Interim Update

Friends and Neighbors, 

In the weeks since the heartbreaking tragedy at Annunciation, Minnesotans have been left saddened, distraught, angry, and searching for answers. Families are grieving loved ones, survivors are working through unimaginable trauma, and entire communities are heartbroken. We all share in their pain, and we all want to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again. 

Moments like this demand real leadership. Minnesotans deserve solutions that address the root causes of violence and bring people together rather than divide us further. Unfortunately, Governor Walz has chosen a different path. He alone holds the authority to call a special session, and earlier this week he announced his intent to do so on October 6. But instead of working with legislative leaders to build a framework that could earn bipartisan support, the Governor has been reactive and confrontational. His proposal asks legislators to commit to hyper-partisan policies that have never been vetted in committee and do not even have the full support of his own caucus. His approach is not serious governing, but instead, political theater. 

When the governor floated the idea of calling special session in late August, Republicans immediately offered a constructive plan with areas of bipartisan support. Unfortunately, it took until this past Tuesday for the Governor to unveil his plan. Our policies would actually help protect our kids, provide care for those in crisis, and hold violent criminals accountable. 

Our plan begins with protecting students. Every child deserves a safe environment to learn, whether in a public or non-public school. That means school security grants for both, flexibility for districts to determine how best to use their resources for safety improvements, and ensuring that School Resource Officers are available in every building that wants one. At the same time, with the state facing a $6 billion deficit, we need to identify ways to repurpose money to fund these important programs. One way to do that is to stop the fraud so that state dollars can be used to keep our kids safe and address the root cause of violence. 

We also recognize the importance of providing care before tragedy strikes. Minnesota needs more mental health treatment beds so that people in crisis can access help when they need it most. Prevention and treatment must be part of any serious solution. 

Finally, we must hold criminals accountable. That includes mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat gun offenders and serious penalties for straw purchasers who put weapons in the wrong hands. These are straightforward, common-sense measures with bipartisan support and potential to pass that would make our communities safer and reduce the risk of future violence. 

Even if the Governor follows through with his October 6 date, the Legislature is still no closer to agreement. The reality is that we would not have the votes to adjourn a special session once business is complete, let alone pass a package of divisive bills. The general feeling here at the Capitol is that special session will likely not be called, but I’ll keep you updated if anything develops. 

Minnesotans are hurting, and the path forward requires unity, honesty, and courage. Republicans are ready to advance solutions that can truly make a difference: protecting students in their classrooms, providing care for those in crisis, and ensuring violent offenders face real consequences.

Sincerely,