On Monday we officially adjourned for the 2025 legislative session. However, there is still work to be done. Minnesotans deserve a government that shows up, works hard, and finishes its job not one that doesn't show up to work for 23 days. Right now, that means coming back for a special session. I will remain committed to working for you and making sure your voice is heard as we wrap up the final bills in the upcoming special.  

Over the weekend we successfully passed the Veterans Affairs Conference Committee Report, finalizing a bipartisan agreement that strengthens mental health services, funds veterans’ homes, and delivers long-overdue pension fairness for the National Guard.  

The conference report preserves the core priorities passed earlier this session, including:  

• A major investment in suicide prevention, aimed at reducing the tragic loss of nearly 100 veterans per year in Minnesota.  

• Pension credit for National Guard members deployed for state active duty—treating service during floods and wildfires with the same respect as federal deployments.  

• A provision to honor Gold and Blue Star families with a permanent plaque on the Capitol Mall, recognizing their sacrifice on behalf of a grateful state. 

New to the final agreement is full funding for Minnesota’s eight Veterans Homes, including new facilities that opened last year. 

We fought to protect core priorities, like fully funding our veteran homes and expanding suicide prevention efforts. It’s not the bill we would’ve written in a better fiscal environment, but it's a meaningful step in the right direction that honors our service members and their families.   

I will continue to work hard and ensure a responsible state budget is passed for Minnesotans.