Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, After nearly four weeks of delays, I’m happy to share that the Minnesota House has finally reached an organizational agreement that will allow legislative work to move forward. It’s about time—this agreement with ensure that the House will be able to conduct official business, pass a state budget, and tackle key issues facing the great people of Minnesota. The House Agreement: What It Means for MinnesotaAs many of you know, the legislative session was delayed due to the absence of a quorum, which is the minimum number of members required to conduct official business. According to the Minnesota Supreme Court, at least 68 members must be present for the House to function. With Republicans holding 67 seats and Democrats at 66, the absence of Democratic legislators left us in limbo. The new agreement establishes a solid framework that allows legislative work to resume while ensuring fair representation for both parties. Here's what's in store: - Republican Leadership for the Biennium: Rep. Lisa Demuth will remain Speaker of the House for the entire 2025-26 legislative biennium, ensuring continuity in leadership and allowing the House to move forward with its work.
- Committee Structure and Control: For the first five weeks following the agreement, Republicans will chair all committees and hold a one-vote majority. This temporary structure allows legislative priorities to be advanced after weeks of delay.
- Bipartisan Committee Co-Chairs (If Necessary): If the upcoming special election in Roseville results in a 67-67 tie in the House, committees will transition to a co-chair system, with equal membership from both parties. In this case, committee control will rotate between parties, ensuring shared decision-making.
- Oversight and Accountability: The agreement also creates a new House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee, which will have a permanent Republican chair and a 5-3 Republican majority for the entire biennium. This committee will be responsible for investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in state government programs, reinforcing the need for fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Why This Agreement MattersThis deal was absolutely essential to getting the House back in business. With a state budget that must be passed this year and many pressing issues to address, it was essential to reach a resolution that allowed for governance to resume. I know the road ahead will require cooperation and maybe a bit of creative problem-solving, but I’m optimistic! This agreement lays the groundwork for us to make meaningful progress on the issues that matter most to our communities. Standing Strong with Minnesota Dairy Farmers On Wednesday, I had the absolute pleasure of joining the Minnesota Milk Producers Association for Dairy Day at the Capitol. There’s nothing quite like meeting face-to-face with the folks who pour their heart and soul into feeding our communities. The passion and commitment of our hardworking dairy farmers are truly unmatched. It was so fun to hear from Hamline University’s Professor of Political Science, David Schultz. If you’ve ever had the chance to listen to Professor Schultz speak, you know he’s a wealth of knowledge and insight. It was a treat to hear his take on policy and the unique dynamics shaping our state. This day was a beautiful reminder of why I’m committed to advocating for thoughtful, commonsense policies that help our farms thrive for generations to come. Our dairy farmers work incredibly hard, and I’ll keep fighting to support them. If you want to learn more about the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and the important work they're doing, I encourage you to visit their website at https://www.mnmilk.org/ Thank you to everyone who made this day so meaningful—especially the farmers who took time out of their busy schedules to share their stories. Faith & Fellowship One of the most inspiring aspects of serving here at the Capitol is the presence of local pastors who come throughout the week to pray over our legislators. compassion. It’s a true blessing to work in a place where faith is openly celebrated. Faith is something I hold close to my heart, and knowing that these faithful leaders are lifting us up in prayer strengthens and encourages me. Their presence is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in the challenges we face, and for that, I am deeply grateful! Celebrating Innovation: Black Entrepreneur's Day at the Capitol  Earlier this week, I had the honor of attending and speaking at Black Entrepreneurs Day here at the Minnesota State Capitol. It was such an inspiring experience to be surrounded by so many incredible business owners, community leaders, and policymakers—all working together to shine a light the vital contributions that Black entrepreneurs make to our state’s economy. The event was a great opportunity to not only celebrate the creativity and resilience of these entrepreneurs, but also to talk about the challenges they continue to face. We had an open conversation about the importance of creating an environment where minority-owned businesses can not only survive, but thrive. I’m so proud to support initiatives that empower all entrepreneurs and I encourage you to read more about this impactful event and what's being done to support our diverse business leaders here. Staff Spotlight: Dominica Bernstein This week, I want to take a moment to give a special shout-out to someone who’s been doing an outstanding job on my team—my amazing Media Writer, Dominica Bernstein. Dominica recently joined my team for her first term at the Minnesota House of Representatives, and in such a short time, she’s already made an impressive impact. From managing communications to crafting thoughtful messaging, Dominica has played a huge role in helping us share our work and priorities with you all. A little bit about Dominica: She’s a recent graduate from the University of St. Thomas, where she earned a degree in Political Science and a minor in Theology. Outside of her work here at the Capitol, you’ll probably find her running, spending time at the lake, or visiting her family up in Northern Minnesota—something she makes sure to do whenever she can. Dominica, thank you for everything you do! Your hard work, dedication, and positive energy are truly appreciated. We’re lucky to have you helping to serve the residents of District 17A! A Message to My SupportersI want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone across Minnesota and the nation for the incredible attention and support we’ve received. The pressure you've applied through emails, phone calls, and messages has made a significant impact. Yesterday, the Democrats finally showed up for work—thanks in large part to your efforts. I’m also grateful to our press and news sources that have reported the truth about what’s been happening here at the Capitol. I’d also like to clarify the situation regarding Brad Tabke’s seating. After the Supreme Court's ruling on the quorum issue, there was no clear path forward on how to address that election matter. As a result, House Republicans will now hold a majority of voting seats in all committees. We will chair these committees for the next five weeks and, notably, we will have Minnesota’s first Black Speaker of the House for the next two years. This is a pivotal moment for the conservative movement. An election integrity bill will soon be introduced, marking a significant step forward. These victories are possible because of the amazing support from grassroots organizations and engaged citizens like you. It’s an exciting time for Republicans across Minnesota. I’m thrilled to be here, honored to serve you, and proud to work alongside my dedicated colleagues who have been here since day one. Thank you for your continued support—we appreciate you! Please Reach OutAs always, I’m here to listen and serve you. Please feel free to reach out to my office at 651-296-4228 or by email at rep.dawn.gillman@house.mn.gov. Thank you for the honor of representing District 17A. Together, we will keep working toward making Minnesota a better place to live for all. Warmest regards, Representative Dawn Gillman
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 17A |