Legislative Update Well folks, This week kicked off with a bit of… excitement. Let’s just say, when you’re heading to St. Paul during a full-blown Minnesota blizzard, your vehicle starts looking less like a car and more like a survival kit on wheels. Insulated overalls? Check.
Boots? Of course.
Tow rope, shovel, jumper cables? You bet. Because around here, a few inches of snow—or, you know… 18—doesn’t exactly slow things down. Minnesota grit is real, and so is my commitment to making it to the Capitol no matter what Mother Nature throws our way. I’m happy to report I made it back to St. Paul safely, and I hope all of you stayed warm, safe, and maybe even got a good snowblower workout in. And now, just like that, we’re being treated to warmer temps this weekend (about time!). Might be time to swap the snow boots for sunglasses… fingers crossed! Stars, Stripes, and Keeping the Lights On This photo is pretty epic. It was a big week for energy at the Capitol, and we were grateful to the energy cooperative folks who made the trip in. They took a break from fixing power lines and keeping the lights on back home to show some good old-fashioned patriotism, raising this beautiful American flag for all of us to see.  Capitol Check-In: Fraud Fought & Tax Dollars on the LineNow let’s get down to this week’s business at the Capitol, this is where things get real. First up, a major step forward on accountability. On Monday, the House passed Rep. Joe Schomacker’s bipartisan legislation to remove the fraud-riddled Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) program from statute. This program has cost Minnesotans hundreds of millions of dollars in a scheme comparable to Feeding Our Future. Let that sink in. Minnesotans were left footing the bill for failed oversight and systemic mismanagement, and unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. From Feeding Our Future to HSS, we’ve seen a pattern—well-intentioned programs without proper safeguards becoming targets for fraudsters. That will not continue. Any program we pass moving forward must include strong, built-in fraud prevention measures to protect taxpayer dollars. This vote was a step in the right direction—and I’d call that a fraud victory. Now, let’s talk affordability! The House held urgency to pass legislation carried by Rep. Greg Davids (R–Preston) to re-enact Minnesota’s pass-through entity (PTE) tax—a critical piece of policy that directly impacts thousands of small businesses across our state. And here’s the kicker: it comes at no cost to the state. According to House Republican tax committee members, this would provide a combined $2.05 billion in relief to roughly 66,000 Minnesota small business owners. If we don’t act soon, those dollars won’t just sit on the table—they’ll go straight to the federal government instead of staying right here in Minnesota communities. So what exactly is a “pass-through entity tax,” and why does it matter so much? In simple terms, many small businesses are structured as pass-through entities, meaning they don’t pay income tax at the business level. Instead, profits and losses “pass through” to the owners, who report them on their personal tax returns. For that system to work properly under current federal law, states need to have a PTE tax in place. Here’s the problem: Minnesota’s PTE tax expired at the end of 2025. That leaves business owners in a tough spot—especially since many just hit their March 15 tax filing deadline and are now trying to make decisions for 2026 without clear guidance. As Rep. Davids put it, “This is billions of dollars that could stay in Minnesota instead of sending it to the federal government… Call your CPAs—they’ll tell you how important this is.” Despite the urgency and the clear benefit to Minnesota businesses, Twin Cities Liberals chose to dismiss the effort altogether. At the end of the day, this is about keeping Minnesota competitive, supporting the small businesses that power our local economies, and making sure we’re not sending hard-earned dollars out of state unnecessarily. There’s still time to get this right—but the window is closing. From Farmland to Power Lines: Keeping Minnesota Strong Had a great visit this week with the Clay Soil and Water Conservation District out of Moorhead, Minnesota! Always a pleasure connecting with folks who are on the front lines of protecting our land and clean waterways, supporting our farmers, and making sure our natural resources are managed the right way for future generations. I appreciate the time, the conversation, and the work you do every day to keep Minnesota thriving—boots on the ground and making a real difference!  I also had an excellent meeting with Wild Rice Electric Cooperative out of Mahnomen, MN, along with their neighboring cooperatives this week. We had productive discussions about the real challenges facing our energy industry—affordability, reliability, and how we’re actually going to meet the growing energy demands of our state without driving up costs for Minnesota families or risking outages.  A Life of Service, A Legacy of Honor Law enforcement is more than a job—it’s a calling. Every day when an officer pins on the badge, they are choosing service over self. It’s the quiet, daily commitment to stepping forward to protect neighbors, to stand in the gap, and to carry a responsibility that most never fully see—all in the name of keeping their communities safe. That kind of commitment deserves more than recognition; it deserves our deepest gratitude. This week, I want to take a moment to recognize someone who truly embodies that calling—Sheriff Mitch Bernstein, who has faithfully served Red Lake County for 29 years and has recently announced he will not seek reelection this fall. Nearly three decades of service is not just a career—it’s a legacy. Sheriff Bernstein's legacy is built on trust, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the people he serves. I’ve had the privilege of meeting Sheriff Bernstein while we were in parades together throughout the district, and it doesn’t take long to see the respect he has earned or the impact he has made. What stands out just as much is the legacy he’s built beyond the badge. That same heart for service is clearly reflected in his daughter, Dominica, whom I have the privilege of partnering with in my work here at the House. His commitment to service shines brightly through her—in the way she works, the way she serves, and the way she shows up every day. It’s a powerful reminder that true leadership doesn’t just impact a community—it carries on through the next generation. As Sheriff Bernstein prepares to close this chapter, we thank him not only for the years he has given, but for the example he leaves behind. Sheriff Bernstein, thank you for your service to Red Lake County, for your leadership, and for a truly remarkable career. Your impact will be felt for years to come. Crunch Time at the Capitol: Let’s Get Affordability RightFolks, as we head into the second half of session, deadlines are approaching quickly, and that means final votes are right around the corner. In politics, talk can be cheap. But when it comes to affordability for Minnesota families, that’s not something I’m willing to compromise on. You have my commitment that I will continue working to support responsible policies and push back against proposals that make life more expensive for Minnesotans. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas; I truly appreciate hearing from you! Have a great weekend! — Representative Steve Gander |