 Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, Over the past few weeks, President Trump has begun making headway in his work to Make America Great Again. But here in Minnesota, things have remained at a standstill. However, I have some good news to share! We have finally reached an agreement in the House that will allow us to continue our work! After nearly four weeks of the House Democrats boycotting and not showing up at the Capitol, it’s a relief to finally have clarity and a path forward. This agreement means we can focus on passing the state budget and tackling the issues that matter most to Minnesotans across our great state! So, What Does This Agreement Mean?First and foremost, we Republicans did not cave. As you’ve probably heard, the legislative session hit a roadblock due to the absence of a quorum. In simple terms, we couldn’t get anything done because we didn’t have enough members present to conduct official business. However, we firmly believe that we were working within the bounds of the Minnesota State Constitution, and that 67 was indeed a quorum out of the 133 members elected. That said, we did not cave, despite claims to the contrary, we stood our ground and secured a great deal for Minnesota Republicans. The Democrats caved and we prevailed! Now, after weeks of waiting, we have an agreement that gets us moving again, while ensuring fair representation for both parties. Here’s what we’ve got: - Republican Leadership for the Biennium: Rep. Lisa Demuth will remain Speaker of the House for the entire 2025-26 legislative biennium, ensuring continuity in leadership and allowing the House to move forward with its work.
- Committee Structure and Control: For the first five weeks following the agreement, Republicans will chair all committees and hold a one-vote majority. This temporary structure allows legislative priorities to be advanced after weeks of delay.
Bipartisan Committee Co-Chairs (If Necessary): If the upcoming special election in Roseville results in a 67-67 tie in the House, committees will transition to a co-chair system, with equal membership from both parties. In this case, committee control will rotate between parties, ensuring shared decision-making. Oversight and Accountability: The agreement also creates a new House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee, which will have a permanent Republican chair and a 5-3 Republican majority for the entire biennium. This committee will be responsible for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in state government programs, reinforcing the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency. Why Does This Deal Matter?Let’s be honest—this deal was crucial. With the state budget on the line and so much work left to do, we couldn’t afford to keep spinning our wheels while Democrats, once again, held Minnesota hostage, preventing progress in balancing our state budget. Now, we're in a position to make real progress. While we may not achieve everything we hoped for, we'll get important work done and continue advancing our conservative principles and values. Although there’s still plenty of work ahead, I am feeling optimistic about the future. This agreement sets us up to make real progress on the issues that matter most to all of us! It’s time to get back to work, and I’m ready to make Minnesota great again! Looking AheadI am beyond grateful for your continued support and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent you. I am so excited to begin this work for you—let's make Minnesota a better place to live for all people! Warm regards, Rep. Joe McDonald
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 29A |