Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, Welcome to day 18 of the House DFL shutdown. That's right— it has been two weeks since House Democrats abandoned their responsibilities, turning their backs on the Constitution and refusing to show up to work. This legislative shutdown is not only disrespectful to their constituents, but the entire state of Minnesota. On Monday, Secretary of State Steve Simon overstepped his bounds, by interfering from the Executive Branch, undermining the House's ability to compel absent Democrat members to return to work. Although this ruling might seem procedurally significant, it doesn’t change our commitment as House Republicans. Since day one, we have been here in St. Paul, sleeves rolled up and doing the groundwork, ready to tackle the issues that matter most to Minnesotans. We’ve been waiting patiently for our Democratic colleagues to join us, but we cannot afford to waste any more time—especially as we face the critical task of passing the state’s essential budget. The responsibility now lies solely with House Democrats to determine whether we can meet this important deadline. All it would take is just one Democrat member to join us and provide a quorum, allowing us to resume the essential business Minnesotans sent us here to do. Despite this delay, our priorities remain strong. We are still meeting each day and doing the groundwork to prepare for our Democrat colleagues to join us. We will continue working day in and day out to crack down on fraud, improve Minnesota’s public safety, and strengthening our education system. These are vital efforts we’ve been advancing all along—efforts that were unfortunately delayed due to this lawsuit. It’s deeply disappointing that things were allowed to reach this point, but rest assured House Republicans remain committed in our mission to serve you and deliver results. Connecting with the Community: Working Together for a Stronger Minnesota It was a pleasure to meet with such a great group from A.B.A.T.E. (American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education) to discuss motorcycle-related legislative priorities! As an avid rider and lifelong A.B.A.T.E. member myself, this visit was especially meaningful. A.B.A.T.E. is a grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated to educating motorcyclists and the public on safe riding practices. They’re not just about education—they’re actively involved in protecting motorcyclists' rights and promoting safer roads for everyone. Their approach focuses on reducing accidents and fatalities through awareness and education, rather than pushing for additional legislation. Looking forward to continuing this important work together!  It was great to meet with John Smith, the Ellsworth Township Supervisor, and Jilann Axt, the Ellsworth Township Secretary. We had a productive conversation about the needs of our local communities, and I’m excited to continue working together to make sure Ellsworth Township thrives!  It was wonderful meeting with Kathi Gruenhagen to discuss the issues that matter most to her and our community. I’m always grateful for the opportunity to hear from constituents and work together for a better Minnesota! Please Reach OutAs always, your input is incredibly valuable to me. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas about these bills or any other issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact my office by phone or email at rep.dawn.gillman@house.mn.gov. Thank you for the honor of representing you at the Capitol. Together, we can build a better, more accountable Minnesota. Warm regards,
Rep. Dawn Gillman
Minnesota House of Representatives |