Legislative Update
Dear friends and neighbors,
We are wrapping up another busy week and heading into a weekend packed with floor sessions as we approach our adjournment date on Monday. On Thursday morning, a joint budget agreement was finally announced, allowing us to begin finalizing bills in conference committees. However, the clock is ticking. With so much work left and so little time, we are rushing through business that should have been handled earlier in session. My Republican colleagues and I have been here since day one. Meanwhile, Democrats chose to stay home for 23 days. That boycott, combined with last-minute bill obstructions, has made it much harder to finish on schedule. We are pushing to get everything done before the deadline. That remains my goal heading into the weekend, but with the chaos caused by the other side, it’s unclear whether the Legislature will be able to wrap up on time.
National Police Week
This week, during National Police Week, we took time to honor the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities. We recognized peace officers across Minnesota for their unwavering commitment to public safety, their professionalism, and the risks they take every day to keep us safe. Law enforcement officers work in tough, often dangerous conditions. They respond to emergencies, diffuse tense situations, and ensure the safety of our neighborhoods. Their sacrifices, both seen and unseen, are too often overlooked, but their impact is felt every day. To all the law enforcement officers in our region and across Minnesota, thank you. Your service and dedication are deeply appreciated. You embody the true spirit of public service, and we are grateful for your ongoing commitment to keeping us safe.
I had the opportunity to attend the Peace Officer Memorial Day Service on Thursday night. It was a great opportunity to gather with other legislators and honor those that have sacrificed their lives in the line of service.
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Bringing Henry Mower Rice Home
I was proud to support a resolution this week to replace the Henry Mower Rice statue in Washington, D.C. with a statue of Hubert Humphrey. This means the Henry Rice statue will need a new home, and after working closely with local city and county officials, I’m excited to share that it will be returning to Rice County.
It feels right that the statue is coming back to the county that shares his name. This is a great opportunity for us to reconnect with Minnesota’s early history and honor one of the state’s founding figures. Having the statue here gives residents a chance to appreciate our roots and reminds us of the important contributions Henry Mower Rice made. A big thank you to all the local leaders who worked hard to make this happen and bring the statue back to where it belongs.
Goodhue and Waseca at the Capitol
Despite the chaos of budget negotiations and nearing the end of our session days, I was able to step away and check in with a few local leaders.
Senator Jon Jasinski and I had the chance to meet with DeAnne Malterer who is the Waseca County Commissioner. We discussed critical issues that are affecting our counties, such as unfunded mandates. Thank you, De, for taking the time to meet with us.
 I also had the chance to step away and meet with Scott Arneson, Goodhue County Administrator, and Brad Anderson, Goodhue County District 2 Commissioner & Chair. We had a very similar conversation about the impact of unfunded mandates on our counties, and what we at the legislature can do to help. Thank you both for taking the time to visit!
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