Legislative UpdateIt’s been another eventful week here at the Capitol—Committees are buzzing, bills are moving, the House floor is heating up, and we’re tackling the big issues for the people of Minnesota!. Of course, the road back wasn’t without its speed bumps, thanks to the Supreme Court’s ruling on quorum requirements, but that won’t stop us from doing the work Minnesotans expect and deserve. While our friends across the aisle continue their game of political hide-and-seek—dodging accountability for fraud and their tax hikes—Republicans are laser-focused on solutions that actually matter: stopping waste, lowering costs, and keeping our communities safe. Minnesotans deserve leadership that works for them, not political theatrics. We’re here, we’re engaged, and we’re not backing down. Let’s get Minnesota back on track! Also, exciting news—I just launched my official Representative Facebook page! Stay up to date with the latest legislative updates, community events, and ways to get involved. Follow along here! Happy National FFA Week! I want to give a big shoutout to the future of farming, innovation, and leadership – the amazing members of the Minnesota FFA Association! You all are planting the seeds of tomorrow, not just in the fields, but in communities, in kitchens, and across the world. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to growing a better future and feeding us all. We’re beyond proud to support such a passionate group of future farmers and Ag leaders. Keep sowing those seeds – the world is watching and we can’t wait to see what you grow next! A Visit to Remember: U of M Students at the Capitol! What a pleasure it was to welcome these bright and ambitious students from the University of Minnesota-Crookston to the Capitol! I had an incredible time hearing firsthand about the issues that matter most to them, and I’m more than ready to champion legislation that better supports their academic journey. Whether it's securing resources for innovative programs or strengthening support systems for all University of Minnesota campuses, I’m committed to working with students like those from Crookston to ensure their voices are heard. I heard of a heating plant that needs attention so that students don’t need to wear their parkas in their dorm rooms! We’ll see what we can do. A special shoutout to Mya Hooten, University of Minnesota Gymnast, and Koi Perich, University of Minnesota Defensive Back, for joining us and making the visit extra special! Your dedication to your craft is inspiring, and it was an honor to have you with us at the Capitol. Thank you to the entire U of M-Crookston crew for taking the time to make the trek down to the Capitol— you’ve got a fan here! Looking forward to continuing the conversation and fighting for the future of higher education in Minnesota. Until next time, let's keep those ideas flowing! (Bonus: Here’s a photo with Mya and Koi, because who doesn't love some star power at the Capitol!)  Another huge thank you to Senator Mark Johnson, for joining us in giving the students a behind-the-scenes look at the Capitol! Your insight and leadership added so much to the experience, and we’re grateful for your time and commitment to higher education in Minnesota.  Powering Up with PKM Electric Cooperative This week, I had the chance to sit down with PKM Electric Cooperative—the folks who quite literally keep the lights on in our communities! We talked about everything from grid reliability and energy affordability to the unique challenges rural electric providers face in today’s world. PKM is all about delivering dependable, affordable power to families, farms, and businesses, and I’m grateful for their commitment to keeping Minnesota running. I’ll keep working to support policies that help them do just that. Big thanks to PKM Electric Cooperative for a great conversation—and for making sure we don’t have to live by candlelight! Dinner, Discussions, and a Whole Lot of Appreciation! This week, we swapped the school bell for dinner bells and had the absolute pleasure of breaking bread with our amazing school administrators! Joined by Senator Mark Johnson, we shared a night filled with great food, insightful conversations, and plenty of appreciation for the hardworking folks who keep our schools running like well-oiled machines. Our administrators juggle everything from budgets to buses, lesson plans to lunch schedules—and they do it all with dedication and heart. Their work shapes the future, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their leadership. It seems that they would appreciate a little less regulation (fewer unfunded mandates) from St. Paul, and I will definitely work on that. A big shoutout to Senator Mark Johnson for pulling up a chair and diving into discussions about how we can continue supporting our educators and students. With teamwork like this, Minnesota’s schools are in good hands! To our school administrators—thank you for all that you do! You deserve all the gold stars (and maybe an extra serving of dessert). Best Part of the Week? YOU!    Nothing beats a week filled with awesome constituent visits! A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to share their thoughts, concerns, and (let’s be honest) make my job even more rewarding. Your passion and advocacy keep things exciting at the Capitol, and I’m grateful for every conversation. Let’s keep the momentum going—same time next week?  I had an absolute blast chatting with one of our local Crookston librarians—who also happens to be a proud member of the Minnesota Library Association! We dove into the MLA’s proposed bills and priorities for this session, and I couldn’t be more excited to help push their legislation forward. Supporting our libraries means supporting our communities, and I’m all in! Please Reach OutThank you so much for subscribing to my newsletter. It’s truly an honor to represent you and our wonderful community here in St. Paul. I genuinely want to hear your thoughts, questions, and concerns—your voice makes a difference. My door is always open, whether you’d like to meet in person or simply reach out to chat. Feel free to email me at Rep.Steve.Gander@House.MN.Gov or give me a call at 651-296-5091. Just a quick note: replies to this newsletter won’t reach my inbox, so be sure to use the contact info above. You can also now follow my official representative page on Facebook here for updates and more! Looking forward to hearing from you and continuing to work together for our community! Warm regards, Representative Steve Gander
Minnesota House of Representatives, District 1B |