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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It has been another busy week here at the House. We’ve been working hard to meet the third and final committee deadline, which marks the point when budget negotiations are expected to be completed so bills can move through their respective committees. The past few weeks have involved a lot of effort, and I’m thankful for the upcoming break from official legislative business next week. It will be a good time to recharge and spend time with family for Easter. When we return on April 21st, we’ll continue working to wrap everything up before the May 19th adjournment date.
Save our Schools: A Commitment to Students, Teachers, and Families
One of the major GOP priorities this session has been addressing the growing challenges in Minnesota’s schools. Across the state, students are falling behind in core subjects, and school districts are facing serious budget shortfalls. These problems are real, and they demand real solutions.
Our Republican approach is clear. We believe in funding schools, not mandates. When the state continues to pile on new regulations without providing the resources to support them, classrooms suffer. Teachers are stretched too thin, administrators are overwhelmed, and students miss out on the education they deserve. The time has come to stop the cycle and put students first.
Here are three major efforts we are leading this session to make that happen:
1. Save Our Schools: Fund Classrooms, Not Mandates
We are calling for an end to costly, unfunded mandates that drain resources from the classroom. Instead, we want to see funding go directly to schools so they can meet the needs of their students. Local educators know best how to support their communities, and they need the flexibility and resources to do it. By shifting our focus back to the classroom, we can begin to close achievement gaps and give every student the tools they need to succeed. My colleagues Rep. Patty Mueller and Rep. Ben Bakeberg recently filmed a short video summarizing our goal to support schools. We are working diligently to do all we can to improve educational outcomes and give schools the flexibility that they need to operate well.
2. Strengthening Teacher Pensions
Our teachers have dedicated their lives to serving our children and communities. After years of hard work, they should be able to retire with financial security. Unfortunately, many teachers are finding that their pension benefits do not reflect the time and dedication they have given. We are working to improve the teacher pension system so it works better for both veteran educators and those just starting their careers. This week, Rep. Ben Bakeberg joined a press conference where we highlighted several proposals that are being considered. Our goal is to build a pension system that supports teachers at every stage of their career and honors their service to Minnesota.
3. Protecting Educational Choice for Families
Every child is unique, and families should have the ability to choose the educational path that works best for them. For many, that includes private schools, charter schools, or homeschooling. These options provide valuable alternatives to traditional public schools and allow students to learn in the environment that fits them best. There are growing efforts to limit these choices, and we strongly oppose that direction. We believe in preserving educational freedom for every Minnesota family. That means standing up for non-public education and ensuring families have access to a variety of options, no matter where they live or what their income may be.
As budget negotiations conclude shortly, we will have a better idea of what we were able to accomplish this session. I look forward to updating you on the wins that we secured for education and in other areas soon!
Veterans Day on the Hill
We celebrated Veterans Day on the Hill this week, where we held a rally and gathering of veterans from across the state. It was so great to see our veterans and take the opportunity to recognize their service and sacrifice. Shoutout to several our of current House members, Rep. Bidal Duran, Rep. Bjorn Olson, and Rep. Tom Sexton, who are all veterans. Thank you again to all who have served!
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