Legislative Update – April 30, 2025
Dear Neighbors,
We have reached our busiest time of the Legislative Session, as we begin passing budget bills on the House Floor. After these bills pass the House, we enter negotiations with the Senate and the Governor on a final version that we must pass before our May 19 adjournment date.
In a 67-67 tied House, all our budget bills result from compromises between DFLers and Republicans. The bills aren’t perfect, but we’re fighting for a budget that preserves the progress we made last term, protects Minnesota from harmful federal policy, and supports Minnesota workers and families.
In between all the long floor sessions, I was glad to take time yesterday to talk with Three Rivers Park District staff about supporting more park space. My colleagues and I always look forward to visits from Three Rivers, in part because they bring baby sheep with them!
Energy Committee Update
In the Energy Committee, which I co-chair, we’re fighting to preserve our 100% Carbon Free Energy by 2040 goals from those who seek to roll back our progress or carve out exemptions that will harm our long-term climate change mitigation goals. We’re working to protect programs that lower energy costs for everyday Minnesotans, and we want to continue our state’s status as a clean-energy leader and clean energy job creator.
In fact, the latest Minnesota Energy Factsheet shows our policies are working and our investments are paying off, creating high-paying clean energy jobs, lowering costs for families, and building a greener future:
- A new record low in carbon emissions, cutting another 4% between 2023 and 2024.
- Residents and businesses have saved more than $307 million in energy costs from the Energy Conservation Optimization (ECO) Act.
- Minnesota is ranked No. 1 in the Midwest for overall energy efficiency, and No. 10 nationwide!
Here at the Capitol, I’m dedicated to protecting our progress from those who are seeking to repeal the legislation that made this positive change possible.
Passing Budget Bills
As I said above, much of our focus now is on passing budget bills to fund our state government and agencies for the next two years. Working together with Republicans, we’re making good progress, and all our bills are passing with bipartisan support.
I voted for our Agriculture Budget, which invests in Farm to School and Early Care programs, supporting local farmers and providing our children and families with healthy food. I also supported our Legacy bill, which uses funds raised by the Lottery to protect, preserve, and enhance our environment, water, parks and trails, and cultural heritage.
We passed our Public Safety and Judiciary budget, which works to protect our historic reforms, needed investments, and prevents regressive legislation, all while improving victim services, police training, and data protections for judges. I voted Yes on our Veterans Budget bill, which works to help Minnesota’s veterans as federal funding cuts leave them more at risk than ever before.
While some of these budgets have contained provisions or funding I don’t agree with, I recognize the importance of compromise in our current tied House, and I’ll continue advocating for a people-focused budget that improves the lives of people in our District.
Staying in touch
Please reach out if you have any questions or feedback you would like to share. You can contact me by email at rep.patty.acomb@house.mn.gov or call my office during business hours at (651) 296-9934.
Sincerely,
Patty Acomb
State Representative