Legislative Update Greetings from St. Paul!This week, we passed the first two legislative deadlines, and House Republicans released our budget framework as negotiations with our Democrat colleagues intensify. I also had the opportunity to meet with constituents from our district to gather their input on upcoming legislative priorities and state initiatives. House Republican Budget FrameworkI’m proud to share that we’ve released a budget framework with the following key points: Largest Total Spending Reduction:
We are proposing the largest total spending reduction in state history - $3.9 billion decrease compared to the 2024-25 budget, and $1.159 billion below the 2026-27 budget base. Addressing the Deficit:
For the 2028-2029 projected budget, we’re taking a crucial step to solve the deficit caused by last year’s irresponsible spending: In 2023-2024, Democrats enacted $20 billion in new spending (a 40% increase) They spent the entire $18 billion surplus and raised taxes by $10 billion. Our proposal includes a $2.608 billion reduction, closing the deficit gap from $6 billion down to $2.226 billion. Standing Strong Against Tax Increases:
House Republicans will continue to stand firm against tax hikes and focus on reducing government spending. Right-Sizing State Government:
We’re committed to right-sizing state government, ensuring it works efficiently for the people of Minnesota. This Week in Public SafetyOn Wednesday, I had the opportunity to present my bill HF 467 for its second reading in the House Committee on Public Safety. This bill proposes to delay the sun-setting of correctional fees which many of our counties rely on for funding. This bill gives counties more time to find alternative funding sources and ensures the continued operation of critical services. In line with the Republican priorities of transparency and accountability, I made sure to include a requirement in this bill for annual reports to ensure transparency in how these fees are used. This Week's Meeting Roundup! Pictured Above: Steve Curtis, Matt Auvil, and Melissa Carlson from the Southwest Metro Chamber of Commerce  Pictured Above: Central School District Superintendent Timothy Schochenmaier, Norwood Young America |