Legislative UpdateDear Neighbors, After 23 days of the Democrat shutdown House DFL and GOP leadership announced that an organizational agreement had been reached to organize the Minnesota House effective Thursday. After Democrats lost their majority in an election, and in response skipped work for three weeks, House Republicans successfully negotiated a deal for the entire 2025-26 biennium. Here is what came from the organizational agreement: - Rep. Lisa Demuth will serve as Speaker of the House for the entire 2025-2026 biennium. This ensures stable leadership and prevents future attempts to stall the House by leaving the speakership in limbo.
- A GOP-led House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee will be created. This committee will have a Republican chair and a 5-3 Republican majority for the next two years. Its primary focus will be investigating fraud, waste, and mismanagement in state government, ensuring stronger oversight of taxpayer dollars.
- Republicans will control all committees with GOP chairs and a one-vote majority for the next five weeks. Until the special election in Roseville on March 11th, Republicans will set the legislative agenda in every committee, allowing us to move forward on important issues like tax relief, public safety, and education reform.
- If Democrats win the special election, committee leadership will shift to an equal split. Committees will have co-chairs from both parties and equal membership, with the gavel rotating between Republican and Democrat chairs. However, Speaker Demuth will remain in her role for the full biennium, ensuring continuity and balanced governance.
While this delay cost us valuable time in an important budget year, this agreement ensures that the House can now function effectively, and I am excited to get back to work and make changes for our communities. Other Updates This Saturday, Feb. 8th from 9 – 3 is the 36th Annual Farm Toy Show at the Sauk Centre National Guard Armory. The Farm Toy Show was started by my Dad Arnie Wiener, and the proceeds from the Toy Show go to the Arnie Wiener Scholarship, which goes to a student who is studying agriculture. |