Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, It’s now Day 18 of the House DFL shutdown. That’s right—almost three weeks have passed since House Democrats abandoned their constitutional duties, leaving Minnesotans without a fully functioning legislature. This is a disappointing and disrespectful decision that affects not only their constituents but every resident of our great state. On Monday, Secretary of State Steve Simon overstepped his constitutional authority by interfering from the Executive Branch, undermining the House’s ability to compel absent Democrat members to return to work. This frustrating move sets a very concerning precedent, but it does not change our mission as House Republicans, to continue showing up and serving the people of Minnesota. Since day one, my Republican colleagues and I have been here in St. Paul, sleeves rolled up and ready to tackle the issues that matter most to Minnesotans. We’ve been patient, but the clock is ticking. The state’s essential budget must be passed, and countless other priorities demand our attention. All it would take is for just one Democrat member to join us and provide a quorum so that we can resume the work Minnesotans sent us here to do. We cannot afford any more delays—families, communities, and businesses are counting on us. Despite this unfortunate disruption, our commitment remains strong. We continue meeting daily, preparing for when our Democrat colleagues return. Our priorities are clear: - Cracking down on fraud in government programs to protect taxpayer dollars
- Making life more affordable for families struggling with rising costs
- Raising educational standards while reducing unnecessary mandates on schools
- Enhancing public safety to keep our communities safe
- Building a strong economic future by making Minnesota a better place to invest and create jobs
These are essential efforts that House Republicans have been advancing all along, despite the obstacles placed before us. It’s disappointing that we’ve reached this point, but my colleagues and I remain committed to serving you with integrity, transparency, and accountability. Minnesotans deserve leaders who show up, do the work, and deliver results. It’s time for House Democrats to put partisanship aside, end this shutdown, and join us at the table. Let’s get back to the work the people of Minnesota expect and deserve! Looking AheadAs always, your input is incredibly valuable to me. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas about these bills or any other issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact my office by phone or email at rep.nathan.nelson@house.mn.gov. Thank you for the honor of representing you at the Capitol. Together, we can build a better, more accountable Minnesota. Warm regards,
Rep. Nathan Nelson
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 11B |