Legislative Update - Minnesota’s Budget Forecast

Dear Neighbors,   

Last week, we received the latest budget forecast for Minnesota. This one is especially important because it sets the financial parameters for crafting our state budget for the next two years.  

Our main responsibility in the Minnesota Legislature this year is to pass a balanced state budget, but the chaos, confusion, and uncertainty at the Federal level is only serving to make that job more difficult and put Minnesota’s financial stability at risk. The budget forecast is impacted by the concerns over inflation and a decreased GDP. 

We no longer have a serious partner in the White House when it comes to supporting working families. We’ll do all we can in Minnesota to combat rising prices and lend a helping hand to our neighbor, but we need our Republican partners in St. Paul and D.C. to reject the notion that government only exists to cater to billionaires, and renew a focus on Main Street.

As we build our state budget this year, responsible DFL leadership has ensured we’re doing so alongside a surplus, but that gets more difficult looking to the future as we factor in the impacts of the tariffs and uncertainty caused by the Trump Administration
 
I spoke to Northland News Now about Minnesota’s budget, which you can catch here.
 

 
Republican Priorities on the House Floor 
 
Republicans have not had control over the Minnesota House in over 6 years, so I was curious to see what they’d bring forward as priorities on the House Floor. I’m disappointed to say we have not focused on the economic issues I’ve heard so much about in our community. Instead, it’s been a lot of hyper-partisan bills for cheap political points that have no chance of becoming law. 
 
Like last Monday, when Republicans put forward a bill that does nothing but bully trans kids and make it more difficult for all of our children to play sports. 
 
When it comes to supporting our kids, there should be no shortage of common-ground, bipartisan solutions. Trans kids have been included and playing sports here in Minnesota, without issue, for more than a decade. This bill was an ugly, misguided stunt that would provide scrutiny to the bodies of young girls and does nothing to actually protect or support girls' sports. I was proud to vote against it, and I’m eager to work on the bipartisan solutions Minnesotans care about.  
 
Republicans continued their trend of doomed bills by bringing up a bill that would eliminate a person's duty to retreat when reasonably able to.  
 
I'm a gun owner, a permit to carry holder, and a firm believer in building a safer Minnesota. Our communities are safest when, if reasonably possible, individuals seek to avoid confrontation. That's why I voted against this bill. You can watch my floor speech here.

Credit where credit is due, some good-faith, bipartisan moments have shone through, especially in the areas of public safety. Whether it was gathering data to combat child sex trafficking, allowing local governments to conduct background checks, or making it easier for organizations to accept gifts in relation to the death of a public safety officer in the line of duty - these were all bills that recently passed with unanimous support off the House Floor.  

The latter was in response to the outpouring of support for the colleagues of the slain public safety officers in Burnsville. These were all important bills that make Minnesota safer and support those who keep it safe. Here’s hoping we see more common-ground, bipartisan solutions like these bills this session.      

Make Your Voice Heard on Air Quality  

This week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Imagine Deliver are hosting a community conversation to hear directly from community members like you about Minnesota’s air permitting process and its impact on our neighborhoods.  

This is a great opportunity to share your perspective and help shape recommendations that will improve the program for all of us. Space is limited, so folks are encouraged to register online for the event.   

There are several of these taking place throughout the state, with Duluth’s being held this Thursday, March 13, from 6-7:30pm at the Duluth Public Library. You can register here.   
 

Stay Connected  

Our work in the Minnesota House of Representatives is in full swing. As our weeks down here in St. Paul gets busier, please continue to reach out! I know it’s not easy for everyone in our community to make the trip down to the State Capitol, but I always appreciate it when you do - like the other day when members of the Lake County Historical Society and local Minnesota Historical Society representatives stopped by to talk about protecting and preserving the pieces of history that call our region home.? 

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please feel free to contact my office! You can reach me at rep.pete.johnson@house.mn.gov or (651) 296-4246. You’ll either hear back from me, or our Legislative Assistant, Faith Privett. You can also follow along on my Legislative Facebook page.? ?   

I look forward to hearing from you!?   

Sincerely,  

 

Pete Johnson?? 

State Representative