Legislative Update – March 14, 2025
Dear Neighbors,
Due to a special election this week in Roseville and Shoreview, the Minnesota House of Representatives will return to full membership next week as DFL Rep. David Gottfried is sworn in on Monday afternoon. This means that the previously negotiated co-governing agreement will go into effect, with Democrats and Republicans sharing control of committees for the rest of the 2025-26 term.
I joined Rich and Ryan in the Morning on KYMN this morning to discuss the changing dynamics in the House, our work on the Floor, and an amendment I offered. Take a listen to the full interview here
Community At the Capitol
Even though committee hearings and House Floor sessions are getting busier, I always appreciate taking the time to meet with you, my constituents.
This week I was grateful to have multiple constituent meetings including Northfield High School students, school board members, and Superintendent Dr. Hillman along with the Superintendent from TCU, Kevin Babcock for Minnesota School Boards Association Day.
Students from St. Olaf were at the Capitol two days in a row: the first day for a Reproductive Freedom rally and the next for Private College Council’s Day on the Hill! Thursday was the Family Farm Breakfast with Land Stewardship Project and local farmers who came up to talk about their priorities. I also met with St. Olaf President Singer as well as Mark Quinnell during Insurance Day on Tuesday!
Education is such an important function of our government, especially at a time when Trump is threatening massive cuts that would put students and schools at risk. But here in Minnesota, whether pushing for fair funding here in the legislature or supporting our Attorney General who is suing Trump’s illegal dismantling of the Department of Education, we are fighting back.
I've got my first bill hearing of this term on Thursday in the Environment Committee (where I will now serve as Co-Vice Chair!) and will meet with Tribal leaders on Monday during our Sovereignty Day in the Legislature.
Protecting Reproductive Freedom
On Thursday, House DFLers defeated two GOP anti-abortion bills. One that would funnel taxpayer dollars to so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” which are deceptive, unlicensed organizations that do not provide reproductive healthcare but market themselves as a resource for those struggling with an unplanned pregnancy. Another bill would put politicians in charge of Minnesotan’s most private, personal healthcare decisions based on the myth of “born alive” abortions–which do not happen in reality.
I spoke on the House Floor against these bills and in favor of spending taxpayer money to improve health care outcomes, especially in rural Minnesota. I offered an amendment to use funding instead for important sexual health education, and STD prevention programs. The amendment failed as expected, but more importantly, so did the underlying bill, which failed to get the 68 votes needed to pass.
Republicans decided their priority in a temporary advantage was to attack Minnesotans’ right to reproductive healthcare–and they failed. Both bills were based on litigating old Republican talking points and would do nothing to solve the massive problems we have in our healthcare system. In Minnesota, we believe in a person’s right to reproductive healthcare, and I was proud to vote to uphold that principle last night.
Real ID Taking Effect in May
Beginning May 7, 2025, Minnesotans 18 years of age or older will not be able to use their standard driver's license or identification card to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. Instead, they will need one of three options:
- Minnesota REAL ID driver's license or identification card.
- Minnesota Enhanced driver's license or identification card.
- Other federally-approved forms of identification. They are listed online here, but include:
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
If you are not sure which license type is right for you, check out the Driver Vehicle Services’ website here.
Stay Connected!
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