Legislative Update Dear friends and neighbors, I hope you had a great week and that you got a chance to soak up that sneak peek of summer weather we were teased with on Thursday. Down at the Capitol, things are moving at full speed. We’ve already cleared our first and second legislative deadlines, and the final bill deadline hit yesterday at 5:00 p.m. After this week, most committees will have wrapped up their work, except the Tax Committee, which will keep grinding right up until the session wraps on May 17. House Republicans have been busy putting forward real solutions to ease the burden on Minnesota families. That includes strong tax conformity legislation, several fraud prevention bills in all committees, and bringing a little more common sense back to how we tax Minnesotans. There’s a lot of good work ready to go; now we just need the opportunity to get it across the finish line. As always, I’m listening, and I’ll continue working every day to make sure your voice is part of every conversation. Safe Schools Can’t Wait On Tuesday, we rolled out our House Republican school safety proposal. This package has been months in the making, shaped in the wake of the heartbreaking tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School last fall; we have made it a top priority throughout the planning process to have extensive conversations with the people who know our schools best: superintendents, teachers, parents, and students. At its core, this proposal is about making sure every student, no matter where they attend school, feels safe when they walk through those doors each morning. So we built a proposal that actually meets schools where they are. Not a one-size-fits-all mandate, but a multilayered approach with tools schools can use right now. We prioritized more funding for school safety across public, nonpublic, and Tribal schools. As well as strengthening access to mental health resources, recognizing that early intervention can prevent crises before they happen. And giving schools more flexibility with tools like anonymous threat reporting and safety planning, so they can respond quickly and in ways that make sense for their communities. We also tackled what’s happening inside the classroom—supporting discipline reforms that help restore order and protect both students and staff, while making sure teachers aren’t left to handle tough situations on their own. And here’s the part that really shouldn’t be controversial: this wasn’t a partisan wishlist. It was a multilayered plan that pulled from ideas on both sides of the aisle, many of which have had strong bipartisan support in the past. When I worked on passing the school resource officer fix, I extended my hand across the aisle in an effort to work together in the name of keeping our kids, teachers, and schools safe. Keeping our schools safe shouldn’t be a partisan issue; it’s a shared responsibility. I was grateful when Speaker Melissa Hortman met that gesture with the same spirit, and together we found a common-sense solution that ensured our schools kept the resources they needed. In the end, it was proof that we can still rise above politics, work together, find compromise, and hold on to hope for what Minnesota can be. That experience reinforced something I believe deeply: good lawmaking doesn’t happen in silos. It happens when we’re willing to show up, listen, and build relationships—even when it’s not the easy path. As legislators, we have a responsibility to lead with that mindset. This is what Minnesotans want from their state government. They want lawmakers to listen, learn, lead, and work together to find solutions to the challenges facing our state and communities. I’m hopeful my colleagues on the other side will recognize the strength of that kind of coalition and join in that same spirit of collaboration this time around. Instead of moving forward on solutions we largely agree on, the conversation stalled over broader policy debates that, while important, don’t need to stop us from taking action on school safety right now. We can do both. Minnesota families expect us to do both. Here's the hard truth: delay is a decision. Each day we wait is another day schools are left without the resources they’ve been asking for. Another day, teachers are left managing increasingly difficult situations without enough backup. Another day, parents are left wondering if everything that can be done, actually is being done. With about a month left in session, the choice is pretty simple—move forward on solutions we know can pass, or keep Minnesota waiting. Minnesota families want action, and that’s exactly what House Republicans are ready to deliver. From the Classroom to the Capitol: Listening to District 196 Tuesday was School District 196’s Day at the Capitol, and it was great to have them in St. Paul. I’m fortunate to represent three school districts, and I always appreciate the chance to hear directly from the people doing the work every day. These conversations matter. It’s one thing to talk about education policy at the Capitol, it’s another to hear firsthand what’s working, what’s not, and where support is actually needed. It was also a great opportunity to share our school safety proposal and get their feedback. Hearing their perspectives, ideas, and on-the-ground experiences helps ensure we’re focusing on solutions that truly support students, teachers, and families. Tax Day Reality Check: You’re Not Imagining It Tax Day was Wednesday—and if your experience looked anything like mine, one thing is pretty clear: Minnesotans are overtaxed, plain and simple. I’ve heard from many of you over the past week, and the message has been consistent. Frustration. Confusion. A lot of “how is this sustainable?” I want you to know I hear you. Those concerns are real, and they’re being felt by families and businesses all across Minnesota. That’s exactly why House Republicans have been focused on solutions that will actually lighten the load—proposals that rein in costs, provide relief, and bring some common sense back into how we tax Minnesotans. One bill I’m proud to coauthor—and would like to highlight—is House File 4906. This bill would provide a one-time property tax refund in 2026, aimed at giving homeowners meaningful relief where it’s needed most. Here’s how it works: homeowners with residential homesteads, as well as the homestead portion of agricultural properties (including the house, garage, and surrounding acre), would be eligible to apply. The state would dedicate $4 billion to this effort, and that funding would be distributed proportionally based on the amount of property taxes owed in 2026. In simple terms, the higher your property tax bill, the larger your potential refund, though no refund would exceed what you actually owe. There are also safeguards in place to ensure accountability. If property taxes aren’t paid, the refund would need to be returned. And importantly, the total refund—combined with existing property tax relief programs—cannot exceed the total taxes owed on the property. This isn’t a long-term fix to every issue in our tax system, but it’s a step toward real, immediate relief. And for many Minnesota families, that relief couldn’t come soon enough. Because at the end of the day, you should be able to get ahead—not feel like you’re constantly trying to catch up. Lakeville Businesses Take On the Capitol It was great to welcome the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce to the Capitol for Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Day on the Hill. Their visit brought valuable insight into what our local businesses are experiencing on the ground. Senator Zach Duckworth, Representative Jon Koznick, and I had a productive conversation with Chamber leaders about their priorities for Lakeville and how we can help support an environment where businesses can grow and families can continue to thrive in a strong, vibrant community. I’m always grateful for opportunities like this—where we can sit down, listen closely, and work together on keeping Lakeville a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Stay Connected!As always, I am so grateful for your continued support and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent you. As always, my door is open to you. Please feel free to stop by my office for a meeting or reach out via email at rep.jeff.witte@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651.296.4240. I’m here to listen and work together for our community's success! Sincerely, —Representative Jeff Witte |