Legislative Updates from Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn

Dear Neighbors, 

The 2026 legislative session came to an end this week, and despite serving in the most closely divided legislature in the country, my colleagues and I worked together, DFLers and Republicans, to accomplish many bipartisan priorities like help for our hospitals, expanded property tax refunds, increased funding for mental health access, and program integrity and fraud prevention. We also passed a significant Local Jobs and Infrastructure package, which includes funding for the Eden Prairie Police Department’s regional safety storage shed. Eden Prairie also received a tax increment financing extension to redevelop the Eden Prairie Center! 

In a tied House, with 67 DFLers and 67 Republicans, there was always bound to be compromise and disappointment. We had passionate debates and politely agreed to disagree on various issues. That’s honest. That’s collaborative. That’s the kind of governance Minnesotans expect from us. As your Representative, I worked to find compromise wherever possible without jeopardizing our core values, and I am proud of the work we did. 

My House DFL colleagues and I worked every day to improve the lives of Minnesotans. We focused on making life more affordable by addressing high costs for health care, housing, childcare, energy, and groceries. While many of these provisions were ultimately not supported by the House GOP, we laid groundwork for a productive budget year in 2027. 

We successfully passed solutions to combat and prevent fraud, protecting Minnesotans' state dollars and keeping them out of criminals' hands. We also provided funding to stabilize Hennepin County Medical Center, the state’s largest safety net hospital, which serves patients from across the state. 

After an unbelievably difficult year—the violent assassination of the Hortmans and attack on the Hoffmans, the shooting at Annunciation, and the federal occupation – we did everything in our power to protect our neighbors. 

In the end, we did some good things, but we could have done so much more. In my committee, the Children & Families team heard many bills that would make life easier and more affordable for our children and families, but ultimately, Republicans chose to play politics instead of serving Minnesotans. The provisions passed -- $10 million of emergency food support, child care modernization and crisis nursery licensing, forensic interview training funding, and funding for counties to administer SNAP benefits and help mitigate the negative local impacts of H.R.1, Trump’s Big Ugly Bill -- are only possible because of the partnership and hard work of the House and Senate DFL.  

If we had one more vote from Republicans in the House, we also could have made real progress on the priorities I hear about most from our neighbors:  

• A comprehensive gun violence prevention package that includes an assault weapons ban, safe storage proposals, mental health, and school safety funding.  
• An ICE response package that would keep ICE out of our schools and hospitals, help small businesses harmed by Metro Surge, and protect Minnesotans’ constitutional rights. 
• Bills to level the economic playing field, like my bill to stop unfair practices such as surveillance pricing that hurts consumers and taking on the insurance industry to lower health care costs.  

In the Minnesota Senate, DFLers took action on many of these priorities, but House Republicans refused to join us. Whether it was standing up to the Trump Vance Administration, the gun lobby, or the billionaires who are doing better than ever, Republicans failed to meet the moment. 

In Minnesota, you should be able to afford your life. Whether in divided government or serving in a trifecta, I will continue standing up for Minnesotans. I’m committed to building a future where hard work is rewarded, families have a real chance to get ahead, and communities can thrive.  

Join us for a Town Hall 

There’s much more to discuss than will fit in this newsletter, so I hope you can join me, Rep. Alex Falconer, and Sen. Steve Cwodzinski for a town hall on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:00pm. We’ll unpack the 2026 legislative session, answer constituent questions, and preview what’s ahead in 2027.  

You can register for the event here. The location of the town hall will be sent out to those who are registered on the morning on the event. If you require accommodations or have any questions, please reach out at rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn.gov. 

Keep in Touch 

Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter?won’t?reach my email account. ? 

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of?assistance, please feel free to reach out?email at?rep.carlie.kotyza-witthuhn@house.mn.gov?or by phone at 651-296-6828. You can contact my Legislative Assistant, Caleb, at 651-297-7025 or via email at?caleb.rohrer@house.mn.gov. 

It is an honor and a privilege to?represent?you at the Capitol. ? 

All my best, ? 

Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn