Legislative Update 03.21.25

Legislative Update

Dear friends and neighbors,

This week brought another shift in the House. On Monday, our final member was sworn in after winning the special election in Roseville/Shoreview last week, officially bringing the chamber to a 67-67 tie between the GOP and DFL. This even split has a significant impact on our committees, which are now led by co-chairs and alternate leadership between GOP and DFL from day to day. With all bills now requiring bipartisan support to reach the House floor, this new dynamic pushes both sides to work together and find common ground. We continue to remain steadfast to our beliefs and priorities, but we also recognize the importance of collaboration in this evenly divided chamber.

HF4

On Monday, we voted on quite a few bills, most of which passed with strong bipartisan support. One that did not pass, however, was HF4. This bill proposed a constitutional amendment requiring the State of Minnesota to return excess tax revenue collected beyond the authorized budget through a one-time tax refund or reduction. If it had passed the legislature, voters would have had the final say in 2026 on whether those surplus funds should be returned. Unfortunately, House Democrats opposed the bill and voted it down along party lines. This decision reflects a broader pattern of unchecked government spending and a lack of commitment to fiscal responsibility. Instead of returning surplus tax dollars to the people who earned them, Democrats chose to keep control over the funds. Rest assured, the GOP Caucus remains committed to ensuring that taxpayer money is used responsibly and that any excess is rightfully returned to Minnesotans.

Committee Deadines

Our committee work is really amping up, and a lot of my time is dedicated there. We are fast approaching committee deadlines, which are important marks on the session. The first and second deadlines are on April 4th, and the third deadline is on April 11th. I will keep you updated as these deadlines come and go!

Pine River Group Homes

We hosted Disability Services Day on the Hill early this week, and I had a great visit with this group from Pine River Group Home. They came all the way to St. Paul to advocate for themselves, and especially in opposition to the proposed cuts from Governor Walz. This group home does incredible work for our community and people living with disabilities. They providing meaningful opportunities for these individuals to connect with one another, gain independence and personal responsibility, and find personal fulfillment through activities and work. I really appreciated the chance to connect, and I am proud of them for fighting for what they believe in!

Region 5 Superintendents

I met with Superintendents from region 5, which includes the following counties: Cass, Crow Wing, Wabasha, Todd, and Morrison. We discussed Compensatory Revenue, mandates, UI, READ Act, PSEO/CIS and many more issues facing our schools. It is clear that our students are struggling and our schools need meaningful help, and these superintendents work tirelessly to promote the success of our students.

Pequot Lakes Basketball

I was able to step away from the Capitol for a night this week to watch the Pequot Lakes Boys Basketball team play in the state tournament at Target Center. My daughter was there to cheer them on, so I got to see her as well! They faced Waseca in the semifinals and, despite a hard-fought game, came up short. Still, making it to the state tournament is a huge accomplishment, and they had an impressive season. Congrats to the players, coaches, and fans on a great run!

Please Reach Out

You can reach my office at Rep.Krista.Knudsen@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651-296-9918. Follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates.