Legislative Update
Friends,
As you know, the regular legislative session officially ended on May 19th, but unfortunately, the work of passing a complete and responsible state budget was not finished by the deadline. Because of this, we are now headed toward a special session – something that could have been avoided.
Here’s the truth:
Democrats delayed the start of session by 23 days. They refused to show up to work while still collecting taxpayer-funded paychecks. Their reason was a political dispute over a temporary one-seat Republican majority, but the real cost is falling on every Minnesotan. This delay put the entire legislative process behind schedule and now Minnesotans are paying the price with the need for a costly special session.
Despite months of committee work and bipartisan efforts, some major budget agreements fell apart when pressure mounted. Instead of putting Minnesotans first, too many lawmakers gave in to political games and special interest demands. This isn’t the way government should serve its people.
The official deadline for working groups to finalize their bills was Wednesday at 7 p.m. I want to thank everyone who spent long hours negotiating complex issues to find common ground. Their effort matters. Now, it’s up to legislative leadership and the governor to finalize the remaining work and bring forward the agreements needed in the special session.
We expect the special session to begin early to mid-next week. Since much of the groundwork has already been done, it shouldn’t take long once bills are drafted. But rushing is not the answer. We need to finish this work thoughtfully, responsibly, and with full transparency.
Throughout this process, House Republicans have stayed focused on delivering a balanced, accountable budget that respects your hard-earned tax dollars. That means standing firm against unnecessary tax increases, wasteful spending, and backroom deals.
I know many of you are frustrated and want to see results. I share that frustration. I will keep you updated every step of the way as we head into the special session and work to finish what should have been done on time. Your trust means everything, and I’m committed to doing what’s right – not just what’s easy.
Sincerely,
Ben Davis