Legislative Update Dear friends and neighbors, I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend! I was lucky enough to sneak away for a little sunshine and ocean time with my family in Panama City Beach, Florida. A few days of salt air, sand, and family time was exactly the reset we all needed—and I’m coming back feeling grateful and recharged. We also had so much fun making Easter bunny buns with my daughters and my mom, it’s those sweet, simple moments that make the time together even more special.  With just six weeks remaining in the legislative session, there’s no time to ease back in. In this current political climate, we've had to vote down a lot of legislation riddled with tax hikes, fee increases, and costly mandates. On Thursday, we unveiled our 2027–2028 “North Star Comeback” budget framework. These are proposals we would advance if we held the majority, but they also serve as a great starting point for the conversations happening right now at the Capitol. First and foremost, it’s about protecting family budgets. That means real relief where it counts—expanding property tax refunds, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and strengthening the dependent care credit to help families keep up with the rising cost of childcare. We’re also proposing a daycare cost subtraction to take some of the pressure off young families, and lowering car tab fees—because I don’t know many people who look forward to that bill showing up each year. We’re also working to make sure Minnesota dollars are actually supporting Minnesota students, giving families more flexibility and control when it comes to education. The second piece is something that should be common sense: making government work for Minnesotans again. That starts with cracking down on fraud by creating an Office of the Inspector General and modernizing outdated systems—some of which are over 40 years old—that counties rely on to administer programs like SNAP and Medicaid. If we’re serious about accountability, we need the tools to actually track where the money is going. We’re also pushing to expand school safety funding so every student—whether they attend a public or private school—has access to a safe learning environment. And yes, that includes continuing the conversation around policies like ending sanctuary cities, aligning with federal Medicaid requirements to ensure continued funding, and protecting fairness in girls’ sports. Finally, we’re focused on building a strong, competitive economy that works for rural Minnesota. That includes aligning with federal tax policies that allow businesses to immediately expense research and development investments—something that helps drive innovation and job growth right here at home. We’re also supporting Section 179 conformity, which is a big deal for our farmers and small businesses by allowing them to deduct equipment purchases upfront, rather than over time. And because Minnesota has always been a leader in forward-thinking industries, we’re also looking at incentives like a sustainable aviation fuel credit to keep us competitive in emerging markets. At the end of the day, this proposal comes down to a simple idea: government should be responsible, accountable, and focused on the people it serves—not the other way around. We’ve got a lot of work ahead in these final weeks—but I’ll keep pushing for policies that make life more affordable, strengthen our communities, and keep Minnesota moving in the right direction. Fairness on the Field Shouldn’t Be Controversial On Tuesday, we held an urgency on the House floor to pass three pieces of legislation aimed at preserving safe and fair athletic competition for biological females across Minnesota. Unfortunately, all three proposals were blocked. And here’s the thing: this isn’t just a Minnesota centered conversation anymore. It’s happening on a national—and even global—stage. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently suing Minnesota for failing to protect girls’ sports and women-only spaces. At the same time, the International Olympic Committee has announced that beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, athletes who have gone through male puberty won’t compete in women’s events. One of the bills we pushed, the Preserving Girls’ Sports Act (H.F. 12), and it really is as straightforward as it sounds: girls’ sports should be for girls! It ensures that female student-athletes can compete on a level playing field, something generations of women fought hard to achieve. But here in Minnesota, things have gotten complicated. A recent Minnesota Supreme Court decision opened the door to treating this as a public accommodation issue, and the Minnesota State High School League has refused to comply with federal guidance on this issue. And this isn’t theoretical. Last spring, a male-born pitcher led a girls’ softball team to a state championship in dominating fashion, raising real and valid concerns from athletes, parents, and coaches. During our debate this week, we even heard claims that biology itself is up for interpretation. I think most Minnesotans would raise an eyebrow at that. There are clear, measurable differences between males and females, and ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear, it just puts female athletes at a disadvantage. For decades, girls fought for equal opportunity sports, and I’ll be very clear: I’m not backing down on this. I’ll keep fighting to protect fairness and make sure every girl in Minnesota has the opportunity to compete—and win—on a level playing field. Building Strong Partnerships: Meeting with Local 49ers It was great to connect with members of LIUNA Local 49 and hear about the work happening across job sites all over Minnesota.These are the folks who quite literally help build and maintain the backbone of our state—roads, infrastructure, and the projects that keep Minnesota moving. We had a great conversation about their priorities, the challenges they’re seeing on the ground, and how I can continue to support their work at the Capitol. I always appreciate time with people who don’t just talk about getting things done—they’re out there actually doing it. Proud to stand with them in partnership, and even more excited to keep working together to strengthen Minnesota’s workforce and keep our state building forward.  A Powerful Show of Family, Faith & Freedom I was grateful for the opportunity to speak this week at the Minnesotans for Health & Parental Rights rally—an issue that is incredibly close to my heart. Over the years, I’ve been honored to support legislation that uplifts and protects this cause, but what we witnessed at the Capitol this week was something truly special. Minnesota families—you showed up!!! And not just a handful, over 1,000 strong. Parents, kids, entire families filled all three levels of the Capitol, with even more lining the sidewalks outside. It was incredible. At its core, this movement is about something fundamental: parents know their children best. We must stand for medical freedom and protect the rights of parents to make decisions for their children—in their healthcare, in their education, and in every aspect of their well-being. That’s not just a policy position, it’s a principle—and one worth fighting for. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Minnesota is still a place worth fighting for, and together, we’re doing exactly that. Stay Connected!We’re heading into the final stretch of session, which means things at the Capitol are moving fast—and your thoughts, questions, and ideas are more important than ever. If something is on your mind, whether it’s legislation, an idea to improve Minnesota, or just something you’re curious about, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach me by phone at 651.296.6746 or email at rep.dawn.gillman@house.mn.gov. It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol, and I’m grateful every day for the chance to serve our community. Let’s keep working together to build a stronger, more affordable Minnesota—one conversation at a time. Sincerely, —Representative Dawn Gillman |