 Dear Neighbors,
Happy New Year! I hope this email finds you well and enjoying a little more sunlight each day.
2025 was undoubtedly a tough year. Despite the overall theme of loss in 2025, I continue to be encouraged by the kindness and compassion our neighbors continue to show for one another. Whether it’s pushing out a fellow Minnesotan stuck on the street or helping with food donations and deliveries to folks who have been laid off or cannot work, Minnesotans show up for one another. It’s apparent from what I see in our community, and also from the emails I receive daily with people asking how they can help.
Rolling into 2026, we know there are challenges ahead with the skyrocketing cost of property taxes, groceries, housing, and just about everything else. It’s too expensive. The impacts of President Trump’s Big Ugly Betrayal bill will become clearer in February when the updated 2026 state budget outlook is released.
Community Coffee Hour
I’m looking forward to kicking off the new year with a community coffee hour this Saturday, January 10 at 9:00 a.m. at Dunn Brothers in Apple Valley. I’ve been hosting these since I took office in 2019 and now more than ever, it’s critical we continue these face-to-face conversations to learn from each other and commit ourselves to improving civility by being a part of positive collaboration for results.
New Laws Take Effect
New laws took effect on January 1. Many are related to watercraft surcharges, absentee ballots, and meal breaks. This information can be accessed at www.house.mn.gov/hinfo/leginfo/01012026NewLaws.pdf.
Summaries of all laws passed by the 2025 Legislature are available online from nonpartisan House Public Information Services at www.house.mn.gov/newlaws/#/search/2025.
PFML Update
And speaking of new laws, Paid Family and Medical leave also took effect on January 1 under budget and on time. Since applications opened,17,983 Minnesotans have applied to the program and 3,510 have started their leave. If you haven’t had a chance yet to learn about what this support means for you, check out the website here.
 Photo courtesy of Gov. Walz's office
Keep in Touch
Please continue to keep in touch and never hesitate to reach out if you need help.
I hope to see you at Dunn Brothers on Saturday morning!
Sincerely,
Robert Bierman
State Representative
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