Dear Friends and Neighbors, I'm writing to share some exciting news about our work to protect democracy in Minnesota. Last night, after weeks of negotiations, House DFL and Republican leadership reached an agreement to co-govern over the next two years. While this agreement includes having Lisa Demuth serve as Speaker of the House, what's truly important is what we achieved: we successfully blocked attempts to overturn legitimate election results. Other parts of the agreement include allowing Republicans to govern as a majority until we return to a 67-67 tie, which we expect to do following the March 11th special election in Roseville. When that happens, all committees will have an equal number of members from each party and will have co-chairs leading, just like we’ve been asking Republicans to agree to for weeks. This is a clear win for democracy. Through this agreement, we've ensured that Rep. Brad Tabke will serve the term he was rightfully elected to – directly countering efforts to override the will of Minnesota voters. It's a powerful reminder that in our state, election results aren't up for debate. They're decided by voters, not politicians. While we're proud of this achievement, we remain aware of the challenges ahead. Should anyone – whether it’s Donald Trump or Minnesota Republicans – attempt to overturn our democracy, we stand ready to defend them. That's not just a promise; it's our fundamental responsibility to you, our communities. During a time where bipartisanship on the national stage is absent, I’m relieved to see it is alive and well here in Minnesota. However, this moment transcends typical political compromise. It's about setting a clear precedent: in Minnesota, we respect election results and protect voters' rights. Period. Before heading back to Saint Paul for today’s Floor Session, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the community leaders, advocates, and constituents who took time to meet with me and share their priorities for this legislative session. Your perspectives shape my work every day, and I'm excited to continue advancing our shared values through legislation. Stay Connected!Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.andy.smith@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9249, and I will be happy to help. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe! Warmly, Andy Smith,
State Representative |