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Dear friends,
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual town hall this week! Your active participation and engagement make our district better, strengthen the bonds of our community, and fuel our commitment to creating a brighter future together.
House Budget Targets
With all session committee deadlines just around the corner, House leaders announced an agreement over last weekend on committee finance targets for crafting a state budget for the next two years.
This House agreement calls for almost $1.16 billion in funding reductions to the General Fund. The work before us now is crafting a bipartisan budget framework balancing the Senate budget targets and the governor’s budget recommendations, which all have significant differences from the House. Given the current economic forecast indicating a future state deficit, we must remain cautious given the impacts of federal tariffs, combined with an uncertain stock market, and other federal cuts impacting services in Minnesota. A balanced budget approach is essential to safeguard critical services for Minnesotans, particularly those relying on Medicaid.
Outdoor Heritage Fund Grant Opportunity
On April 1, 2025, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council released its FY27 Call for Funding Requests. An estimated $150 million will be available for habitat work. Eligibility for these grants includes local units of government, Parks & Rec. departments, SWCDs, Watershed District, Tribal entities, Non-profit organizations, etc. This funding is dedicated for use in projects that “protect, restore, and enhance habitat for fish, game, and wildlife.”
If you would like to discuss potential project ideas, LSOHC staff will gladly meet with you and offer their assistance!
Fraud Prevention Resources
Text, email, and social media scams are becoming more sophisticated and more prevalent. If you’re like me, you probably have gotten some of these scam texts that say you need to pay a toll or confirm a payment- it's important to be skeptical of such texts. Those E-Z Pass texts are scams, and MnDOT has issued a fraud warning here with resources in case you accidentally click a link.
I want to share some helpful resources with you all on how to spot and avoid scams, and where you can go for help if you or someone you know falls victim to these fraudsters. Remember that it’s important to break down the stigma of embarrassment and report any cases so law enforcement can take any actions possible to try to recover funds or stop future scams.
The Attorney General has some resources on How to Spot a Scam with helpful examples and a list of common scams. If you have concerns about a particular offer or believe you are the victim of a scam, the Attorney General wants to hear from you. You may call (651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area) or (800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities) or submit a Consumer Assistance Request Form.
Meanwhile, here at the Legislature, we are working on bills to support the Attorney General’s work cracking down on fraud in the public and private sectors. Some proposals include stiffer penalties on Medicaid fraudsters, a fraud investigation unit within the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, fighting against employer misclassification fraud, and protecting veterans from claim sharks that seek to profit off the benefits they earned in service to our country.
Minnesota Frost Visit
Last week, the Minnesota House honored the Minnesota Frost with a House Resolution celebrating their historic victory in the inaugural Walter Cup PWHL Championship!
My colleagues and I celebrated Minnesota Frost's achievement and recognized the history of other Minnesota women's sports teams like the Lynx and the University of Minnesota Women's Hockey team that have made our state so proud. Thanks for coming to the Capitol!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at [email protected] or 651-296-5513.
It’s an honor to represent our Coon Rapids and Anoka families in St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Rep. Zack Stephenson
Minnesota House of Representatives
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