Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week, the legislature wrapped up a one-day special session to finish the job of passing Minnesota’s next two-year budget. While it wasn’t always easy, I’m proud to report that we delivered some serious wins for rural Minnesota—especially for the farmers, families, and small-town communities I’m honored to represent. From the start, this session was about bringing balance and accountability back to St. Paul. After years of bloated spending and one-size-fits-all mandates, it was time to stand our ground—and we did. Fighting for Families & Protecting Our KidsAs Co-Vice Chair of the Children and Families Committee, I made it a priority to fight fraud, strengthen oversight, and ensure state resources are actually helping those who need them most. One of the most important changes we made this year gives fraud investigators real-time access to child care attendance records, helping to crack down on abuse and improve transparency. We also secured new protections against child maltreatment and fully funded long-overdue technology upgrades in our child welfare system. These changes aren’t flashy—but they’re meaningful. They help keep kids safe, restore accountability, and make sure your tax dollars are working the way they’re supposed to. A Budget that Stands with FarmersAs a farmer myself, I know firsthand how important it is to support agriculture—not just with words, but with action. That’s why I fought hard to ensure the final budget reflected the real needs of our Ag community. - Wolf and elk depredation payments were fully funded—making sure livestock producers are fairly compensated for wildlife damage.
- We blocked a harmful mandate that would’ve forced grocers and food producers to test food for plastics—an expensive regulation with no clear benefit.
- We protected the Board of Animal Health from changes that would have weakened its disease response and undermined trust with producers.
- We cut nearly $2 million from Second Harvest Heartland after serious concerns were raised about executive compensation. We need to invest in community, not bureaucracy.
Minnesota’s rural economy depends on producers, processors, and local grocers—not top-down mandates from the metro. This budget sends a clear message: we’re standing with our farmers and protecting the communities that feed our state. There’s Still Work to Do!This session wasn’t perfect. But it was progress. We didn’t win every fight, but we held the line against more tax hikes, delivered billions in budget savings, and made sure Greater Minnesota wasn’t left behind. I’m proud of the work we accomplished—but I’m not done yet. Thank you, as always, for the opportunity to serve. I’ll continue showing up, speaking out, and working hard to make sure our values are reflected in the laws we pass. If you ever have a concern, idea, or just want to talk about the weather and the crops—I’m here. Sincerely, Representative Nathan Nelson
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 11B |