Legislative Update Friends and neighbors, I hope you've been able to soak in this glorious Holy Week! I always love when the easter season rolls around, its just a great opportunity to take a step back from the chaos of our world and refocus on what matters most. As we head into the Easter weekend, I pray that you are able to enjoy time with family and friends, and take a moment to get a good reset for yourself. The joy of the Lord is sufficient, and this week, we give thanks for His ultimate sacrifice. In the midst of our busy lives, it’s easy to feel burdened by the weight of daily struggles. But Easter is a beautiful reminder that through faith, we are never alone. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, followed by His victory over death, offers us the ultimate hope that we can overcome any hardships. This season calls us to lean on the love of God, embrace one another in kindness, and renew our commitment to living lives of service, compassion, and grace. It is a time for each of us to reflect on the blessings we have and consider how we can be a light in the lives of others. As your representative, I continue to be inspired by the strength and resilience of our community. Together, we move forward with faith, hope, and a shared commitment to build a brighter future for all. Let us keep one another in prayer, supporting each other as we continue to grow and serve. May this Easter bring peace to your hearts, joy to your homes, and hope for the days ahead. Blessings to you and your loved ones! Full Hearts, Filling Shelves: Can You Help? I’ve been enjoying my Easter break, getting out across the district and catching up with some truly great folks. One place I always look forward to visiting—especially when I’ve got a little time away from the Capitol—is the North Country Food Bank in East Grand Forks. My friend Susie Novak Boelter, whom I’ve known for many years, does an outstanding job running the food bank. It’s one of those places where you can see the impact immediately. My wife and I have been proud to support their work over the years, and each visit is a reminder of just how important that work really is. There’s so much good that happens at a food bank. I was told that our high school students are some of the most faithful volunteers at the North Country Food Bank—great job, high school students! When the students break for summer, the need for volunteers increases markedly. So...any hours you can offer to volunteer this summer would be greatly appreciated! I’m always grateful for the chance to support incredible organizations like this—and for the people behind them who show up every day to make our communities stronger.   A Conversation Grounded in Service Earlier this week, Representative Tom Murphy was traveling through my district on business, and he reached out for a visit. We were able to connect at a local restaurant, and I was reminded of the amazing group of legislators I have the privilege of working with. Tom brings the same high quality of customer service to his agricultural clients that he brings to residents of his district—and to all Minnesotans. We talked about the session so far, along with the challenges and opportunities we face in the remaining seven weeks. We both agreed that as we work through budgets and legislative priorities, we must keep the people we serve front and center. We will hold one another accountable to the highest ethical standards to continue earning your trust and support. Digging In—At Home and at the Capitol It turns out my Easter break came with a few “hands-on” workouts this year. Earlier this week, my son Tom and I spent some quality time shoveling and delivering horse manure to his garden for fertilizer. Kind of reminded me of some of the days when things start to pile up and get “a little deep” at the Capitol. Serving on the Agriculture Committee, we spend a lot of time talking about things like cover crops, rotational grazing, and proper manure management—so it was pretty neat to see Tom putting some of those same concepts into practice right at home. The best reminder that, what we debate in committee rooms actually does play out in real life… sometimes with a shovel in hand. And truth be told, there’s something about getting your hands dirty—whether it’s helping crops grow in the garden or pushing through the thick of session—the work isn’t always glamorous, but it matters, and you can see the results if you stick with it. If nothing else, it definitely got me ready to head back to the Capitol and finish up strong for the rest of the session. (Yea, I love this stuff!) Rolling Up Our Sleeves for the Final StretchAs always, thank you for the opportunity to serve this incredible community. Your support, input, and encouragement mean more than you know. As we head into the final stretch of session, I’ll keep working hard on your behalf—and I always welcome your thoughts and feedback. Wishing you a blessed Easter weekend and a strong start to the spring season ahead. Sincerely, —Representative Steve Gander |