Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, It’s been another busy week here at the Capitol. I am excited to announce that we officially wrapped up our omnibus bill in the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee on Thursday, April 24, the Children and Families Committee is set to finish up our omnibus bill on Thursday, April 24, and finally we are projected to pass our Environment omnibus bill on Tuesday, May 6. Things have been moving quickly, and I’ve been working hard to make sure your voices are heard at every step. While Republicans have stayed focused and kept the momentum going, it’s been frustrating to watch the majority party get in their own way with unnecessary delays. Democrats didn’t even bother to show up for the first three weeks of session, and now this week, they’ve completely backtracked on their own K-12 education bill. They moved it out of the Ways & Means Committee on Tuesday, only to pull it back on Wednesday and refuse to bring it to the House floor. Why? Internal disagreements. In the Rules Committee, several of my Republican colleagues called it exactly what it is—dysfunction. Minnesotans deserve better than this. These political games are wasting valuable time and preventing real progress. What’s even more frustrating is the Democrats’ refusal to negotiate on key issues—especially Paid Family Leave. Instead of taking the concerns of Minnesota families and small businesses seriously, they’re charging forward without considering the full impact. If the current proposal is passed, the program won’t be funded by the state—it’ll come directly from your paychecks. Minnesotans simply can’t afford another hit to their budgets. We need to do better. Through all of this, I’m staying focused on what matters—protecting your tax dollars, pushing for accountability, and delivering results. I’ll keep you updated as we move into the final stretch of session. Fraud, Mistrust, and the Need for AccountabilityThis week, the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee uncovered deeply troubling evidence about Attorney General Keith Ellison’s involvement in the Feeding Our Future Scandal—the largest fraud case in Minnesota’s history. Newly released audio recordings reveal that Ellison was not only aware of concerns surrounding certain organizations under investigation, but actively sympathized with them. Some of these very organizations were later indicted for stealing millions in taxpayer dollars. Even more concerning, Ellison offered to apply pressure to state agencies on their behalf—agencies he is supposed to represent as Minnesota’s top legal authority. Despite claims from his office that it "jumpstarted" the investigation in 2022, Ellison previously testified that he had no knowledge of the scandal during a 2021 meeting with individuals connected to the scheme. But the audio tells a different story—and Minnesotans deserve answers. This isn’t about politics. It’s about integrity. Public officials have a duty to act with transparency and uphold the law—not bend it to serve certain interests. When that duty is compromised, it erodes the trust our communities place in government. I will continue to support every effort to uncover the full truth and ensure those in power are held accountable. The people of Minnesota deserve leadership they can trust and a system that works for them—not against them. You can view a clip from Monday's testimony [HERE]. Fighting Back Against Cost Shifts to Our CountiesBack in February, several county commissioners from across the state stood with House and Senate Republicans to sound the alarm on Governor Walz’s plan to push $460 million in costs onto local governments through the Department of Human Services budget. I want to echo their concerns loud and clear: this is a bad deal for Greater Minnesota. Let’s call it what it is — a cost shift, plain and simple. Instead of tightening the state’s own belt, the governor is handing the bill to counties. That puts local leaders in a tough spot: either slash essential services or raise property taxes on hardworking families. Neither option is fair, and neither is sustainable. Counties across Minnesota are staring down multi-million-dollar budget hits under this proposal. Some are facing potential levy increases as high as 9% just to make up the difference. At a time when family budgets are already stretched thin, the last thing Minnesotans need is a property tax hike driven by bad budgeting decisions at the state level. Minnesotans deserve better. Fiscal responsibility shouldn’t mean passing the buck — it should mean responsible planning and honest leadership. I’ll keep fighting to stop these reckless cost shifts and make sure our local governments aren’t left holding the bag. Let’s stand up for our counties and protect the communities we call home. Looking Ahead!As we head into the final few weeks of session, your thoughts, questions, and ideas are more important than ever! These last few weeks are when the real work happens—and your input is what keeps me motivated and focused on what matters most to you. Whether you’re curious about the bills we’re working on or have something else on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to listen and to work on solutions that reflect your priorities. You can always connect with me by phone or email at rep.nathan.nelson@house.mn.gov. It’s truly an honor to represent you at the Capitol, and together, we’re building a brighter future for Minnesota—one idea, one conversation at a time. Take care, and let's finish strong! Sincerely, Representative Nathan Nelson Minnesota House of Representatives, District 11B |