FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMEDIA CONTACT:
Dominica Bernstein, 651.297.8150 (desk)
Dominica.Bernstein@house.mn.gov
News Release
Representative Dave Baker Delivers for Minnesota Families: Affordability, Accountability, and Protecting Constitutional Freedom During 2025-2026 Session ST. PAUL, MN – Representative Dave Baker (R–Wilmar) concluded the 2025-2026 Legislative Session with a strong record of bipartisan wins for working families across Minnesota. He stated that his work this session was shaped not by politics, but by the people he represents. “I’ve sat with families who are stretching every dollar, small business owners who are barely making payroll each month, and seniors who are trying to stay independent as the cost of living continues to rise,” Baker said. “People aren’t asking for anything complicated. They want a government that listens, spends responsibly, and remembers who it works for through every decision."
As Chairman of the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee, Baker led efforts that reduced more than $30 million in government spending while advancing reforms focused on accountability, efficiency, and strengthening Minnesota's workforce. “This job is about the people who trust you to represent them,” Baker said. “It’s about making sure their tax dollars are respected, their concerns are taken seriously, and their communities come out of every session stronger because of the work we do.”
Throughout the session, Baker advanced legislation aimed at improving healthcare access, strengthening workplace safety, expanding treatment options, and making government more responsive to the real needs of Minnesotans. Among his top legislative accomplishments were: - HF 1355—strengthened safety standards for commercial diving and aquatic operations, modernizing workplace protections for workers in high-risk environments.
- HF 1379—bipartisan legislation allowing Minnesotans to create non-opioid directives, giving patients more control over their healthcare decisions amid ongoing concerns about opioid dependency and addiction.
- HF 3453—established age restrictions and consumer protections for kratom products, prioritizing public safety without imposing an outright ban.
- HF 4493 — expanded access to opioid use disorder treatment by allowing pharmacists to provide additional pathways to care, helping remove barriers for Minnesotans seeking recovery.
- Additional bipartisan measures including HF 3228, HF 3155, HF 4138, and SF 3210, focused on workforce development, healthcare delivery improvements, and strengthening support systems for Minnesota families.
This session also included measures to investigate fraud and abuse involving public funds through the creation of a statewide Independent Office of the Inspector General. The legislation gives agencies stronger tools to pause payments during credible fraud investigations, increases oversight of grant recipients, creates statewide fraud risk ratings, and strengthens transparency requirements when grant standards are waived. “For many Minnesotans, this is absolutely personal,” said Baker. “When families are struggling to afford groceries or keep the lights on, and then they turn on the news and see another fraud scandal involving taxpayer money, it feels like a stab in the back. People want to feel confident that their leaders are willing to stand up and say enough is enough.”
Baker also stood firm against extreme gun control proposals brought forward by Senate Democrats, arguing the legislation would have clearly infringed on the rights of law-abiding Minnesotans while doing little to address the root causes of violence. “In Greater Minnesota, people are taught responsibility at a very young age,” Baker said. “Between hunting and participating in firearm safety classes, the Second Amendment is just part of our way of life. The people I represent do not want politicians in St. Paul treating them like criminals simply because they legally exercise their constitutional right.”
Baker criticized what he described as politically motivated legislation that DFL Senators themselves admitted had little chance of passing the House. “People are tired of the political theater coming out of St. Paul,” Baker said. “They want serious leadership focused on real issues: safer schools, stronger communities, lower costs, and accountable government. That is what House Republicans fought for and delivered this year.”
Instead of pursuing controversial gun control measures, House Republicans pushed for investments in school safety infrastructure, mental health resources, anonymous threat reporting systems, and stronger protections for students and teachers. “At the end of the day, my job is to fight for the people who sent me here, the farmers, small business owners, parents, retirees, and working families who feel like their voices are too often ignored. I am proud we were able to deliver some real relief and real protections for Minnesotans this session, and I will keep fighting every day to make sure Greater Minnesota's voice is heard.”
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