A Call to Uphold Integrity and Accountability in the Minnesota Legislature The 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session is officially underway, and I’m proud to have taken the oath of office alongside 66 of my Republican colleagues. We’re here with a clear mission: to make Minnesota more affordable, a safer place to live, and more accountable to taxpayers. But before we dive into the work, I want to take a moment to address the recent actions taken by my Democrat colleagues this past weekend. On the evening of January 12, DFL House members decided to hold a secret swearing-in ceremony behind closed doors—an action that bypassed the formal, public process. This isn’t just a minor procedural hiccup; it’s a breach of trust. By choosing secrecy over transparency, they’ve undermined the very oath we all take to serve the people of Minnesota. This wasn’t just a technical misstep—it was a clear disregard for the voters who sent them here to do a job. Now, I don’t take my oath lightly. I swore to serve the people of District 11B with integrity, and I expect the same from my colleagues. By sneaking around the process like this, some of my fellow legislators have shown they don’t respect the very transparency and accountability that voters deserve from their elected officials. As public servants, we owe the people of Minnesota honesty, openness, and a commitment to doing the work we were elected to do. Even more concerning, while some were taking part in this questionable ceremony, they were also neglecting their basic duties as legislators. It’s frustrating to see elected officials collecting taxpayer-funded paychecks without showing up to do the work. Families, communities, and businesses across Minnesota depend on us to be here, roll up our sleeves, and get things done. When lawmakers fail to take their jobs seriously, they aren’t just letting down the Capitol—they’re letting down the people who pay their salaries. Let me be clear: I’m not standing alone in my commitment to the people of Minnesota. Alongside my 66 Republican colleagues, I’m here to work—day in and day out. We understand the responsibility we’ve taken on and the urgency of the challenges ahead. We’re committed to fighting waste and fraud in government, improving our schools, and making sure every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. As Vice Chair of the Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, and as a member of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee and the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, I’m ready to get to work. These committees are where real change happens. This is where we can secure funding for the programs that matter most to Minnesota families, improve the quality of life in our communities, and ensure that our environmental policies support both our economy and our natural resources. Minnesotans deserve a government that works for them—one that is efficient, transparent and focused on their needs. Unfortunately, some of the recent actions in the Legislature suggest that not everyone shares this vision. We all must remember who we work for—the people of Minnesota. Our job is to serve them, not to play political games or push personal agendas. The work we do here should always be about building a stronger, more prosperous future for this state. I’m calling on my colleagues to put aside partisanship and get back to the real work that matters. Let’s commit to transparency, respect, and—most importantly—accountability. That’s the promise I made to the people of District 11B, and it’s a promise I plan to keep every single day I serve in the Legislature. The people of Minnesota are counting on us. It’s time to get to work! Sincerely,
Representative Nathan Nelson
State Representative, District 11B |