Hello Friends, The regular 2025 Legislative Session wrapped-up on Monday, though it wasn’t much of an ending. Several key budgets have yet to be passed, and a special session will be needed to finish that work. So what have we passed? By the end of the day Monday, we had passed budget bills on Veterans and Military Affairs, Agriculture, Housing, Judiciary and Public Safety, and State Government and Elections. We also passed our Legacy bill funding projects that preserve our environment and arts and cultural heritage, a pensions bill helping our teachers, firefighters, and police. Governor Walz and legislative leaders struck a deal that sets a framework for our budgeting process, which remains in place as our efforts continue in working groups on specific budget areas. I’ve been appointed to the working group crafting the Transportation Budget, where I’m working with Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate to reach a deal for our final bill. When we stick to the numbers and the actual needs of the budget, there’s been no shortage of bipartisan progress and accomplishments. Where we’ve hit sticking points have been partisan demands brought up at the last second. Even in the deal reached by state leaders, Republicans were willing to shut down the government - and all the services Minnesotans rely on - just so they could kick our undocumented neighbors off of MinnesotaCare. While the final deal ensures undocumented children still have access to this healthcare program, this is a cruel move by Republicans that does nothing to make Minnesota healthier. Other demands unrelated to passing a budget have crept into negotiations, mostly aimed at rolling back the progress of the last few years by going after Paid Family & Medical Leave, Earned Sick & Safe Time, and unemployment benefits. In the lead-up to a special session, I’ll be fighting for a budget that does right by Shakopee, protects our hard-fought progress, and puts Minnesota on the best footing possible to deal with whatever comes our way. This time is a great opportunity to reach out to discuss what we’ve passed, the work that remains, and what we can do to make our community and state stronger. I look forward to hearing from you! Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn.gov Tenzin Tsangyang, Legislative Assistant | Tenzin.Tsangyang@house.mn.gov |