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Dear Neighbor,

Remember back in 2023, when the state had an $18 billion surplus and our friends across the aisle promised $2,000 rebates? Then, remember how instead of sending $2,000 back to taxpayers, they instead dramatically shrank the rebates and went on a spending spree that increased the state budget by 40 percent?

People wanted that massive surplus to be used for tax relief, safer communities, and quality education for children. No matter your political leanings, most people were not asking that our historic, one-time state surplus be used to fund a 40% increase in ongoing state spending. But Democrats in full control of the Capitol didn’t listen to the people and instead catered to the activists.

We need to make sure that doesn’t happen again, and House Republicans brought to the floor this week a bill allowing citizens to decide if a portion of future budget surpluses should be returned to taxpayers.

The bill (H.F. 4 [ [link removed] ]) proposes a constitutional amendment question on the 2026 general election ballot, asking voters to decide whether future budget surpluses should be automatically refunded. Putting the principle of surplus returns in the Minnesota Constitution would protect taxpayers from future overreach and promote financial accountability in state government so we can avoid repeating 2023.

Unfortunately, Democrats defeated the bill on a 67-67 party-line vote. It was amazing to hear their out-of-touch arguments for why the state should keep taxpayer dollars it collects above and beyond what is budgeted for.

It’s as if they think the government knows how to make better use of your money than you do. Which is astounding when you think these same people turned an $18 billion surplus into a $6 billion shortfall in the blink of an eye.

*Data center bill*

The data center bill (H.F. 28 [ [link removed] ]) I authored remains available for a vote of the full House. You may recall this bill updates some obsolete regulations on emergency backup generators. That would help Minnesota capitalize on the soaring expansion of the data industry and tap into the largest economic opportunity our state has ever seen.

I recently submitted an op-ed to the Star Tribune to outline why this bill is so important. It reads, in part:

"If Minnesota shuts its doors to data centers, those investments won’t disappear—they’ll simply move to states that are more welcoming. Places like Iowa, North Dakota, and Illinois are rolling out the red carpet, offering incentives and regulatory clarity that encourage long-term investment. That means Minnesota will miss out on thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue, and the opportunity to be a leader in sustainable digital infrastructure.Blocking data center growth won’t stop the digital economy. That ship has sailed. It will only mean that our businesses, schools, and communities will rely on infrastructure built elsewhere, sending economic benefits across state lines while Minnesota falls behind. Again."

Click here [ [link removed] ] for the full op-ed.

I continue working to gain bipartisan support for my bill and hope we can move it forward soon – especially since both Republicans and Democrats are authoring the Senate’s version.

*Thanking farmers*

nat ag day

National Ag Day was this week and I want to say a big “thank you” to our farmers for everything you do. Your hard work, dedication and long hours keep our families fed and our communities going strong. It’s not easy work, and I appreciate the sacrifices you make to keep the ag industry going in Minnesota.

Have a good weekend and please stay in touch.

Sincerely,

Shane







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State Rep. Shane Mekeland
2nd Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55155
[email protected] <[email protected]>
(651) 296-2451







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