Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Yesterday, Tuesday January 14, was the first day of the 2025 legislative session. It continues to be my humble honor representing the values and priorities of our great community in the Minnesota Legislature as I begin the 11th year serving at the MN Capitol.
The Senate begins with a 33-Republican to 33-Democrat tie, as leaders in both caucuses announced a power-sharing agreement that will allow the Senate to govern as long as the Senate remains equally divided.
The last two years of Democrat, single-party control led to the most expensive, extreme, and divisive sessions in Minnesota’s history. The Democrats’ trifecta is over and it’s time to put Minnesotans first. I look forward to continuing working hard for constitutional principles, transparency, accountability, and policies that prioritize individuals and families.
The top issue the Legislature must tackle is passing a budget bill funding state government for the next two years. The previous budget passed by the Democrat-controlled Legislature increased government spending by 40% to a record $70 billion in addition to spending the entire $19 billion surplus and raising taxes by $10 billion.
Among my priorities this session will be stopping the pervasive fraud and waste totaling over half a billion dollars thus far (that we know of); Tax cuts including a full repeal of the Social Security benefits tax; Equitable education funding for our schools; Strengthening election integrity, HOA reforms to protect homeowners; pro-life; and pro-Second Amendment.
Under the terms of the power-sharing agreement, I was named co-chair of the Senate Housing Committee. I will also be a member of the Education Finance Committee, Elections Committee, and Energy Committee.
