Legislative Update – March 10, 2025
Neighbors,
It’s been a busy couple of weeks here at the Capitol as committees continue to meet and I work on introducing more legislation and connect with advocates and activists who come to Saint Paul to make their voices heard.
Some recent meetings include constituents with MN Citizens for the Arts who came to talk about arts investment, MAPE members from 62B to talk about supporting public employees amidst federal attacks, and the Minnesota African Heritage council to learn more about their important advocacy work. I was also glad to join ISAIAH at a great community meeting to discuss solutions to the issues facing Minneapolis.
If you or someone you know is going to be at the Capitol or would like to find a time to meet with me, please reach out to my office by emailing your request to rep.anquam.mahamoud@house.mn.gov.
Minnesota Budget Update
Due to responsible DFL governance, last November’s budget forecast showed a $3.7 billion surplus over the current budget cycle, a $616 million positive balance in the upcoming biennium, and our highest-ever budget reserve fund.
But since Trump took office, Minnesota’s projected positive balance has shrunk to $456 million. Last week's February state economic forecast confirmed that Trump’s policies will create real problems for Minnesota’s budget and economy.
Republicans in Congress and the Minnesota House are fighting to preserve a system that works great for corporations and billionaires, but not the average family.
I’m committed to passing a budget that works for District 62B and creates an economy where everyone can get ahead, not just the well off and well connected.
House Floor Action
While there has been some positive bipartisan movement in committees I serve on these past few weeks, unfortunately, the House Floor has been a different matter. Republicans could bring any number of bills forward to help increase healthcare access, support public education, or lower the cost of healthcare, groceries, and housing. Instead, they’ve pushed votes on extreme bills that have no chance of becoming law, which is wasting time during an important budget year.
The GOP brought a dangerously invasive bill to the House Floor that would ban trans kids from playing youth sports, and allow any parent, coach, or random spectator to force girls to undergo medical examinations at any moment. Minnesota has always led the nation in standing up for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and DFLers did so again this week.
The biggest threat to women and girls isn’t trans girls who play sports, it's predatory men. HF 12 is dangerous and discriminatory legislation that scapegoats a small and vulnerable group of Minnesotans, and I’m proud I voted against HF 12. Watch a lifelong student athlete speak about the importance of inclusion in youth sports.
I was also glad House Democrats defeated the GOP’s “Shoot First” bill. This bill would make Minnesota less safe and set us back after all the progress DFL legislators made in recent years in curbing gun violence affecting our communities.
Currently, 27 states have Shoot First laws, and every one of them has a higher rate of gun deaths than Minnesota, with the average rate of gun deaths being more than twice Minnesota’s. Shoot First laws are also associated with heavy racial bias. A study in Florida found that white shooters killing Black victims are deemed justifiable five times more frequently than when the situation is reversed.
DFLers are united in defeating these bills on the House Floor, and we’re succeeding. Not only are these bills a waste of time, but they also send a harmful message to Minnesotans who already fear the impact that Trump’s agenda will have on our state.
Stay In Touch!
Hearing from constituents like you is a key aspect of my job as your state legislator. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can email me at rep.anquam.mahamoud@house.mn.gov or call my office at 651-296-0294. For more regular updates, you can subscribe to these regular legislative updates if you haven’t already, here, and you can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Anquam Mahamoud
State Representative