Davis: 2025 Session Begins "With No Shortage of Controversy"
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Legislature began mid-January with no shortage of controversy, including everything from lost ballots to court rulings and a power struggle.
Rep. Ben Davis (R-Mission Township) said Democrats refusal to show up the first three weeks of session while collecting a taxpayer-funded paycheck is "unprecedented" and a "first in the history of our state."
“House Republicans hit the ground running,” Davis said. “Democrats don’t want us to make Minnesota affordable again. Republicans want to repeal delivery taxes, social security taxes, automatic gas tax increases, and policies that drive up energy costs. Democrats are the only ones stopping themselves from showing up. They are currently violating state law.”
According to Minnesota Statute 3.011, “the legislature shall meet at the seat of government on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in January of each odd-numbered year.” Section 3.05 states, “At noon of the day appointed for convening the legislature, the members shall meet in their respective chambers. … All whose certificates are so presented shall then stand and be sworn.”
“Democrats had a secret swearing in ceremony away from the Capitol, which is also in violation of state statute,” Davis said. “While there have been unavoidable circumstances where legislators have individually sworn in at remote locations, never has a whole caucus been defiantly delinquent in their attendance. They have become lawless.”
Davis said time is of the essence, citing the record $18 billion surplus spent last biennium, a $10 billion dollar spending increase, and a $5.1 billion structural deficit looming.
“We want to end the taxpayer-funded fraud that is happening under Governor Walz’ watch. Scandals like Feeding our Future, the Child Care Assistance Program, Frontline Worker Pay, Child Autism Centers and more could have been prevented. 5 Eyewitness News just uncovered yet another Child Care Assistance Program scandal in recent days,” said Davis.
He continued, “For years, Governor Walz and Democrats have ignored Republican pleas for accountability. The Office of Legislative Auditor has made countless efforts to warn Democrats of potential waste, fraud, and abuse in state government.”
House Republicans have drafted numerous bills that address these issues. Davis introduced a bill that requires state agency staff to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and the chairs and ranking minority members of relevant legislative committees. The bill also lays out strict mandates for the commissioner to follow, including unannounced in-person site visits for grant recipients. State employees who knowingly violate the requirements imposed by the commissioner will be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Davis said his district is hurting from the “Democrat trifecta of last session" and now the "current Democrat shutdown.”
“School districts are laying off desperately needed staff because of over 60 unfunded mandates that need immediate repeal,” said Davis. “Small businesses and job creators are taking serious hits because of government.”