Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, Well, we made it. After a jam-packed session and one final day of marathon negotiations, the Legislature has wrapped up its work—and I’m heading back to East Grand Forks with good news for our corner of the state. This year was my first session at the Capitol, and I didn’t go down there to warm a chair. I ran to make life a little more affordable, to protect our values, and to make sure rural Minnesota wasn’t treated like an afterthought. I’m proud to say we did just that! Agriculture Wins: Standing with Our FarmersAs a member of the Agriculture Finance & Policy Committee, I went to bat for the backbone of our state: our farmers, ranchers, and food producers. And we delivered. Here’s what we got done: - Fully funded wolf and elk depredation payments—because if wildlife is making dinner out of your livestock, the state ought to help you recoup the loss.
- Stopped a $180 million plastics-testing mandate on grocers and food producers. If that sounds like regulatory overkill, that’s because it was.
- Protected the Board of Animal Health from being dismantled by politics. They know how to handle disease outbreaks, and we need them to keep doing their job.
Bottom line? We defended the people who grow our food—and kept the state from making their lives harder. Human Services: Accountability with HeartOver on the Human Services Finance & Policy Committee, I fought for a system that works (for the people who need help) without wasting taxpayer dollars. We managed to: - Deliver $95 million more for nursing homes—a long overdue boost after years of underfunding.
- Stop unfair cost shifts to counties, which would’ve dumped state spending problems onto your local tax bill.
- Pass major anti-fraud measures, including background checks for housing stabilization and new licensing rules for autism service providers.
- Block free taxpayer-funded health care for adults living here illegally.
These aren’t just line items in a budget. They’re real-world changes that make the safety net stronger, smarter, and fairer. A Balanced Budget—Without Raising TaxesLet’s zoom out for a second: In just one session, House Republicans helped deliver the largest spending cut in state history—over $2 billion. That’s what restoring balance looks like in a House that’s now split 67-67. And no—we didn’t raise taxes to do it. No income tax hikes. No new fees on professional services. No massive expansions of bloated programs. Just good old-fashioned Minnesota common sense. Rooted in Service, Focused on YouStepping into this role as your state representative has been one of the greatest honors of my life. It’s not something I take lightly. This session wasn’t about politics for me—it was about priorities. About standing up for the folks I’ve worked beside, prayed with, and shared coffee with back home. It was about protecting the dignity of those in need, making sure rural Minnesota isn’t forgotten, and bringing a little more common sense into the Capitol. There’s still plenty of work to do—but I’m proud of the progress we made. We put people first, we held the line, and we stayed true to the values that make our communities strong. I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me, and I promise to keep listening, learning, and fighting for what matters. My door’s always open. Until next time—stay safe, stay grounded, and thank you for the honor to serve. Sincerely, Representative Steve Gander Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B |