a serious budget deficit, and House Republicans are working hard to find solutions that don’t come at the expense of hardworking Minnesotans. After blowing through a record $18 billion surplus, raising taxes by $10 billion, and ballooning government spending by 40%, we are now facing a $6 billion deficit—a direct result of fiscal mismanagement. Both Republicans and Democrats are disappointed in Governor Walz not taking responsibility and doubling down on the same failed policies that got us here. His budget proposal makes deep and harmful cuts to essential services, including: Nursing homes, which provide critical care for our seniors. Education funding, cutting nonpublic pupil aid and merit-based teacher pay while piling on 65+ unfunded mandates that are already crushing school districts. Medicaid services for people with disabilities, leaving some of our most vulnerable Minnesotans without the support they rely on. As if that weren’t bad enough, Walz is looking to shift over $1.5 billion in costs to local counties, setting the stage for property tax hikes of up to 9% for families, our senior citizens who are on a fixed income, and small businesses. Even county leaders—who would be forced to clean up this mess—have raised alarms about how damaging this would be. But here's the good news: Both Republicans and Democrats are coming together to find fiscally responsible solutions to address the looming deficit. Leadership is working tirelessly to bring both sides to the table, engaging in tough conversations, and finding common ground. Let’s be clear: Minnesota has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. We will not stand for balancing the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable. We believe in fiscal responsibility, real priorities, and putting Minnesota taxpayers first. There’s more than enough money to fund what truly matters—we just need leadership that understands that. Minnesota Scores Big with the World Junior Hockey Championships! Minnesota is about to take center ice on the global stage! I had the pleasure of co-authoring and presenting House File 1007, a bill that secures $5 million in funding to help bring the 2025-26 World Junior Hockey Championships to our great state. This international tournament will take place in December 2025 and January 2026, drawing the best young hockey players from around the world—and with them, thousands of fans, families, and visitors. The economic impact of this event will be huge. With hotels, restaurants, and local businesses expecting a surge in customers, we’re looking at a major tourism boost that will benefit communities across the Twin Cities and beyond. Minnesota is already the State of Hockey, and now we have the opportunity to showcase that on a global scale! A huge thank you to Mayor Melvin Carter, legendary Coach Lou Nanne, and Wendy Williams Blackshaw for testifying in support of this bill. Their insight and passion helped highlight how much this event will mean for Minnesota—both for our hockey legacy and for our local economy. As Herb Brooks famously stated, "Great moments are born from great opportunity," and that's what we have here in front of us, we are going to showcase what Minnesota is all about. You can view the full testimony [here].   Cracking Down on Fraud: A Big Step for Minnesota TaxpayersWe’ve seen it time and time again—millions of dollars lost to fraud, wasted on mismanagement instead of helping the people who actually need it. Minnesotans deserve better. That’s why I’m proud to share that Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) has launched MNFraud.com, a secure and confidential website for reporting fraud in state government. This new tool gives state employees, service providers, and everyday Minnesotans a direct way to report suspected fraud in publicly funded programs—without fear of retaliation. The site is completely secure, and all tips will be reviewed by the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee. We’re making it clear: Minnesota tax dollars should go to Minnesotans—not fraudsters. If you suspect waste or abuse in state government, visit www.MNFraud.com and help us hold the system accountable. Let’s work together to protect taxpayer dollars and restore trust in our government! Supporting Lakeville’s Public Safety Training Facility I’m proud to co-author House File 1227 with Representative Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville), a bill that provides a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the development of a new public safety training facility in Lakeville. This project will be a huge win for the community, ensuring that our first responders have the resources they need to train effectively and keep Minnesotans safe—without unnecessary government taxation getting in the way. Let’s be clear: the government should not be taxing residents to fund projects like this. This exemption helps save Lakeville residents' tax dollars while making sure funds are used where they matter most—building a top-notch facility that benefits the entire community. By lifting the tax burden on essential construction materials, we’re maximizing resources and keeping costs down for this critical investment in public safety. A big thank you to Lakeville Council Member Dan Wolter for testifying on behalf of this bill and advocating for this investment in public