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Legislative Update

Good morning,

This week is my first full week back in District 19B after the planned end of session. As you know, we were not able to finish the State of Minnesota budget prior to the end of session at midnight on May 19th, 2025. So, select members of the team, including me, made ourselves available for our 'workgroup' meetings at the Capitol during the remainder of the week

Memorial Day

Starting this week, on Monday, I enjoyed participating in the Owatonna Memorial Day Parade. The weather was outstanding and both sides of the street along the parade route were filled with well-wishers! Thank you for supporting our fallen Veterans!

Congratulations to the entire Memorial Day Committee and supporters to a job very well done!

My uncle Joe Sexton graciously drove me along the Owatonna Memorial Day Parade route while Jeanne placed a memorial wreath during the Waseca Memorial Day ceremony.

Owatonna resident, Wendell Engelstad, greeting me at the end of the parade as we both walked into the Four Seasons Centre.

Mankato to Mississippi 345Kv Transmission Line Project

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend a Public Hearing for the proposed Mankato to Mississippi 345Kv Transmission Line Project being proposed by Xcel Energy. Overall, the project process began in 2022 when the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. validated Xcel Energy’s Long Range Transmission Planning projects. As planning progressed, a preferred and alternate route for the 345Kv Transmission Line were presented for public comment. As of this week, the public hearings are associated with Xcel Energy’s Certificate of Need and Route Permit. Currently, Xcel’s preferred route generally follows Highway 60 from North Mankato to Faribault to Zumbrota to the Northern side of Rochester to Kellogg. The alternate route generally follows the south side of US Highway 14 from Mankato to Waseca past Owatonna to Claremont to Byron before turning North to Pine Island where it joins the route to the North side of Rochester and beyond to Kellogg. Further information can be found at www.mn.gov/puc/edockets.

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) Docket No. 65-2500-40099

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) Docket No.: E-022/CN-22-532 (Certificate of Need)

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) Docket No.: E-022/TL-23-157 (Route Permit)

Exchange Club Freedom Shrine Rededication

Later, on Tuesday evening, I attended a rededication of the Freedom Shrine at the Waseca Middle School. The Freedom Shrine was originally dedicated over twenty years ago, so it was definitely time to dress things up and rededicate it in 2025.

Pictured from Left to Right: Pastor Mike Coglan, Real Life Church; Eric Hudspith, Waseca School District 829 Superintendent; Katie Smith, Outgoing Lakes and Prairies Exchange Club District Director; Mikhail Rostislavovich, Incoming Lakes and Prairies Exchange Club District Director; Annette Duncan, Vice President of National Exchange Club Region 3; and me.

Bravo Zulu House Grand Opening!

On Wednesday, I enjoyed the opportunity to witness the opening of the Bravo Zulu House near Winnebago, Minnesota.

The Bravo Zulu House is the first All-Military sober living facility focused on the unique experiences and needs of our veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Too many times the lingering effects of PTSD result in our Veterans turning to addicting drugs or alcohol to escape their symptoms. While some treatment is available through the Veterans Administration, there are no after-treatment facilities to help our Veterans transition back into our communities.

The Bravo Zulu house (a Navy term meaning “Job Well Done”) will fill the after-treatment transition needs of our Veterans. Servant Leader Mr. Tim Murray led the effort to raise over $1.1 million dollars of private funding to build and furnish this house for male veterans. He the Bravo Zulu team are already looking forward to the next Bravo Zulu House for female veterans in either the Mankato or Owatonna area. I met Mr. Murray at one of my “Coffee with Tom” meetings at our Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce. I can tell you that Mr. Murray is completely focused on helping our veterans. Tim recently joined the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce, and we welcomed him onboard during our meeting.

To learn more about the Bravo Zulu House recent and upcoming events, you can visit here.

KOWZ Service Spotlight interview: https://drive.google.com/file

1st Annual Golf and Pickle Ball Fundraising Events at the Owatonna Country Club on Wednesday, June 25th and Thursday, June 26th, 2025.

Coffee with Tom

On a final note, we are going to schedule our next Coffee with Tom on Friday, June 6th from 12:00 – 1:00pm at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce building.

I want to hear you

I am always here to listens to concerns or ideas of my constituents. I can be reached via email [email protected] or phone 651-296-5368. 

If you would like to contact Rep. Sexton, DO NOT reply to this email. Please reach out directly to [email protected].

2828 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
St. Paul, MN 55155 [email protected]
651.296.5368