Dear Neighbor,
Big subjects of discussion at the Capitol this week include a new economic forecast and protecting girls athletics. Here is more on those subjects and more:
MCCL event
Enjoyed the opportunity to attend an MCCL event in St. Paul to protect the unborn.
Economic forecast
With complete control in St. Paul the last two years, Democrats went on a reckless spending spree and those chickens are coming home to roost. State officials issued an updated economic forecast Thursday and it shows Minnesota’s bottom line continues to decline, with a smaller short-term surplus and a growing deficit on the horizon.
The report from Minnesota Management & Budget shows a $456 million projected balance for 2026-27, down $160 million from previous estimates. The projected general fund shortfall for the 2028-29 biennium is now $6 billion – $852 million worse than November estimates and nearly a state-record deficit.
State spending growth outpaces revenue growth through projections for fiscal year 2029, MMB indicates. This comes as no surprise because state spending was out of control with Twin Cities liberals in total control. They even provided free health care and education to illegal immigrants, with the health care alone costing hardworking taxpayers around $100 million per year.
House Republicans are working to restore balance now that we have broken up the trifecta of power. Minnesotans deserve better, a more responsible approach to protect taxpayers, and that’s exactly what I am working to deliver.
The figures from the forecast will serve as the official framework as we work to construct a new two-year state budget before our deadline to adjourn in late May. Tough decisions will need to be made over the next couple of months and I look forward to doing all I can to protect taxpayers and take a responsible approach to Minnesota’s budget.
Preserving girls sports
I was pleased to meet with a Litchfield constituent (below) on the Capitol steps and Riley Gaines (above) during a Preserving Girls Sports Act rally this week.
People in our area can’t fathom having to create a law saying biological males shouldn’t participate in girls sports. Now, people really can’t understand how House Democrats could possibly vote against our young girls this way, not only jeopardizing their safety but undermining fair competition.
This was the case when Minnesota House Republicans on Monday brought forward the Preserving Girls Sports Act (H.F. 12), which supports safe and fair competition for girls in school-sanctioned athletics. House Democrats blocked it, leaving the door open for biological males to participate in girls sports.
 The floor vote came just hours after a Preserving Girls Sports Act rally took place at the Capitol. Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer and girls sports advocate, spoke at the event. The Preserving Girls Sports Act specifically states that only female students may participate in school sports restricted on the basis of sex to women or girls. If there is a dispute, a student must present a signed physician’s statement indicating the student’s sex is based solely on the student’s internal and external anatomy, natural occurring level of testosterone, and an analysis of the student’s chromosomes. Polls show around 80 percent of people agree with the bill’s position, which means it’s really a common-sense issue if House members simply vote to support the will of the people. And there’s the problem: House Democrats sided with Twin Cities liberals and blocked the bill from passing instead of doing what most Minnesotans want. It’s a slap in the face to everyone who has worked so hard to bring girls sports so far, from Title IX and beyond. Capitol visitors |
It was good to see Jane Youngkrantz of Lake Lillian in St. Paul. Jane and husband Dean are farmers. She also is a Kandiyohi Board member of MN Soil and Water Conservation District. I met with several members from Kandiyohi, Renville and Chippewa.
Find me on Facebook
I once again would like to encourage people from District 16A to check out my official State Representative Scott Van Binsbergen Facebook page. Click the “follow” button to see my posts from the House.
Until next time, have a good weekend and please stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Scott