Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, It is so good to be back at the Capitol with the 2026 session officially underway! There’s always a certain energy that comes with the first week—conversations picking up right where they left off, committees getting organized, and a clear reminder that there is a lot of work ahead… and no time to waste. The reality is this: after the former trifecta spent the entire $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, and layered on mandate after mandate during the last biennium, many Minnesotans are feeling the squeeze. Groceries cost more. Energy costs more. Just about everything feels heavier on the family budget. That’s why keeping our eyes on the prize is crucial. We need to build on last year’s progress by continuing to root out fraud, improve affordability and public safety, cut unnecessary red tape, raise expectations in education, and make sure taxpayer dollars are actually going where they were intended. That shouldn’t be controversial—it should be common sense. House Republicans recently rolled out our top priorities for the 2026 legislative session, and at the very top of the list is “Stop the Fraud.” The estimated $9 billion stolen from taxpayers is staggering. When you break it down, that’s about $3,840 per household. Think about that. For many families, that’s mortgage payments, months of groceries, childcare costs, or utility bills. And the unfortunate truth is that we may never know the full amount lost because of how widespread the problem has become. The silver lining? This issue can no longer be ignored. It’s been front and center in headlines, conversations, and committee hearings. There is real momentum to fix it. House Republicans have already authored several bills to crack down on this abuse, and I look forward to sharing more details with you as they move through the process. For now, here’s a snapshot of our 2026 priorities: - Stop the Fraud
- Make Minnesota Affordable
- Make Minnesota Safe
- Raise Standards, Reduce Mandates
- Make Minnesota Competitive
- Minnesota Tax Dollars for Minnesotans
I’ll continue to keep you updated as legislation is introduced and moves through committees. There’s a lot in the works, and I’m excited to share specific proposals and progress with you in the weeks ahead—so stay tuned. Public Safety Is Personal I am honored to continue serving as Chair of the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. After the heartbreaking tragedies Minnesota has endured over the past year, one thing is crystal clear: public safety must remain front and center. It’s not just a priority, it’s a responsibility. And House Republicans are treating it that way. We’ve already hit the ground running on a comprehensive public safety package, and I am excited to dive into the details in the weeks ahead. Backing our law enforcement officers, strengthening prevention efforts before crime happens, and making sure our justice system is firm, fair, and functional—these are the building blocks of safe communities. Families deserve to feel secure in their homes. Business owners deserve peace of mind when they lock up at night. Kids deserve neighborhoods where they can simply be kids. Public safety isn’t political it’s personal. And I’m committed to making sure Minnesota gets this right.  February 18 is a date that will forever be etched in the heart of Burnsville. A day we remember Police Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and Firefighter/Paramedic Adam Finseth. Three brave public servants. Three heroes. Three men who answered the call to protect their community and made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage is humbling. Their loss is immeasurable. And their legacy will never be forgotten. During our very first Public Safety Committee hearing of the session, we paused for a moment of silence in their honor. The room was still. Heavy. Reverent. It was a powerful reminder that the work we do in that committee room is not theoretical—it is deeply personal. It is about real people, real families, and real communities. We carry their memory with us as we work to strengthen public safety across Minnesota. We honor them not only with our words, but with action. Burnsville will never forget. And neither will we. Looking AheadI’m excited to share more updates in the coming weeks about the important legislation we’re working on. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out—stop by my office, give us a call at 651-296-4237, or send an email to rep.paul.novotny@house.mn.gov. I always appreciate hearing from you! Sincerely,
Representative Paul Novotny |