Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, It’s been another full week here at the Capitol. I am excited to announce that we officially wrapped up our omnibus bill in the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee on Monday, the State Government and Finance Committee finished up our omnibus bill on Thursday, and we are set to wrap up our Taxes omnibus bill on Wednesday, May 7. 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 things moving forward, it’s been frustrating to watch the majority party create unnecessary delays. Democrats didn’t even show up for the first three weeks of session—then this week, they walked back on their own K-12 education bill. On Tuesday, they passed it out of the Ways & Means Committee. But on Wednesday, they pulled it back and refused to send it to the House floor. Why? Internal disagreement. In the Rules Committee yesterday, several of my Republican colleagues called this out for what it is: dysfunction. Minnesotans deserve better. These kinds of games slow down real progress and waste valuable time. Even more frustrating is the Democrats’ complete unwillingness to negotiate on key issues—especially on Paid Family Leave. They are charging full speed ahead with no regard for the serious concerns raised by families and small businesses across Minnesota. If Paid Family Leave is rolled out in Minnesota as currently proposed, it will be detrimental to many Minnesotans. The program isn’t funded by the state—it will be paid for directly out of your paychecks. Minnesotans simply cannot afford another hit to their household budgets. We need to do better. Despite the chaos, I’m staying focused on what matters—delivering results, protecting your tax dollars, and pushing for accountability. I’ll keep you posted as we head into the final stretch of session. Fighting Back Against Cost Shifts to Our CountiesBack in February, several county commissioners—including Clay County’s own Jenny Mongeau—stood alongside House and Senate Republicans to sound the alarm on Governor Walz’s plan to push $460 million in costs onto our 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. Rather than tightening the state’s own belt, the governor is handing the bill to counties. That means local leaders like ours are being forced to choose between slashing essential services or raising property taxes on hardworking families. Neither option is fair or sustainable. Commissioner Mongeau shared that this proposal would cost Clay County nearly $3.2 million every year—amounting to a 6.95% increase in the property tax levy just to cover the difference. And it’s not just us. Some counties are facing projected levy hikes as high as 9%. At a time when family budgets are already under pressure, the last thing we need is higher property taxes caused by bad budgeting at the top. Minnesotans deserve better. Fiscal responsibility shouldn’t mean passing the buck—it should mean thoughtful planning and honest leadership. I’ll continue working to stop these reckless shifts and ensure our local governments aren’t left holding the bag. Let’s protect our counties and stand up for the communities we call home! 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]. Looking Ahead!As always, I’m honored to serve you and represent the incredible people of District 4B. Whether it’s the rising cost of living, local government funding, or just the latest from the Capitol, I want to make sure your voice is heard and your concerns are brought to the table. If you ever have questions, thoughts, or even just want to talk through an issue, my door is always open. Give my office a call at 651-296-6829 or send me an email at rep.jim.joy@house.mn.gov—I truly enjoy hearing directly from folks back home. Don’t forget to follow along on Facebook for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes looks at what’s happening in St. Paul. Have a great weekend—be well, stay warm, and thanks for staying engaged. Wishing you a fantastic weekend!  Representative Jim Joy Minnesota House of Representatives, District 4B |