Legislative UpdateWell folks, The gavel is down and we are officially off to the races! With just over 11 weeks on the clock, this legislative session is shaping up to be one for the books. And let me tell you—House Republicans didn’t waste a single minute getting down to work for you, the people of Minnesota! Earlier this week, I shared a quick recap of my first week back in St. Paul. You can check it out by clicking on the photo below—take a peek and see what we’ve been up to!  Transportation: Time to Stop Wasting MoneyThis week, we held a hearing on bus routes, including Route 201, which currently costs $201 per rider. That’s right—you heard me. Two hundred and one dollars per rider. A good chunk of that comes from subsidies. Folks, that’s money we could be spending on roads, bridges, schools, or real community priorities—not overpaying for empty seats on buses. This session, House Republicans are committed to reining in waste and making sure your tax dollars go further. Taxes: Getting to Work!The House Taxes Committee hasn’t met yet, but we’re ready to roll. On Thursday, we’re hoping to pass the Serenity Tax and address federal conformity, making Minnesota’s tax system fairer and more predictable. Every Minnesotan deserves to know the government isn’t quietly draining their wallets with unnecessary or confusing rules. State Government: Oversight and AccountabilityThis week, State Government met, and staff from the Attorney General’s office gave a helpful overview of IT services and how they protect Minnesotans’ data. While the AG himself was absent, the briefing showed that protecting our information matters—and should be a top priority for every state agency. We also heard from the Department of Revenue about preventing fraud—because let’s be honest, Minnesotans are tired of seeing their hard-earned money wasted. Last session, Senate File 856 proposed an independent Office of the Inspector General to strengthen oversight, increase transparency, and give the state real enforcement tools to stop fraud. It had strong bipartisan support. It passed the Senate. House Republicans supported it. The Governor supported it. And then House Democrats? They showed up with a 25-page “delete everything” amendment, turned a committee hearing into a political stunt, and voted to trash the bill. Unbelievable.  Lastly, if we’re serious about keeping Minnesota affordable, we have to face the facts: rising energy costs are hitting families and small businesses hard every month. When energy prices go up, so do groceries, gas, and heating bills—and that’s not sustainable. The solution? Reliable, stable power—and nuclear energy has to be part of the mix. It provides consistent, carbon-free energy at scale, shielding Minnesotans from the swings we’re seeing in other energy markets. Lower, more predictable energy costs mean stronger budgets for families and businesses across our state. It’s time for an all-of-the-above energy strategy that works—not just for today, but for the long-term. Looking AheadThe 2026 Legislative Session will be challenging—but that’s no excuse to sit on our hands. House Republicans are rolling up our sleeves and putting Minnesotans first, focusing on practical solutions, fiscal responsibility, and fighting fraud wherever we find it. I’m ready, energized, and optimistic about what we can accomplish—especially with your voices guiding our work in St. Paul. Minnesota deserves better, and we won’t settle for less. — Representative Jim Joy |