Session Recap: Helping MN Families Thrive

May 20, 2026

Session Recap: Helping MN Families Thrive

Friends and neighbors,

You may have read about or seen online the chaos and shouting that occurred between legislators on the floor of the State House last week. I was witness to it, and I was saddened to see it. In a time of heightened political polarization, it is my promise to you that I will continue to maintain an even keel. I ran for office to ensure that Minnesota remains a place where families can thrive, and I am committed to working with anyone who will reciprocate that respect in the interest of the common good.

I am happy to say that, despite the breakdown of order last week, we passed many pieces of legislation this year that will improve the lives of Minnesotans.

Below are some of the most important highlights from this year:

Anti-Fraud Legislation

• Tech Modernization: Allocates over $25 million to state and local governments to upgrade outdated human services software. Given Winona County's recent cyberattacks, this legislation hits particularly close to home, and I was glad to have the opportunity to speak in favor of it on the House floor. The software updates will include artificial intelligence mechanisms to flag statistical anomalies that indicate potential fraud, as well as malware prevention systems to thwart cyberattacks.
• Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Bill: Establishes a new and truly independent, apolitical state agency to investigate and prosecute fraud. This change is critical for restoring public trust that our taxpayer dollars are being safeguarded by a nonpartisan entity.
• Take It Back Act: Establishes a 100% tax on state money obtained through fraud, to be imposed on individuals and organizations who have been convicted of doing so. The tax will apply to convicted fraudsters in addition to any court-ordered restitution that they may already have to pay. It also allows the Minnesota Department of Revenue to swiftly seize assets of convicted fraudsters (homes, vehicles, etc.) so the state can retrieve as much stolen taxpayer money as possible.
• Work Requirements for Welfare Benefits: Implements expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults aged 18–64, without dependents under 14, who use Medicaid programs. They must work, volunteer, or participate in training for at least 80 hours per month (roughly 20 hours per week) to avoid a three-month time limit on benefits. Able-bodied adults who choose not to work should not be subsidized by those who do.

School Safety

• All Schools Covered: We are blessed in the Winona area to have a fantastic educational infrastructure that includes public and non-public schools. As we believe all children deserve to be safe in school, House Republicans successfully advocated for the following legislation to apply to all schools.
• Anonymous Threat Reporting System: Allows school districts to adopt a 24/7 anonymous local or statewide system for reporting dangerous school behavior, backed by $5 million in funding.
• School-Linked Behavioral Health Grants: Authorizes seed funding and mental health grants to expand the infrastructure schools need to deliver and bill for student behavioral health services.
• Mobile Crisis Units: Amends state policy to explicitly protect families by clarifying that all parts of mobile crisis services are fully exempt from out-of-pocket cost-sharing, co-pays, and deductibles.
• Anti-Grooming Legislation: Makes the sexual grooming of children a felony offense, establishes automatic teacher license revocation for offenders, and eliminates the strict three-year look-back window for state education investigations.
• Compensatory Revenue Support: Appropriates $10 million in compensatory revenue adjustments to provide one-time financial relief to school districts facing imminent budget shortfalls.

Over $400 Million in Tax Relief

• $250 Million in Car Tab Fee Reductions: Car tab fees have been an increasing burden on Minnesotans. This year, House Republicans secured a one-time car tab fee reduction to help working families. We will continue to advocate for this one-year tax cut to be permanently extended.
• $125 Million in Property Tax Relief: Unfunded mandates on cities, such as Paid Family and Medical Leave, have led to dramatic property tax increases. Minnesotans should not be priced out of their homes as the result of unaffordable legislation. Again, this property tax cut is only for one year, but we will continue to advocate for it to become permanent next year.
• Business Tax Improvements: This provision brings Minnesota into compliance with recent federal tax standards and extends the Pass-Through Entity tax provision, providing hundreds of millions in relief for Minnesota businesses at zero cost to the state government.
• Ending the Ballpark Tax: Minnesotans will no longer have to pay this sales tax, which used public dollars to fund a private business.

Hospital Funding for Greater Minnesota

• Rural Hospital Funding: Increases Medical Assistance rates for rural and critical access hospitals, putting them on equal footing with the boost Hennepin County Medical Center already receives.
• Hennepin County Medical Center Funding: Allocates money from the general fund along with significant accountability and governance language to make sure HCMC is operating efficiently. Though critical to Minnesota's overall infrastructure, HCMC is currently facing financial problems due to mismanagement of the Hennepin County budget. House Republicans made it clear that we cannot keep bailing out HCMC at the expense of other important hospitals, such as Winona Health.
• Hospital Stabilization Fund: Establishes a new fund to help hospitals across Minnesota that are in dire financial situations and at risk of bankruptcy.
• Uncompensated Care Fund: Helps hospitals to cover the costs of care for cases in which no payment is received from the patient or insurer. With the rising cost of insurance, this has become a significant challenge for hospitals, and this measure is meant to provide budget relief.

Thank You

It was an honor to serve as your voice at the State Capitol this year. Thanks to your engagement, I was able to work in a bipartisan manner to pass significant legislation that will benefit the Winona area, and Minnesota at large, for years to come. As always, if you have any questions or priorities that you wish to share with me, I would love to speak with you.

I look forward to connecting with you in-district this summer!

Please Contact Me

Pease be sure to contact me to share your questions, comments, and concerns. I can be reached at 651-296-8637 or rep.aaron.repinski@house.mn.gov. 

Have a good day,

Aaron

/RepAaronRepinski

2nd Floor Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.8637