Greetings,
The 2026 session has come to an end. Numerous bipartisan accomplishments were made, and I have shared several of them with you below.
TAX RELIEF FOR MINNESOTANS
Families across Minnesota continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, made worse by excessive government spending and tax increases passed by an all Democrat-led state government two years ago. That’s why I was pleased all sides came together to support $400 million in tax relief, including $125 million in property tax cuts and $250 million in car tab fee reductions.
FRAUD PREVENTION
After years of waste, mismanagement, and high-profile fraud cases, lawmakers made strengthening oversight and protecting taxpayer dollars a top priority this session. A number of anti-fraud prevention measures were addressed this year, but the most important is the creation of an independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which is tasked with investigating state agencies, grant recipients, and contractors involved in fraud or other criminal misuse of public funds.
COUNTY TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
Modernizing Minnesota’s outdated human services systems has been overdue for years, especially as counties continue to face growing workloads and increasing concerns about fraud and inefficiency. Legislation approved this session will provide funding to upgrade these systems, improving efficiency, reducing costly administrative burdens, strengthening security protections, and helping address issues related to error rates, eligibility verification, and new work requirements. It’s a win-win for Minnesotans as it will improve efficiency at the county level and accountability within the programs they manage.
INCREASING SCHOOL FUNDING WITHOUT RAISING TAXES
Providing stable, long-term support for Minnesota schools while protecting taxpayers was a key focus this session. Legislation was approved to strengthen school funding without increasing taxes by updating how Minnesota’s permanent school trust funds are managed and distributed. As I’ve worked hard on school trust language over the years, I was pleased to see this bill move forward. The changes are designed to provide more consistent and sustainable funding to school districts across the state, increasing support for classrooms by making better use of existing resources rather than relying on new taxes.
PROTECTING KIDS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICTION
Protecting children online and giving parents more control over their kids’ digital activity were important priorities this session. A new law was approved requiring verifiable parental consent for children under the age of 16 to have social media accounts. When consent is given, the accounts will not include addictive features like infinite scrolling and push notifications. This law helps safeguard kids online while empowering parents to make decisions about their children’s social media use.
THANK YOU
As many of you know, the 2026 session was my last as I am not seeking re-election to the Minnesota House this fall. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve your interests in St. Paul. Though session has ended, I will remain as your state representative until the new legislature is convened in January. With that in mind, please contact me if you have legislative questions or concerns at rep.tim.odriscoll@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-7808.
Talk to you soon,
Tim