Dear Neighbors, 

This week, I stood on the House floor and raised my voice about something that strikes at the heart of what it means to govern with integrity: the abuse of omnibus bills in our legislative process. 

Let me be clear this isn't just a procedural issue. It's about transparency, trust, and the responsibility we owe to every Minnesotan. 

Omnibus bills, which pack hundreds of unrelated provisions into a single vote, are being used as political tools—tools to bury controversial policies that would never pass on their own. This practice undermines honest debate and forces legislators into impossible choices. 

This week, I took issue with one specific example: the public funding of abortion, hidden within a massive health care bill. I believe strongly that this issue deserves its own debate, its own bill, and its own vote. Instead, it was quietly inserted into a package that includes everything from hospital funding to unrelated health care reforms. 

Here’s the moral dilemma I and many others are facing: Do we vote for a bill because it includes crucial funding for hospitals in our districts, even if it also forces taxpayers to fund something many find ethically and morally wrong? Or do we vote against it, knowing that rejecting the entire bill could hurt our communities? 

That’s not democracy. That’s coercion. 

And that’s why I spoke out. 

I’ve heard from people across my district—nurses, small business owners, pastors, teachers, parents—who are appalled that their hard-earned tax dollars are going toward something they fundamentally oppose. They feel shut out of the process. And they’re right to feel that way. 

This isn’t just about abortion. It’s about how we govern. When we hide controversial provisions in complex bills, we avoid hard conversations and silence the people we serve. When we force taxpayers to fund procedures that violate their conscience, we erode their trust. And when we forget that every dollar we spend comes from someone's sacrifice, we lose sight of why we’re here. 

So I say: Enough. 

We need to return to single-subject bills. We need separate votes on major, divisive issues. And above all, we need to lead with transparency and accountability. 

Minnesotans deserve a government that reflects their values, respects their freedoms, and spends their money with purpose and care. 

That’s why I voted no on this bill. And that’s why I’ll keep fighting to fix this broken system. 

Thank you for standing with me and for holding all of us in this chamber accountable.

Click here to watch my floor speech about this.