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06.30.2025






Session Overview: A Year of Progress and Tradeoffs 

We started this legislative session with a projected $6 billion dollar deficit resulting from the Democrats’ record setting $72 billion dollar state budget they pushed through last biennium. Though this session began as rocky as the last one ended, we achieved the largest budget reduction in state history – a fitting and necessary course correction. But with a remaining $3.5 billion dollar deficit on the horizon, there’s clearly more work to be done.   

This was not accomplished by the constitutional deadline of May 19th. Instead, we had to return to the Capitol on June 9th for a Special Legislative Session. When all was said and done, 14 bills were passed to finalize a $66 billion state budget for 2026–27. 

Minnesota has a spending problem. There’s no rhetoric or excuse that can justify the numbers. I wish we could have reduced spending more. The state simply spends more than it brings in – despite the constant tax increases trying to keep up with it. Families and businesses can’t afford it, the state can’t afford it, and the taxpayers see diminishing benefits.   

That’s why, throughout this session, fiscal responsibility remained our guiding principle. By reducing bureaucracy and eliminating wasteful spending, we not only saved money - we actually delivered better outcomes.  

Republicans currently hold one half of one third of state government. That means we didn’t get everything we wanted, but we had a seat at the table, and we used it. We passed responsible legislation and blocked more of the same failed policies Minnesotans are tired of seeing. 

As a current school principal, I saw firsthand the impact of many of those failed policy decisions on our education system and workforce pipelines. I used my experience working with teachers, staff, and parents at the Capitol. That background helped shape my work this year as I focused on developing meaningful policies that provide real relief to our schools and better opportunities for the next generation entering the workforce.  

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*The Good: Wins for Education, Workforce, and Oversight*

*✅* *"Restoring Local Control & Innovation"* 

My bill (HF 1435) gave local school districts more flexibility and control – removing red tape from innovation zone plans and allowing P-TECH adoption without state approval. 

*✅* *"Science of Reading Now the Statewide Standard"* 

We secured long-overdue reform by adopting the Science of Reading as Minnesota’s official literacy standard – ensuring our kids are taught how to read with methods that actually work. 

*✅* *"Defending Educational Freedom & Nonpublic Pupil Aid"* 

Despite efforts to cut it, we protected funding for nonpublic students including homeschool, charter, and faith-based schools. Making sure families have educational freedom in Minnesota. It is also important to remember these cuts would have been cuts to our local public schools. 

*✅**"Department of Education Limits"* 

We assigned new limits on how the Department of Education can use litigation funds, keeping taxpayer dollars focused where they belong – on student success.  

✅ *Anti-Fraud Reforms Passed* 

We passed a slate of reforms to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse – strengthening whistleblower protections, improving grant oversight, requiring background checks for providers, and enhancing tools to prosecute fraud in housing, human services, and veterans’ benefits. These changes ensure tax dollars go where they’re truly needed. 

*✅* *"Carts to Careers (HF 1439)"* 

This program expands access to job skills training and scholarships in the food industry – connecting students with high-demand careers. 

*✅* *"STEM Ecosystem Grants (HF 1847)"* 

We’re investing in hands-on STEM education through regional grant funding to prepare students for careers in science, tech, and engineering. 

✅ *"Teacher Apprenticeship Program"* 

I co-authored legislation that creates a registered apprenticeship pathway into teaching – helping districts address staffing shortages without lowering standards. 

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*The Bad: Bureaucracy Wins, Classrooms Lose* 

While we made important progress, several concerning decisions were made in the final budget bills: 

❌ *Education Cuts*: The Education Finance Bill cut $71 million from local school programs while increasing the Department of Education’s budget by nearly $18 million. 

❌ *Fee Increases Approved*: Nearly every state agency was granted its requested fee increases – placing new financial burdens on families, farmers, and small businesses despite overall spending reductions. 

❌ *Missed Mandate Relief*: Reforms to Paid Family and Medical Leave, Earned Sick and Safe Time, and school unemployment insurance mandates were blocked. 

❌ *Discipline Reform Ignored*: Efforts to address school discipline issues were stalled despite strong support from educators and administrators. 

❌ *Oversight Blocked*: Governor Walz and House Democrats rejected a bipartisan Senate proposal to create an Office of the Inspector General, killing an essential accountability reform. 

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*Looking Ahead*

This session proved what’s possible when we lead with real solutions, even from a position of limited power. House Republicans only hold half of one chamber, while Democrats control both the Senate and the Governor’s Office. But even with those odds, we delivered real wins for Minnesota students, families, and taxpayers. 

We showed what thoughtful, experienced representation can accomplish by pushing back against harmful proposals, restoring common sense in education, and laying the groundwork for long-term fiscal responsibility. 

To every educator, parent, small business owner, and community member who reached out, thank you. Your voice helped shape the work we did this year, and I look forward to continuing that work with you in the year ahead. 

Let’s keep building. Minnesota’s future depends on it. 

Have a great week! 

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