safety. His leadership and dedication to the community are truly appreciated. I’m proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing this facility come to life for our first responders and the people of Lakeville! Future Leaders Take Over the Capitol! This week, the halls of the Minnesota State Capitol got a serious upgrade when students from Eastview Elementary in Lakeville came for a visit! These bright young minds didn’t hold back—asking the hard-hitting questions, testing out the House floor, and maybe (just maybe) considering a future run for office. I had the pleasure of welcoming them alongside Senator Zach Duckworth. We talked about how laws are made, the importance of serving our communities, and whether or not legislators get recess (spoiler: we don’t, but we should!). It’s always a joy to see students get excited about government, and who knows? We might have met a future governor, senator, or even president in the making! A huge thank you to the teachers and chaperones who made this trip possible. Eastview Eagles, you are always welcome at the Capitol—just don’t forget to bring the tough questions next time!  Backing Our Hometown Heroes – House File 1163 Minnesota firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and it’s only right that we have their backs when they need us most. That’s why I’m proud to co-author House File 1163, a bill that clarifies and strengthens the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program—ensuring our firefighters get the support they deserve. I’m thrilled to share that HF 1163 passed on the House floor with strong bipartisan support on Thursday! This is a huge win for our first responders and a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together for the people who risk it all to keep us safe. This bill keeps critical illness coverage, mental health support, and lifesaving training front and center, giving our hometown heroes access to financial assistance, peer-to-peer support, and resources to help them stay strong both physically and mentally. Firefighters don’t just put out flames—they face invisible battles like PTSD, cancer risks, and other job-related health challenges. HF 1163 makes sure we’re not just saying “thank you” but actually showing up for them with the resources they need. Minnesota is stronger and safer because of our firefighters, and I’m honored to help make sure they have the protection and care they’ve earned. Let’s keep fighting for those who fight for us! You can view my floor address [here]. A Day at the Supreme Court! This past week, I had the exciting opportunity to bring my amazing legislative assistant, Ann Tepoorten, and my talented media writer, Dominica Bernstein, over to the Minnesota Supreme Court for their Open House! It was a fantastic day full of learning, as we got the chance to meet some of our brilliant justices and hear firsthand about their critical work in shaping our state’s laws. We even got a peek behind the scenes at the courtrooms where history is made. It was not only a chance for us to gain insight into the judicial branch, but also a great reminder of how all three branches of government work together to serve the people. Plus, it was a fun opportunity to step away from the office for a little bit and explore how the law comes to life outside of the legislative halls! Thanks to the Supreme Court for hosting such an informative and inspiring day. I’m grateful for the experience—and for my team, who make this work so rewarding every day! Staff Spotlight: John Hultquist This week, I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible work of the Committee Administrator I work with on the Public Safety Committee, John Hultquist. John and I have worked together since I first began serving in the Legislature in 2023. He helped me with legislation that brought school resource officers back into our schools. We have continued to work together on some great initiatives this year, including a bill that adds people who go missing and have dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or a traumatic brain injury to the state’s missing and endangered persons program, and a bill that allows law enforcement to use drones to find missing persons, as well as other bills that will help make our communities and state safer. A bit about John: he has been a staffer with the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2011 where he researches issues, develops legislation, and helps guide bills through the process. Prior to joining the House, he was an advisor to three Governors spanning 20 years, serving Governors Arne Carlson, Jesse Ventura, and Tim Pawlenty. During interim, you will likely find John on a golf course, tending to his gardens, or preparing an incredible meal on his smoker or grill. Thank you, John, for your hard work and commitment to serving the residents of District 57B! Stay Connected!Your thoughts, questions, and ideas are what keep me going! If there's something on your mind—whether it's about these bills or something else—please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can always reach me by phone or email at rep.jeff.witte@house.mn.gov. It’s a true honor to represent you at the Capitol. Together, let’s keep making Minnesota a better place—one idea at a time! Take care, Representative Jeff Witte Minnesota House of Representatives, District 57B |