Legislative UpdateDear Northlanders, It has been a historic session with the 67-67 tie in the House. However, my first session was also unusual as we were in a trifecta. It’s not surprising we are going into a special session after the House Democrats didn’t show up to work for 23 days while still collecting a tax-payer funded paycheck. I have been sitting on the Labor and Workforce conference committee with members from the House and the Senate. In order to have a joint conference committee bill both the House and the Senate must approve. That being said since the House is in a tie and the Senate is a DFL majority many of us will not be 100% in love with these bills. However, in order to pass the state budget we must negotiate and work together to pass a bill that will be the best for Minnesotans. While working at the Capitol on conference committee for labor and workforce, I came across some startling facts from the Tax Foundation that I felt compelled to share. Minnesota currently ranks 44th in overall taxation and 43rd in corporate tax rates, with individual income taxes ranging from 5.35% to 9.85%. These numbers highlight why so many businesses and families are leaving our state for more affordable options in places like North and South Dakota. I’ve been working to make Minnesota more competitive by supporting proposals to lower tax burdens—like eliminating the lowest income tax bracket—and successfully pushing back against efforts to create a new, higher tax tier. If we want strong schools, hospitals, and public services, we need a solid commercial tax base, not higher taxes. We have more work to do, but I’m committed to helping rebuild a Minnesota that supports growth, opportunity, and affordability for everyone. Click here to watch the video below.  Mining Update Over the past few months, House Republicans have been working hard to extend unemployment benefits for miners on the Iron Range who were laid off by Cleveland-Cliffs. These workers and their families deserve support and clarity, and I’ve been committed to making sure they receive it.
In the final hours of this session, we brought forward a motion to suspend the rules and take up the UI extension bill. That motion passed, and the House moved quickly to pass the legislation as a standalone bill. This action sent a clear message that supporting our miners is a top priority.
Although the Senate did not act before adjournment, I am confident the upcoming special session will include this provision in one of their finance bills. It has strong bipartisan support in both chambers, and I fully expect it to move forward. In order to become law, the bill will need a final signature from Governor Walz, which I expect to happen after its Senate passage. Congratulations Class of 2025 Lastly, I want to congratulate all the 2025 graduates! I wish you the best of luck in all your next endeavors! Events |