|
Friends and Neighbors,
We made it to Friday – the end of a long week where we had to get bills through their first Committee hearing to make the deadline. Our second committee deadline is just one week away—Friday, April 11th.
Governor Walz, the Senate, and the House also have now all released their budget targets, and it’s clear that we have some significant differences in priorities. Committee Chairs are already well into negotiations to come to bipartisan agreement on the bills under their jurisdiction.
As you will recall, with a 67-67 tie in the House, nothing can pass out of committees or off the Floor without bipartisan agreement. Given the looming $6 billion deficit, there will have to be significant cuts in many areas and there will not be “new” money for expanding or adding additional programs. The next few weeks will be interesting, but I am confident we will be able to deliver a budget for Minnesota that keeps basic government services operating. Keep reading for more details!
In the midst of this crazy week, I was fortunate to have a student from Norway, who is visiting America for his first time, shadow me. Emil enjoyed learning about state government and meeting many Legislators from both parties with Norwegian heritage - I am half Norwegian! He was glad he was able to hang out with my intern, Autumn, so he had someone to talk to as he sat through several rather dry hearings – including more than an hour on tax increment financing in the Tax Committee! 😊 It is always fun to introduce young people to the work of democracy – it is on all of us to #BuildTheBench of future leaders!
|
|
|
Executive Summary
-
Reckless Spending vs. Responsible Solutions
-
Sensitive Medical Exam Bill Update
-
Strengthening Accountability for Criminal Vehicular Offenses
-
Fraud Committee Update
-
Photos
|
|
Reckless Spending vs. Responsible Solutions
Budget negotiations are always challenging, but with the House tied 67-67, they are quite intense this year.
Governor Walz and Democrats created the current $6 billion when they had full control of state government in the 2023-34 session. In just one budget cycle, they spent down a record-breaking $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by another $11 billion, and increased government spending by a staggering 38%—ballooning the state budget from $52 billion to $72 billion. Minnesota is a state of less than 6 million people, not all of whom pay taxes. We simply cannot afford a state budget of $72 billion.
The Governor’s, Senate, and House budget proposals show significant differences in priorities.
Governor’s Budget Proposal:
The Governor’s proposal includes $159 million in budget cuts and $482 million in tax increases. Unfortunately, the cuts would fall primarily on nursing homes, schools, and counties, and will result in a significant increase in property taxes across the state.
In addition, the Governor proposed $482 million in net tax increases, reducing the sales tax by a slight 0.075%, but raising taxes on professional services by $477 million. This will result in small savings in the sales tax (average of $32 per family), but will drive up costs for services people rely on, so many families will end up paying more.
Senate Proposal:
The Senate’s budget proposal, put out by their one-vote DFL Majority, follows a similar pattern. The Senate proposal raises taxes an additional $700 million—again putting the burden on hardworking Minnesotans instead of taking responsibility for runaway spending. The Senate plan does includes roughly $2.5 billion in spending reductions over the next four years, which falls well short of what’s needed to correct course.
Joint Republican and Democrat House Proposal:
The House proposal reflects real fiscal responsibility and demonstrates that we can show bipartisan leadership to solve the budget crisis. House budget targets include:
-
$3.9 billion in spending cuts compared to the current budget over the next four years —the largest total spending reduction in state history, cutting the projected $6 billion deficit to $2.226 billion.
-
Rather than increasing taxes, our “tax target” calls for $40 million in cuts. This won’t necessarily translate into rate cuts, but it will likely mean we will spend less on tax aids and credits.
We also secured important fiscal safeguards—such as requiring the state to book savings if federal funding is cut for expensive and controversial transit projects like the Duluth Train, Blue Line extension, or Northstar rail. Those savings, which could total more than $250 million, aren’t reflected in the current targets but represent a valuable tool to further reduce the deficit in future years.
House Republicans will continue to stand strong against tax increases, look for ways to cut wasteful spending, and advocate for policy reforms that protect vulnerable Minnesotans. These proposals are only targets, however, and the actual budget items will still need to be negotiated in the weeks ahead in the corresponding committees.
|
|
Medical Exam Bill Update
This week, I was proud to present my bill, HF 2371, in the House Health Finance and Policy Committee—a measure I’ve been working on for six years to ensure that “sensitive medical exams,” such as pelvic, prostate, and breast exams, cannot be performed on anesthetized or unconscious patients by medical students without prior informed consent.
