 Dear Neighbor, The 2026 session has now concluded and there’s a lot of good news to report after a busy weekend of passing good bills to help local residents and all Minnesotans. First off, I’m proud of the local victories we achieved the last two years. Some of the local victories this session include securing infrastructure funding for important sewer and water projects in Moose Lake, Thomson Township and Wrenshall. Those wins follow the work we did to increase school consolidation aid that is helping Wrenshall and Carlton merge. I also led to passage a bill allowing districts to share levy authority for shared facilities to help lower local taxes. It was extremely disappointing to see additional funding for the Cloquet Area Fire District fell to the cutting room floor after having been included in this year’s capital investment package until the final days of the session. Chief Jesse Buhs and I worked very closely with this issue. We have developed a great working relationship and will continue working on pathways to alleviate issues facing this unique fire district. Here is a rundown of some of this session’s biggest victories at large: Tax relief From day one of this session, fellow House Republicans and I prioritized car tab relief, property tax cuts, and cracking down on fraud to help make our state a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. We delivered real results in each of those areas. Local residents and Minnesotans across the state will benefit from the big wins House Republicans secured this year on affordability, including approximately $400 million in tax relief, with $125 million in property tax cuts and $250 million in car tab fee reductions approved last weekend. Property taxes are skyrocketing across Minnesota after Democrats forced costly, unfunded mandates onto local governments, driving increases of as much as $1 billion statewide. Families are suffering the consequences and it’s even forcing some people out of their homes. Republicans focused on real relief this session, including a one-time property tax rebate to help put money back into family budgets. The $400 million in tax relief approved for Minnesotans includes: - $125 million in property tax cuts
- $250 million in car tab fee reductions
- Ending the ballpark sales tax
- One Big Beautiful Bill tax conformity to help Minnesota businesses and job creators
- Extending the Pass-Through Entity tax provision, providing hundreds of millions in relief
- for Minnesota businesses at zero cost to the state.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel credit.
- Delaying PFAS reporting requirements for 9 months through the end of the 2027 session, giving Minnesota businesses relief from costly compliance requirements.
Capital investment A $1.2 billion infrastructure package also received House approval, funding projects locally and throughout the state. The final package funds essential sewer and water projects in Moose Lake, Thompson Township and Wrenshall. The House approved federal tax conformity legislation that helps Minnesota businesses by extending the pass-through entity tax provision, providing hundreds of millions of dollars in relief at no cost to the state. In addition, the House delayed PFAS reporting requirements for nine months through the end of the 2027 session, giving Minnesota businesses temporary relief from costly compliance mandates. Fraud The House adopted Medicaid work requirements included in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill to create long-term savings, strengthen accountability, and help combat fraud. This builds on the House’s recent passage of legislation creating a new Office of the Inspector General and implementing additional anti-fraud reforms aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars and restoring trust in government. Minnesotans have had enough of their hard-earned tax dollars being stolen and wasted on reckless programs and projects. Enough is enough. With all the fraud and wasteful spending, imagine how much more tax relief we could provide by cleaning house in our state programs and government in general. Helping hospitals Medical Assistance reimbursement rates will increase for rural and critical access hospitals under legislation passed by the House late in the session. This change will help place those hospitals on more equal footing with Twin Cities facilities. Supporting counties The House passed major investments in technology updates for counties that is critical to protecting taxpayers, strengthening accountability and making sure benefits go to the Minnesotans who truly qualify instead of fraudsters. Until next time It is good that we were able to succeed on this session’s top priorities without raising taxes and instead finding ways to reprioritize and reduce spending in other areas. Contrast that with what Minnesotans dealt with in 2023-24 under the former trifecta when which spent the $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, increased state spending by 40 percent and continued turning a blind eye toward our state’s rampant fraud problem. It’s clear House Republicans restored balance at the Capitol and Minnesotans are better off because of it. I look forward to spending more time back in District 11A now that the session has ended and will continue meeting with local groups and individuals to discuss the issues. Please let me know if you’d like to set up a meeting because your input always is appreciated. |