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Dear Neighbors,
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s been a whirlwind November with the election earlier this month, news that the Minnesota House of Representatives will be tied 67-67 for only the second time in state history, and a trip I took to Argentina as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders program.
Trip to Argentina
Earlier this week, I returned home from a trip to Argentina as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders program. This is an organization that runs a handful of exchanges every year where policymakers from around the country travel to foreign countries to advocate on behalf of their constituents.
During the trip, I had the chance to meet with Luis Lucero who is the Secretary of Mining for Argentina. Like the Iron Range, Argentina has a rich mining history and deposits. We discussed permitting and regulations, extraction, value-added industries, and our mining processes.
It was incredibly special to tell our Iron Range story to leaders from the other side of the world. The Secretary and I agreed that the future of mining critical minerals is bright and will usher in great opportunities for all!
I spoke with both WDIO and Northern News Now about the trip. You can watch those interviews here and here.
Update on 2025 Legislative Session and Committee Chairmanship
As you’ve likely heard by now, the Minnesota House of Representatives will be tied 67-67 when lawmakers take the oath of office on January 14th. This means that one-party control of Minnesota state government will officially come to an end.
While details of the power-sharing agreement continue to be negotiated, it is nevertheless good news to hear that some balance will be returned to St. Paul.
Folks in our neck of the woods appreciate when lawmakers can set aside their differences and work together on the issues facing Minnesota. With the 67-67 makeup of the House, that’s exactly what we’ll have to do for the next two years because every bill that passes will need to have bipartisan support.
I’ve long been a believer that neither political party has a monopoly on good ideas, that’s why I am looking forward to getting to work on a two-year budget that will require Republicans and Democrats to come together to get it across the finish line.
I am also excited to share that I have been appointed to serve as the next Republican Chair of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee.
It is a tremendous honor to be appointed chairman of this important committee—one that directly impacts the most important financial asset for most Minnesotans, their home. Access to safe, affordable, and stable housing is foundational to the well-being of our families, the strength of our communities, and the entire state. I can’t wait to get to work on developing innovative policies and solutions that meet the diverse housing needs of our urban, suburban, and rural communities.
Stay tuned for more information on negotiations as we get closer to January 14th.
Staying in Touch
Once again, have a blessed and joy-filled Thanksgiving with your loved ones.
Please continue to reach out to me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. I can be reached at 651-296-4936 or [email protected].
Happy Thanksgiving!
Spencer
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