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Gander




*October 24, 2025*






Interim News

Dear friends and neighbors,

This week, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision [ [link removed] ] based on current law that has brought into focus an important issue: ensuring fairness in girls’ athletics. Under the statute as written, the Court had little choice but to rule the way it did. But that only highlights the fact that the law itself is in need of reconsideration—and that’s why I’m bringing attention to it today.

Many of you live by a simple and respectful principle: live your life, let others live theirs. I respect that deeply. But we must also recognize that the opportunity for fair competition in girls’ sports matters—for biological females, our daughters and granddaughters who work hard and deserve a level playing field.

A phrase that dates back to the 1900s frames it well: "“My right to swing my fist ends where your nose begins.”" Applied here, it means that our freedom is limited when our actions infringe on someone else’s opportunity. In this case, the inclusion of biological male athletes in female sports can infringe upon the rights of biological females to compete fairly.

That’s why I was proud to sign on to *House File 12* [ [link removed] ] this session. The bill’s clear purpose: to limit participation on female sports teams to the female sex—thereby protecting the competitive chances that girls have earned under the law. The bill was introduced and advanced through the process in the 2025 session. While it did not pass this year, we are committed to bringing it back and working for passage in the future.

This is not about shaming or excluding anyone. It’s about honoring the integrity of girls’ sports, honoring the hardworking female athlete, and making sure the promise of competition remains fair and strong. It’s about recognizing that God-given potential, discipline and teamwork deserve a level horizon in which to shine.

I invite you to join us in this effort. By preserving fairness in sport, we preserve the chance for every person to excel in their own lane. All of society wins when we get this right.

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Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet—Safely!
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If you’ve got old prescription bottles collecting dust in the bathroom cabinet, here’s your excuse to finally tackle them. This Saturday, October 25, is the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day—a great opportunity to safely get rid of unwanted or expired medications.

It’s simple, it’s free, and it’s good for everyone. Disposing of old medicines properly helps prevent misuse, protects kids and pets, and keeps our water clean. In short—it’s one of those small, responsible things that make a big difference for our communities.

Local law enforcement agencies across Minnesota will be collecting medications this weekend, but you don’t have to wait for Take Back Day to do the right thing. The website "MyOldMeds.com" [ [link removed] ] makes it easy to find one of the 520 year-round disposal sites across the state [ [link removed] ]. You’ll also find helpful tips on how to safely manage and store medications at home.

So before Saturday rolls around, take a quick inventory of those shelves and drawers—you might be surprised what’s hiding in there. Cleaning up is always satisfying, especially when it helps keep our homes and neighborhoods safe!

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Finding Common Ground in Challenging Times

Recently, I received an email from a good friend whose son works for the Social Security Administration. Like many federal employees, he continues to show up for work during the government shutdown—doing his duty, serving others, and doing it all without a paycheck. She shared her concern for his family and her heartbreak over the growing lack of kindness and unity in our public life.

Her message stayed with me. Behind every headline and political standoff are real people—families, neighbors, and friends—doing their best to provide, care, and live with integrity. A government shutdown isn’t just a Washington gridlock story; it’s a challenge that reaches into the homes of hardworking Americans.

It’s easy to point fingers or turn up the partisan volume. But true solutions rarely come from blame—they come from listening, understanding, and working together toward a shared good. Ros and I used to tell our sons, “You’re each 100% responsible for 50% of this argument.” The point was simple: *both sides can always do something to improve the outcome.* That lesson holds true in government, too.

We can stand firm in our principles and still approach others with kindness and respect. Strength and grace are not opposites; they are companions. My hope is that as leaders and citizens alike, we continue striving for both—so our children and grandchildren can inherit a country guided not by division, but by decency and shared purpose.

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Thanks for Sticking With Me

As always, I appreciate you taking a few minutes out of your week to read along, stay informed, and think about the issues that matter most to our families, our communities, and our state. I know life is busy—between work, school, errands, and all the little things that fill our days—you’ve got a lot on your plate.

But here’s the thing: your attention matters. Every call you make, every email you send, every conversation you have about these topics keeps our democracy alive and well. It’s a little like teamwork on the sports field: we all do our part, and together we make something stronger than any one of us could do alone.

So thank you for reading, for caring, and for staying engaged. Keep showing up for your community in the little ways—and the big ways—and know that every effort counts.

Sincerely,

Representative Steve Gander

"Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B"











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2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
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Saint Paul, MN 55155
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