Dear Neighbor,
The 2026 session is officially underway at the Capitol, and it is nice to be back in St. Paul working on the issues Minnesotans care about most. Here’s a quick look at the latest from the House:
Remembering the Hortmans
Legislators from both chambers came together in the House on opening day to memorialize Speaker Emerita Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert, following the tragedy of June 14. It was the first time we had formally assembled as a legislature since then. We also welcomed Sen. John Hoffman back to the Capitol after he suffered serious injuries in a separate attack the same night as the Hortmans. I was honored to speak during the remembrance, and you can click the above image for a video clip.
Session priorities
In 2025, House Republicans worked hard to restore balance in our state after two years of one-party control in St. Paul. We made significant progress in that regard. This session, we are determined to build on those wins and have laid out a series of top priorities. It’s a continuation of what we focused on last year, including:
- Stop the Fraud
- Make Minnesota Affordable
- Make Minnesota Safe
- Raise Standards, Reduce Mandates
- Make Minnesota Competitive
- Minnesota Tax Dollars for Minnesotans
We can take a closer look at each of these priorities as they come to the forefront between now and our May 17 adjournment but, today, I would like to briefly touch on the affordability component. I attended the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s annual session priorities event this week (pictured above) and heard a number of examples about how Minnesota’s high taxes and excessive regulations are hindering large and small businesses in our state.
I want to make sure Minnesota’s longtime businesses and new startups alike have opportunities to thrive in our state. There is much we can do to create a more business-friendly climate in our state and House Republicans are coming forward with a number of bills to help in that regard. We can take a closer look at those proposals as the session unfolds. For now, one of the fastest ways we can lighten the tax burden is by passing legislation to conform with new federal tax code providing deductions on tips and overtime.
High School Page Program
It was great meeting with the first group of High School Page students for the 2026 session. The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program was established in 1975. It provides high school juniors with a unique educational experience while working behind the scenes at the Capitol. Applications are typically due in November for week-long slots the following legislative session. Click here for more information about the program and details on how to apply.
Helpful links
Here are some links to House of Representatives resources that are helpful in following along this session:
Until next time, hope you have a great weekend and please stay in touch.
Sincerely,
Lisa