Legislative Update Friends, Week two at the Capitol has come to a close, and the 2026 legislative session is fully underway. Committees are meeting regularly, bills are being heard, and the work is moving quickly. I continue to serve on the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, as well as the Education Finance and Education Policy Committees. These are areas that directly impact our district. Agriculture is the backbone of our communities, and strong schools are critical to our future. I take both responsibilities seriously. There is plenty of work ahead, and I remain focused on fiscal responsibility, local control, and making sure the voices of families in our district are heard at the Capitol. USA HockeyFirst, what a performance by Team USA at the Olympics. Both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams beat Canada 2 to 1 in overtime. Those were hard-fought wins and exciting games to watch. Minnesota athletes once again proved why we are known as the State of Hockey. We should be proud of the players who represented our country and our state so well. It is a reminder of the strong sports culture we have here and the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that come with it. Capitol GuestOn Monday, Wyatt Johnson from Zimmerman joined me at the Capitol to learn more about how state government works. I always appreciate when students and community members take the time to visit. Government works best when people stay engaged and informed. It was good to spend time walking through the process and answering questions about how legislation moves forward. Thank you, Wyatt, for making the trip! Life Issues UpdateOver the past two weeks, I have heard from many of you about concerns regarding a DFL proposal to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right in Minnesota. I want to be clear. That proposal is not moving forward this session. It remains from last year and does not have the support needed to advance. That said, Minnesota law still allows abortion up until birth. I believe that is wrong. I will continue to stand for the protection of life and work toward policies that recognize the dignity and value of every human being. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and shared your perspective. I appreciate hearing from you.  Dairy Day and Poultry DayWe also recognized Dairy Day and Poultry Day at the Capitol this week. These industries are critical to our state and especially to districts like ours. As a member of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, I value the chance to talk directly with producers. Dairy and poultry farmers work long hours, manage rising costs, and deal with growing regulations. Despite those challenges, they continue to produce high-quality food and support local economies. Agriculture is not just another sector. It is a way of life in our communities. I will continue working to reduce unnecessary burdens and ensure Minnesota agriculture remains strong for the next generation.  Strengthening School SafetyThis week I presented two school safety bills before the Education Finance Committee, HF 3493 and HF 3494. HF 3493 expands Safe Schools funding to charter schools, cooperative units, Tribal contract schools, and nonpublic schools by adding $36 per pupil in state aid. It keeps the current levy in place for districts and allows funding to support school-linked mental health services through telehealth. Safety is not just about the building. It's also about supporting students as well. HF 3494 simplifies school safety funding by combining Safe Schools revenue and Student Support Personnel Aid into one streamlined program. It keeps overall funding levels the same while giving schools clearer flexibility to support counselors, nurses, social workers, and prevention and intervention programs. The goal is simple. Maintain strong safety funding, reduce complexity, and give schools the tools they need to keep students safe.  Protecting Second Amendment RightsSeveral firearm bills introduced this session raise serious concerns. HF 3433 would ban many commonly owned semi-automatic rifles, and HF 3402 would limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds. Both carry potential five-year prison sentences if enacted. Many families in our district legally own the firearms referenced in these bills for hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense. These are responsible, law-abiding citizens. The Supreme Court has been clear that firearms in common use for lawful purposes are protected under the Second Amendment. These proposals would impact countless lawful gun owners while doing little to address violent crime. HF 3351 would also repeal Minnesota’s state preemption law, creating a patchwork of firearm regulations across cities and counties and making compliance confusing for responsible citizens. I believe in holding criminals accountable and addressing serious mental health concerns. I do not support criminalizing law-abiding Minnesotans for exercising their fundamental constitutional rights. I will stand firmly against these measures and continue to defend the Second Amendment rights of the people I represent.  |