While Minnesota medical schools and hospitals have assured me that these exams are not done without consent, it is essential to have clear, enforceable protections in law to protect patients and ensure that best practices are upheld in Minnesota. Indeed, the University of Minnesota only adopted a formal policy on this practice in 2022, after I began working on this issue.
Since I started working on this bill, the number of states banning this practice has grown from 8 to 26. It’s time for Minnesota to provide this common-sense protection for patients and medical students, who are often uncomfortable being required to perform these sensitive exams.
I’m grateful to have had bipartisan collaboration on this issue! Rep. Kaela Berg started carrying a similar bill last session and I invited her to co-present the bill with me. Former Health Committee Chair, Rep. Tina Liebling, worked with us on some technical changes and carried an amendment in the Committee.
After 6 years, HF 2371 passed the Health Finance Committee on Wednesday! It now heads to the Rules Committee to be scheduled for a hearing on the House floor. I am hopeful we will get it over the finish line and signed into law this year!
|
|
Strengthening Accountability for Criminal Vehicular Offenses
Ensuring that our roads are safe and that serious crimes behind the wheel carry real consequences has been a top priority for me. I’m pleased to report progress on an important bill in this area that addresses a gap in state law brought to my attention by a constituent whose grandmother was killed in a crash due to excessive speed.
On Wednesday, I presented a bill in the House Transportation Committee that would expand the state’s ability to suspend the driver’s license of any individual believed to have committed criminal vehicular homicide or criminal vehicular operation due to excessive speed. The bill passed out of committee with bipartisan support.
Under current law, when there is probable cause to believe that a person committed criminal vehicular homicide (CVH) or criminal vehicular operation (CVO) and the person was under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or an intoxicating substance, law enforcement must report the violation and the commissioner of public safety must suspend the person’s license. This same automatic suspension is not required if there is probable cause for CVH or CVO simply due to high rates of speed, however.
My constituents’ realized this when their Grandmother was killed by a driver going over 90 mph in 45 mph zone. Because no drugs or alcohol were involved, the perpetrator’s driver’s license was not automatically suspended – and a month later he was pulled over for going 88 mph – even though he had already killed someone.
I am very sorry for all my constituent’s family has gone through but I am thankful they used their tragedy to bring attention to this loophole in the law that we are now going to be able close. The bill was passed out of both the Transportation and Public Safety Committees with bipartisan support and will hopefully be on the House floor soon.
|
|
|
We didn’t hold a Fraud Committee hearing on Monday due to the observance of Eid al-Fitr, allowing our Muslim colleagues time to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
However, the work continues behind the scenes. I had the opportunity to join TPT’s Almanac last Friday to discuss the launch of our new whistleblower portal, MNFraud.com, which has already received over 530 submissions since going live. This new tool gives Minnesotans a place to report suspected fraud, and we’ll be reviewing each submission carefully in the weeks ahead.
We also talked about our bipartisan request to stop legislative earmarks for nonprofits, a practice that too often circumvents the vetting and oversight typically required by state agencies. Our House Fraud Committee sent a bipartisan letter to our colleagues last week asking them to refrain from earmarks.
This week, I was pleased to see that the bipartisan Co-Chairs of the House Ways & Means Committee, Reps. Paul Torkelson (R) and Zack Stephenson (D) sent a similar letter opposing earmarks.
I was also able to talk to members of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce about fraud during their Day on the Hill this week. Small business owners are working hard to keep the doors open with high taxes, onerous mandates, and persistent inflation. They don’t mind paying taxes, but they want to be sure their money is going to the intended recipients.
I think we are making significant inroads in changing the culture at the Legislature and in state agencies! More to come!
|
|
|
Photos
 It was an honor to speak to the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters - MPFF as part of Fire Service Day at the Capitol! These heroes came to advocate for pension reform and common sense changes about stairwells in multi-family housing & lithium battery storage that will keep our communities safe. Thank you for ALL you do everyday!
 It was great to meet with members of Orono Action & the Orono Public Schools Board to discuss their Legislative priorities! Like the other districts I serve, they are asking for increased funding and more flexibility to be able to use the money they get for their particular needs. Thanks for coming to the Capitol!
 Had great meetings with members of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters when they had their Day on the Hill! They are ready to build Minnesota’s infrastructure & energy future!
|
|
Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance.
The best way to reach me is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn.gov. For occasional updates, you can follow my Facebook Page at @RepKristinRobbins. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked every weekday while we are in session.
Of course, if you are coming to the Capitol, I’d love to meet you! Please reach out if you would like to set-up an in-person meeting.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
|
|
239 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
|
|
|
|
