Dear [email protected],

With the end of the legislative session rapidly approaching, I'd like to provide you with another update to show where we currently stand. As you may know, we are constitutionally obligated to conclude our legislative session on May 19^th. I will be sure to bring you an update once the legislative session comes to a close. 

So far in this dysfunctional session, we have continually seen Senate Democrats refuse to acknowledge their conservative counterparts, regardless of the merits of their bills. Furthermore, Senate Democrats have not included Republican lawmakers in the development of the omnibus bills currently under Senate consideration that have now come to the Senate floor. Over the past two weeks, 17 omnibus bills have passed the Senate floor, each expanding state government, spending more tax dollars, and failing to promote accountability.

My colleagues and I have offered numerous amendments to improve these various bills, but nearly every provision was rejected along partisan lines. These tactics are not only detrimental to our state but will also likely require that the legislature go into a special session as the House and the Senate work to reconcile the various bills.

When our Minnesotan ancestors first petitioned for statehood in 1857, they knew just what could come from unbridled government power. It is with this thought in mind that the framers of our state’s constitution decided to restrain government by implementing a short legislative session and imposing the limitation that all bills must be singular in their subject.

Rather than performing legislative functions as the framers intended, my colleagues on the left have embraced the idea of omnibus bills in order to pack numerous new laws into one piece of legislation. Using this process, Senate Democrats have been able to circumvent the restraints imposed on the legislature to the detriment of millions of Minnesotans. This was clearly seen in the mega-omnibus bill forced through by Democrats in the final minutes of the 2024 session.

The issue of omnibus bill use has never been so important as it is today. Rampant spending and radical ideology embedded in these and prior bills have turned a $19 billion surplus into a projected $6 billion deficit. The latest batch of omnibus bills cooked up by the Senate Democrats fail to address our current budget crisis, cut support from the most vulnerable in our society, and impose even more taxes and fees on hard-working Minnesotans.

I have been a vocal opponent of these omnibus provisions since my first day in the legislature, and I will continue to oppose these bills until the legislature takes accountability.

In better news, last week we were able to pass a bipartisan bill to promote transparency and reduce fraud here in Minnesota.

The bill, SF 856, was the product of a bipartisan coalition dedicated to addressing waste, fraud, and abuse in our state by creating a new government branch dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those who engage in fraud in the state of Minnesota. This new branch, the Office of the Inspector General, will be another tool in our arsenal to ensure that your government is being a good steward of your money.

Along with investigating and prosecuting fraud, this agency will also be tasked with making recommendations to agencies and the legislature alike to ensure that we can combat fraud wherever it might arise. While the bill is not perfect, it is a measure that I am proud to support, and I appreciate my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for seeing it through.

This week marks National Police Week—a time to honor and recognize the courageous men and women who serve in law enforcement. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to keeping our communities safe!

Every year, I enjoy taking the opportunity to write to hundreds of students in my district to congratulate them on their achievements. This year, however, my annual task has become a bit tricky given that new privacy guidelines bar schools from providing lists of graduating seniors to state legislators like me.

While I may not be able to reach every graduate in my district, I want to try and reach as many as possible! 

If you have a graduate in your life whom you'd like recognized, please click the link below to provide me with their information. Rest assured, this information will only be used to prepare a personalized letter to congratulate your graduate.

To those graduates whom I am unable to write to, I would just like to say, congratulations on this achievement. Countless opportunities and endless new goals are ahead as you enter this exciting chapter in your life. Wherever life leads, be confident of your ability to be successful.  Set your goals high and always stay true to your principles and ideals.

As always, I am happy to assist my constituents in any way possible. If I can ever be of service, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Choose Freedom,

Cal Bahr

Minnesota Senate, District 31

Capitol Address

95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg. 2415
St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-3219

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