Legislative Update 03.28.25

Legislative Update

Greetings from St. Paul,  

As we move into the spring legislative session, I wanted to take a moment to update you on some important issues and actions happening at the State Capitol. This week, Governor Walz proposed budget cuts to education and long-term care, I had a bill hearing for House File 2231 and continued my meetings with constituents and advocacy groups at the Capitol.

Governor Walz's Proposed Cuts to Education and Long-Term Care

Governor Walz recently proposed a series of budget cuts that would significantly impact education and long-term care services across our state. These proposed reductions are deeply concerning, particularly when we consider the lasting effects they would have on Minnesota’s students, families, and vulnerable seniors.

As your representative, I strongly oppose these cuts and will work tirelessly to ensure that our schools and long-term care facilities receive the funding they need to serve Minnesotans effectively. Education is the foundation of our future, and it is essential that we provide our schools with the resources to meet the growing needs of our students. Similarly, long-term care facilities must be supported so that they can continue to provide quality care to our seniors and individuals with disabilities.

I will be working with my colleagues in the legislature to fight these proposed cuts and advocate for policies that prioritize our state’s most vulnerable populations. I will keep you updated on the progress of these discussions as we move forward.

House File 2231: Modernizing Public Notice Publishing

On Monday this week, I had the privilege of presenting House File 2231, a bill I authored to modernize the process of publishing public notices in Minnesota. This bill is the result of over a year of work, building upon efforts from last legislative session. It’s especially important for communities across the state that do not have access to local newspapers. Under this bill, local governments will be able to publish legal notices online when no qualified newspaper is available.

This ensures that Minnesotans can continue to access essential public information and will also provide significant cost savings for local governments, allowing them to put resources toward other important services.

A Special Thanks to Chris Schultz of Lester Prairie who came to testify in favor of this bill. As owner of the Herald Journal, Chris knows just how important it is for communities to have access to public information. 

This Week's Meeting Round-Up

Women in Agriculture Day at the Capitol

On Monday, I had the opportunity to speak with my fellow female farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers about my experience in the agricultural industry and the work I’m doing to represent our shared values at the Capitol.

Private College Day

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with Izzy Neaton from Watertown to discuss the impact that Governor Walz’s proposed cuts to education funding will have on our students and private universities. Currently, about 70,500 students rely on grants to afford higher education. These cuts will put this opportunity out of reach for many working families across our state.

Discussing the Cannabis Lottery

It was a pleasure speaking with Shaun Tetrault, another Watertown resident, who wanted to discuss the state's handling of the cannabis lottery and what we in the legislature can do to ensure a fair opportunity and a smoother rollout for everyone wishing to participate.

Let's Continue Working Together

That wraps up this week’s update!

It’s been a week full of productive discussions and important legislative work. I look forward to continuing this important work with all of you. As always, your feedback and insights are invaluable in shaping the work I do here at the Capitol. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas.