 Dear Neighbor, The end of the 2026 session hasn’t arrived just yet, but you can almost see it from here. And that’s a good thing because there is a ton of work that needs to be done over the next month to put our state in better position for local residents and people throughout Minnesota. Here’s a look at the latest from St. Paul: Affordability in MN In my last newsletter, I mentioned House Republicans have unveiled a package of bills to make our state more affordable. It’s known as the “North Star Comeback” and it would provide nearly $4 billion in tax relief at a time people are desperate for some breathing room. Key features include $1 billion in one-time property tax relief, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and reducing car tab fees. It also lowers childcare costs and provides hundreds of millions of dollars for education at no cost to taxpayers through scholarship-granting organizations. These are real dollars going back into the wallets of Minnesotans who are trying to make ends meet while the cost of everyday necessities continues going up. Billions of dollars in new state taxes, fees, hidden costs and unfunded mandates passed by the former trifecta have only added the burden locally and throughout the state. We need to lighten the load for Minnesota taxpayers, and this package would be a sigh of relief for local residents. The package is built around three main components: protecting family budgets, making government work for Minnesotans, and building a world-class economy where businesses can survive and thrive. These proposals reflect what I am hearing from people in District 11A as families, businesses, and local governments feel the pinch in today’s economy. Many of the proposals in the North Star Comeback are common-sense policies that Minnesotans broadly support. For example, several measures aimed at improving government are included, such as modernizing county-administered public service IT systems and dedicating additional funding for fraud prevention. The proposal also expands safe schools funding so every student can learn in a secure environment. Just one problem: Every time House Republicans have made efforts to advance some of these components, only to have House Democrats block them. This includes legislation (H.F. 3127) that would provide a combined $2.05 billion in tax relief for 66,000 Minnesota businesses – at no cost to the state – by conforming to the federal tax code. Furthermore, Democrats have stalled our proposal to provide $1 billion in property tax relief to Minnesotans at a time when rates are skyrocketing across the state. Costly, unfunded mandates are playing a direct role in driving up property taxes, so it makes sense to use the current, short-term $3.7 billion surplus to provide a one-time rebate to Minnesotans. This would be especially helpful to seniors on fixed incomes. It’s a shame the state is taxing people out of their homes that, in some cases, folks already have paid for and have lived in for decades. We need to make Minnesota a more affordable place to live, work, raise a family and retire. That’s what these bills help accomplish.  Thank you, Ryan Pervenanze, for taking the time to be here and for the work you do to support economic development and growth in Carlton County. Strong partnerships between local leaders and the state are key to building opportunity, supporting businesses, and keeping our communities moving forward.  Great to have members of the Propane Association down at the Minnesota State Capitol today advocating for their industry. Always appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from the folks who keep our communities running—your work matters, and your voices make a difference in shaping smart, practical policy.  Had a great visit at the Capitol with Bianca Cervantes, RT Miller, Averi, Liz, Wyatt, and Leroy. Thank you for taking the time to come down and spend part of your day with me! Cloquet Area Fire District bill Had a good Taxes Committee hearing this week on a bill (H.F. 4033) I have authored providing local control for the Cloquet Area Fire District so that, if local citizens desire, a sales tax can be authorized within the cities of Cloquet and Scanlon to support critical investments in fire and emergency response facilities, equipment, and long-term public safety infrastructure. Cloquet and Scanlon serve as regional hubs, and this proposal ensures that those who work, shop, and travel through the area contribute to the essential emergency services they rely on. By diversifying the district’s revenue stream, this approach also helps reduce pressure on local property taxpayers while providing a stable and sustainable funding source for the future. This bill allows for flexibility in implementation, including the option of a local referendum. It is a practical, targeted solution to meet growing public safety needs while maintaining transparency and fairness. Stay tuned on this bill. School safety package  I was pleased to participate in a press conference this week as House Republicans laid out a plan that would put immediate and practical school safety measures in place for students and staff. This proposal would increase funding for school safety in public, nonpublic, and tribal schools, ensuring every student is protected regardless of where they attend. It also strengthens support for student mental health, with a focus on early intervention to help stop problems before they escalate. It’s a win-win for our students and school districts alike, especially since it provides flexibility at the local level so schools can respond quickly and in ways that best fit their individual needs. It also includes common-sense discipline reforms to restore order in classrooms and better protect teachers, staff, and students. These proposals are based on direct feedback from superintendents, educators, parents, and students across Minnesota. They are reasonable, practical solutions that all sides agree on and should easily pass into law. But House Democrats are playing partisan games with this legislation as well, serving political extremists instead of doing what’s best for our local students. Watch for more as these and other issues develop between now and our May 17 deadline to adjourn. As always, your input is welcome! Sincerely, Jeff |