Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, Our 2025 Legislative Session officially ended on May 19… without a budget. If that sounds like a problem, that’s because it is—and sadly, it didn’t have to be this way. The first three weeks of session were essentially a group protest. House DFL members refused to come to work because they were upset that House Republicans had a temporary one-seat majority, after one of their own candidates was disqualified for not actually living in the district he ran in. That 23-day standstill? It cost us valuable time. And now we’re in a mad dash to fix it before the real consequences hit Minnesotans. To make things worse, Democrats walked away from several bipartisan budget agreements that had been hammered out after weeks of work. These weren’t pipe dream policies—they were fair, balanced compromises. But under pressure from their political allies and special interest groups, those deals were tossed aside like yesterday’s coffee. Here’s where the wheels are still spinning: Health & Human Services: Democrats initially agreed to rein in the ballooning cost of providing taxpayer-funded health care to undocumented immigrants. The program’s price tag has tripled. Unlike MinnesotaCare, which gets major federal support, this one is 100% on the state’s dime. With a $6 billion deficit looming, it’s like maxing out a credit card you already can’t pay off. Education: We finally struck a deal to temporarily cover unemployment benefits for seasonal school workers—but only after weeks of delay. The hang-up? Special interest groups didn’t like that the bill acknowledged schools can’t afford to pay benefits for nine-month jobs. The solution involved shifting funds from a fantasy train project to Duluth that’s never going to leave the station anyway. Common sense won in the end, but it sure took the scenic route. Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML): The current program may have good intentions, but it’s kind of like giving a car great paint and no brakes. It hikes costs for employers, cuts into paychecks, and the math isn’t adding up. We’re calling for a one-year pause to fix it—because Minnesotans deserve a plan that actually works. Transportation: We're nearly there, but last-minute arguments over greenhouse gas mandates are holding things up. These new rules would make road construction more expensive—yes, in a bill that's about building roads. We’re pushing to hit the brakes just long enough to give businesses time to adjust and keep projects affordable. Working groups gave it their best shot, but not everything made it across the finish line. Now we’re waiting for leadership to finalize the details and call a special session—likely sometime next week. The hope is that since most of the groundwork is done, it won’t take long once we’re back. I’m committed to seeing this through and making sure we pass a responsible budget that keeps government focused on the basics, protects taxpayers, and lives within our means. Stay tuned—I’ll keep you in the loop. Passport Denied: Another Feeding Our Future Fraudster Nabbed at the GateJust when you thought the Feeding Our Future saga couldn't get any more cinematic, enter Hibo Daar—now officially the 71st person charged in the $250 million pandemic meal fraud scheme. Daar was arrested at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport while allegedly attempting a one-way trip out of the country. Federal prosecutors allege that Daar claimed to have served 40,000 meals per week, collecting a cool $2.4 million in the process. However, authorities suggest that the only thing being served was a hefty portion of fraud. This brings the grand total to 71 people charged in what might just be the most outrageous case of pandemic-era theft in the nation. Thirty-eight have already pleaded guilty. The crooks weren’t just cooking meals—they were cooking the books. Folks, this is exactly why we need accountability in government programs. When there's no oversight, bad actors swoop in faster than a Black Friday shopper going for the last flat-screen. As your representative, I’m working to make sure Minnesota never gets taken for a ride like this again. Our safety nets should help the truly needy—not fraudsters trying to cash in on chaos and then catch a flight out of dodge. I’ll keep pushing for reforms and transparency, and I’ll definitely keep you posted as this scandal continues to unravel. Until next time—keep your passports legal, your receipts honest, and your meals actually served. Looking Ahead!Although this session didn’t end the way we hoped, my commitment to you hasn’t changed. I’ll keep showing up, speaking up, and fighting for responsible budgeting, transparency, and policies that put Minnesotans first. Thank you for staying engaged and for trusting me to be your voice at the Capitol. I’ll keep you updated as special session plans unfold—and as always, feel free to reach out with your thoughts or questions. Until next time, Representative Joe McDonald Minnesota House of Representatives, District 29A |