Dear Neighbor,
Minnesota’s 2026 legislative session began on Tuesday. It is good to be back at the Capitol with so many key issues to address.
Committees spent this week conducting the usual introductory meetings where we heard from state agencies and other boards to get updates. In ag committee next week I’m looking forward to a hearing on legislation to safeguard the grain indemnity fund. We created that fund last year and it is now going to be used for the first time to pay farmers who sold grain but weren’t paid due to an elevator declaring bankruptcy. Right now, we’re looking at around $800,000 in payouts.
Bipartisan agreement on this issue is not only important, but necessary since the House is tied 67-67. That divided power should tighten our focus this year and extreme proposals should be non-starters. It’s not a budget year at the Capitol, which should allow us to concentrate on policy bills that have bipartisan support. We passed a good ag bill last year and I’m optimistic we can do the same this session.
From a broad perspective, House Republicans will continue working to stop fraud, improve affordability and public safety, ease burdens on schools and families, and ensure taxpayer dollars actually reach the people they’re intended to support. Top priorities include:
- Stop the Fraud
- Make Minnesota Affordable
- Make Minnesota Safe
- Raise Standards, Reduce Mandates
- Make Minnesota Competitive
- Minnesota Tax Dollars for Minnesotans
We’ll take a closer look at these priority subjects as the session moves along, but I want to quickly touch on something related to fraud that was mentioned in my last newsletter. Legislation to create a new Office of the Inspector General continues to be discussed in the House. You may recall that bill passed the Senate on an overwhelming 60-7 vote last year only to be blocked in the House late in the session.
That bill was the subject of a committee hearing this week and, ordinarily, I would say that is a good thing. The problem is legislators across the aisle tried to strip the teeth from this bill and pass a hollowed-out version. The goal should be to pass an OIG bill that has law-enforcement power. We should not settle for a ceremonial office that is limited to issuing reports and recommendations.
Look for more from the House soon. Have a good weekend and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Sincerely,
Paul