Interim Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Tim Walz just announced he’s running for an unprecedented third term in 2026. There is a lot of excitement surrounding his announcement. This excitement falls generally into one of two categories:
- Some are excited because they feel he has led the State of Minnesota in an exceptional manner with his handling of the COVID pandemic and in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. They appreciate the growth of government including spending the $18 Billion surplus on priorities that matter to them, along with raising taxes by $10 Billion, while leading us toward a $6 Billion deficit in the upcoming biennium.
- Others are excited because they feel that he is the most beatable Democrat among the field, coming out of his vice-presidential campaign where his true colors came out, raising serious questions about his fitness to lead.
He’s touting “historic progress” and calling on Minnesotans to “come together” after recent tragedies. Out here in northern Minnesota, we are asking the question, “Is this what progress looks like?” Our schools are struggling, taxes are out of control, and families feel less safe than they did four years ago. Do we need four more years of higher taxes, rising crime, and more excuses? And how do we possibly “come together” when he has no regard for greater Minnesota whatsoever?
The Governor talks a lot about unity and civility — but his own words tell another story. Just a few weeks ago, he told us “maybe it’s time for us to be a little meaner... bully the sh*t out of them.” He’s mocked President Trump’s“fat ankles,” called him a “manchild,” and labeled his ideas “fascist.” He even claimed the country is being “stolen by fascists and Nazis.”At a recent event, he joked about how easy it would be to “just be a d--- Republican” and “make sure it’s cruel.”
Is that unity and civility, or is that divisiveness from our State’s top executive?
And when it comes to his “accomplishments”, the story doesn’t get better. Walz touts Minnesota’s graduation rates, but reading and math proficiency are still near historic lows. He says he’s cut middle-class taxes, but under his watch we’ve been hit with new taxes and fees that squeeze working families even tighter. He says he’s invested in public safety — but when Minneapolis burned, we all remember that chilling line on TV: “Governor, where are you?” Even when religious leaders asked him to include non-public schools in a $50 million school safety fund — with an $18 billion surplus — he refused.
Now, Walz is calling a special session. But let’s be honest — this feels more like a campaign stunt than a serious plan to fix anything. The Governor hasn’t even released the language of his proposals yet. Before we jump to support or oppose anything, Minnesotans deserve to know what’s actually on the table.
While we wait for the Governor to show us the fine print, I’m focused on solutions that work right now. The SHIELD Act (HF 15) would deliver real security upgrades to every Minnesota school — things like secure classroom doors, duress alarms tied directly to law enforcement, and staff training in proven safety protocols. That’s not a slogan or a photo op. That’s action that helps parents, students, and teachers feel safer today.
Our plan is clear and practical:
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Protect Students: Expand school-safety funding to all schools — public, charter, and private. Give local schools the flexibility they need to use their budgets for safety upgrades. Ensure every school building that wants one has a School Resource Officer on site.
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Provide Care: Roll back or amend rigid medical mandates so doctors can actually use their best judgment, including on gender-transition care. Expand mental health treatment services so folks in crisis get real help instead of being left to spiral.
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Punish Criminals: Pass mandatory prison sentences for repeat violent gun offenders and straw purchasers. Catch-and-release might work for fishing season, but it doesn’t work for public safety.
House Speaker Lisa Demuth is exactly right — Walz’s special session announcement is “overtly political.” We are ready to do the work and focus on solutions. We’ve got real proposals teed up and ready to go — proposals that put student safety first and keep Minnesotans secure.
I believe our communities deserve leaders who lead with principle, not politics. My promise to you is simple: I’ll keep listening, keep showing up, and keep fighting for the things that make life better here in northern Minnesota.
Let’s keep Minnesota safe, keep government affordable, and give every kid — from East Grand Forks to Crookston, Climax to Beltrami, and every gravel road in between — a safe childhood, and a chance to succeed academically and in life.
Sincerely,
Representative Steve Gander
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B
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