Dear Neighbor,
The legislature conducted a one-day special session this week to wrap up business that remained unfinished at the May 19 deadline for this year’s regular session to adjourn. We were set back from the start when House Democrats stayed home instead of showing up for work the first 23 days of the regular session.
In any case, there is a lot of good news to share, especially regarding Minnesota’s new two-year budget. We got a grip on the excessive spending and unnecessary tax increases Minnesota has been suffering under one-party control the last two years. The 40-percent increase in state spending and $10 billion in tax increases they passed unchecked put us on an unsustainable path, with a $6 billion shortfall projected.
Republicans gained equal power in the House last November and worked hard to restore balance at the Capitol. We did so by delivering the largest reduction to government spending in state history with $2 billion in budget cuts. In all, there is $5 billion less spending than the previous budget.
We also blocked all proposals to further raise taxes on Minnesota families. We prevented the creation of a fifth-tier income tax bracket ($8 billion), defeated the governor’s sales tax increase ($400 million), and stopped the expansion of sales taxes to professional services ($334 million) to name a few.
Here is a snapshot of the major bills we passed on Monday, with big wins in each as House Republicans focused on serving all Minnesotans (click the headers for more details):
Rolling back free health insurance for those here illegally
Starting this Jan. 1, the free health insurance program for adults here illegally will end, and no new enrollments are allowed starting now.
Health & Children and Families
We’re putting more money into rural EMS and hospitals, stopping big hikes in healthcare fees and surcharges, and stepping up protections to keep kids safe.
Commerce
The bill blocks new healthcare mandates and keeps funding in place for the state’s reinsurance program, which helps keep insurance premiums more stable.
Human Services
We’re cracking down on potential fraud in substance use disorder treatment billing by tying payments more closely to time spent in care. Plus, we rejected a plan that would’ve shifted major costs to counties for waiver rate exceptions.
K-12 Education
This bill stands up for educational choice by protecting funding for non-public school students and locking in “Science of Reading” strategies, an evidence-based approach proven to help kids learn to read. We’re also making sure schools get some breathing room after last year’s flood of costly mandates that pulled focus and dollars away from the classroom.
Transportation
Good news: No cuts to road construction or maintenance. But we are trimming funding for high-cost, low-efficiency transit lines like the Blue Line to focus on infrastructure that serves more Minnesotans.
Taxes
No new taxes. We protected Minnesotans from income and sales tax increases and preserved Local Government Aid (LGA) and County Program Aid (CPA).
Capital investment (aka, bonding): HF17/HF18
We’re investing $206 million in clean water and drinking water projects, and $86.5 million in roads and bridges, especially in Greater Minnesota. We also cut out the political pork that often sneaks into these bills, so the focus stays on critical infrastructure.
Environment
We’re lowering fishing license fees for disabled veterans, allowing bass fishing year-round, and simplifying the MPCA permitting process so businesses get clear timelines and fewer bureaucratic headaches.
Data Centers
This bill creates a new “Very Large Customer” class for high-demand users at the Public Utilities Commission. It also adds some oversight for water-heavy data centers and extends a key IT sales tax exemption to 35 years. Larger centers will now contribute to the state’s Energy and Conservation Account through a new fee.
Higher Ed
We made smart cuts to address a $239 million shortfall in the State Grant Program, doing our best to protect students from feeling the impact directly.
Labor
This bill extends unemployment benefits for our miners. The bill also includes updates related to non-compete agreements and telecom installers.
Looking ahead
There’s still more to do to get our state back on track after the reckless spending, tax hikes, and extreme policies of the last two years, but one thing is clear: House Republicans have brought some much-needed balance back to the Capitol. We’ve not only stopped their radical agenda, but we’ve actually started making real progress by cutting state spending and standing up for taxpayers.
I will continue doing my best to represent the people of this area throughout the interim months as we begin looking ahead to next year’s session, which is set to start Feb. 17. Let’s hope we get off to a fast start in 2026, unlike this year when House Democrats slowed things down by refusing to come to work the first 23 days of the 2025 regular session.
Please Contact Me
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. You can call me at 651-296-6316, or email me at rep.bernie.perryman@house.mn.gov. I am here to serve you!
Bernie
