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Sexton









Legislative Update

Good morning,

Tomorrow marks the third and final committee deadline, an important milestone as we move closer to the May 19th adjournment of the legislative session. With most budget negotiations now settled within House committees, our focus is shifting to advancing budget bills to the House floor.

There is still a great deal of work ahead, and the final stretch will be a sprint to the finish. However, we will have a short break next week in observance of Easter and Passover. With no official legislative business in St. Paul, I plan to use the extra time to meet with folks in the district. If you or your organization would like to meet, please contact me.

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TeenPact Visitors

I had the great pleasure of meeting Jessica and Madilyn Lightly from Owatonna during their visit to the Capitol as part of the TeenPact program. As a high school student, Madilyn spent the week learning about leadership, government, and civic engagement alongside other students her age. TeenPact offers young people a hands-on experience with the political process, empowering them to understand how our government works and how they can play a role in shaping it. Investing in the next generation of leaders is one of the most important things we can do to ensure a healthy democracy. Thank you, Jessica and Madilyn, for making the trip to the Capitol and for your commitment to learning and leadership. I look forward to seeing how you continue to stay involved in the future!

TeenPact

"Left to Right: me, Jessica Lightly, Madilyn Lightly"

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Veterans Day on the Hill

Wednesday was Veterans Day on the Hill, a special day when veterans from across Minnesota gathered at the Capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for the issues that matter most to them. As a veteran myself, it was both an honor and a privilege to connect with my fellow servicemembers. Our veterans have given so much in service to our country, and I’m proud to stand up for them and work to ensure they receive the care and support they have earned.

Vets

We began the day at the Armory near the Capitol, where I had the chance to meet and talk with many of the veterans who traveled to St. Paul for the event. The turnout was fantastic, and it was great to gather together in one room.

Vets

Later, we held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda, and the place was packed. I was proud to stand alongside fellow veterans in the legislature, including Representatives Bidal Duran and Bjorn Olson, for a quick photo and a strong show of support.

To all of our veterans, whether you were able to attend or not, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. We see you, we appreciate you, and we are fighting for you.

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Education

As we have discussed throughout this legislative session, education remains a critical focus. Unfortunately, education is facing proposed budget cuts from the governor as well as both House and Senate DFL members. House Republicans are the only group at the Capitol standing firm against these cuts, advocating for continued support for our schools and teachers. In addition to the budget challenges, several other important issues within education have been the topic of discussion in St. Paul and beyond.

*1. Ethnic Studies Mandate*

I’ve heard from many concerned constituents who want us to repeal the ethnic studies mandate, and I agree. Overall, I am focused on reducing the number of mandates and allowing our Independent School Districts to adjust to the needs of our students and the requests of our school boards. As we already know, our school districts are already struggling, with staff cuts and limited resources, it’s crucial that we focus on the basics rather than adding additional mandates. Repealing this mandate would give school districts the flexibility to make decisions that best fit their needs. Just remember, *we are reducing mandates to fund schools and our future generation*.

*2. Teacher Pensions*

Our teachers dedicate their lives to serving our students, our communities, and the State of Minnesota. After years of hard work, they deserve to retire with the dignity and security that comes from a strong pension system. Yet, many of Minnesota’s teachers are facing an uncertain future when it comes to their pensions, with some finding that their retirement benefits don’t reflect the years they have invested in the classroom. It is essential that we create a pension system that adequately supports the teachers who have given so much to our state. That’s why my GOP colleagues and I have been working to explore new options to improve teacher pensions. We are focused on ensuring that teachers who are nearing retirement, as well as those just starting their careers, have a system that works for them. Rep. Ben Bakeberg took part in a press conference [ [link removed] ] on this important topic this week, where we discussed the different proposals being considered. I encourage you to watch the video of that conference to learn more about what we’re doing to protect the retirement security of our educators.

*3. Preserving Non-Public Education*

Every family should have the right to choose the best educational path for their children, and for many families, non-public education is the right choice. Whether it’s private schools, charter schools, or homeschooling, these options provide flexibility and opportunities for students who may not thrive in traditional public school settings. Unfortunately, there are those who would limit or even eliminate these choices. We must stand firm in supporting non-public education, ensuring that all families have access to the diverse educational options they need. Preserving these choices is essential to creating an education system that meets the needs of every student. The GOP caucus is committed to protecting these options and ensuring that every family has the freedom to choose the education that best serves their child’s unique needs. We will continue advocating for policies that keep non-public education strong and accessible for all Minnesota families.

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Capital Investment Projects

Throughout this session, I have been updating you on the various community projects I’ve presented to the Capital Investment Committee. While I am proud to advocate for these important needs, I must also be realistic about our current financial situation and the feasibility of funding all of these initiatives. This year, the Capital Investment Budget is set at approximately $700 million, but the total value of the bills presented to the committee exceeds $1 billion. This means that not every project will be funded. However, I am not discouraged by this. I believe we should explore alternative funding sources for these essential projects. To that end, I have submitted several written requests to Congress, seeking support for our local initiatives. Regardless of how the funding comes through, I remain committed to advocating for these projects and will continue to keep you updated on our progress.

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Coffee with Tom

Many thanks to all who came out to the Coffee with Tom meeting in Owatonna last week. I really appreciated the great questions and interactions. These meetings are very helpful and important to me as I work to represent our district well in St. Paul. Thank you to all of the attendees in Owatonna last Friday (pictured below).

Coffee with Tom

As I mentioned last week, we are now amid a busy season of budget work during the final stretch of the legislative session. I’m planning to attend tomorrow’s Waseca Chamber of Commerce meeting from 12:00–1:00 p.m., but please note that I may need to cancel last minute if budget negotiations require my presence at the Capitol.

Also, a quick reminder: I will likely need to pause our Coffee with Tom meetings from April 21st to May 21st. With budget negotiations and other end-of-session responsibilities underway, we’ll be working five to seven days a week to ensure we complete our work before the May 19th adjournment. I apologize in advance for these scheduling changes, but I assure you that we are working diligently at the Capitol and I hope to resume these meetings as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding!






I want to hear you

I am always here to listens to concerns or ideas of my constituents. I can be reached via email [email protected] or phone 651-296-5368. 

Tom Sexton Signature

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2828 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155 [email protected]
651.296.5368







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