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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are in the final days of session, with adjournment coming up on Monday. As of Thursday morning, we officially have a budget target agreement between leaders of the House, Senate, and the Governor. While this signifies progress, there is still much work to be done before the end of session. Between the Democrat's 23-day boycott and last minute bill obstructions, we are under an unnecessary time crunch and a special session is likely. I will provide more details as bill are finalized in the coming days.
Democrat Meltdown
After the budget agreement was announced, legislators of the POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus staged a protest. They disrupted the initial press conference by banging on the doors, and several became visibly upset in the hallways. Later, they held their own press conference, declaring they would not support any bill that excludes healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants.
Their main goal as we move forward in the negotiation process is to secure free healthcare for illegal immigrants, rather than prioritizing legal, law abiding residents of Minnesota. We will continue to fight their agenda as we move forward.
 Menahga students at the Capitol
It was so great to see students from Menahga at the Capitol yesterday. It’s important for students to see government up close and understand how decisions are made, and I am always happy to answer questions. Thank you to the students and staff that visited the Capitol this week!
The Wildfires in Northern MN
You may have heard of several wildfires that are ravaging northeastern Minnesota right now. There are three major fires that have burned upwards of 20,000 acres combined, destroying homes, businesses, land, and more. I am thankful for the speedy response of many emergency responders from across the state, who have now been working 24/7 for several days trying to manage the fires. At the time of writing this newsletter, the fires are 0% contained, which means there is a long fight ahead. My thoughts and prayers go out to all who are affected.
National Police Week
This week is National Police Week, a time to recognize and honor the dedication and sacrifice of law enforcement officers who serve our communities every day. Here at the Capitol, we took the opportunity to formally acknowledge their service with a resolution on the House floor, expressing our gratitude for their commitment to public safety. I was proud to read part of the resolution, which you can watch here.
In addition, we saw the history of our state patrol as they displayed a collection of squad cars representing different eras. This exhibit served as a reminder of the long-standing role law enforcement has played in protecting Minnesota’s citizens.
Throughout the week, we also held several demonstrations and ceremonies to pay tribute to the officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and these events serve as a powerful reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face every day to keep us safe.
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