Legislative Update Dear Friends and Neighbors, Our 2025 legislative session wrapped up on May 19—but not with the outcome Minnesotans deserve. We ended without a finalized state budget, and that’s a real problem. It didn’t have to be this way. The first three weeks of session were stalled because House Democrats refused to show up for work. Why? One of their candidates was disqualified for not living in the district he ran in, giving House Republicans a temporary one-seat majority. For 23 days, nothing moved. That delay cost us precious time—and now we’re playing catch-up to avoid serious consequences for Minnesotans. To make matters worse, several bipartisan budget agreements—carefully crafted after weeks of negotiation—were abandoned by Democrats. These weren’t radical ideas; they were solid, fair and agreed upon compromises. But pressure from political allies and special interest groups led them to walk away from the table, tossing those deals aside like yesterday’s news. Here’s what’s still up in the air: Health & Human Services: Democrats initially agreed to scale back a new taxpayer-funded health care program for undocumented immigrants, but that changed. The program’s projected cost has now tripled, and unlike MinnesotaCare, this one relies entirely on state dollars. With a $6 billion deficit on the horizon, this is simply not sustainable.. Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML): This program was well-intentioned, but it’s not ready for primetime. It’s placing real pressure on employers, shrinking paychecks, and straining its own budget. We’re calling for a one-year pause so we can fix the issues before they cause more harm. Minnesotans deserve a plan that works for families and small businesses. Education: After far too much delay, we reached a deal to temporarily fund unemployment benefits for seasonal school workers. The holdup? Some groups didn’t like that the bill acknowledged a hard truth—schools can’t afford year-round benefits for nine-month jobs. The final compromise came by redirecting money from a train project to Duluth that, frankly, isn’t going anywhere. Common sense won in the end, but it was a long road to get there Transportation: We're close—but last-minute disagreements over new environmental mandates are holding things up. These rules would raise the cost of building roads, which doesn’t make much sense in a transportation bill. We’re asking for a little more time to let businesses adjust and to make sure these projects remain affordable and accessible. Despite the delays and setbacks, there has been progress. Working groups gave it their all, and most of the groundwork is already laid. Now we’re waiting for leadership to finalize a special session—likely coming next week—to get the job done. Fraud and Flight: Feeding Our Future Fugitive Caught at the GateJust when you thought the Feeding Our Future scandal couldn’t get any wilder—another suspect has been nabbed, this time at the airport. Hibo Daar, now the 71st person charged in this jaw-dropping $250 million fraud scheme, was arrested at MSP airport while allegedly trying to flee the country. Authorities say she claimed to be serving 40,000 meals a week to kids in need—sounds generous, until you realize those meals likely never existed. What did exist? A whopping $2.4 million that Daar collected from federal child nutrition funds. Let me put it plainly: this kind of shameless abuse of pandemic relief money is exactly why so many Minnesotans feel frustrated with government programs. And frankly, I don’t blame you. We’re talking about dollars meant to feed hungry children being funneled into luxury items, fake invoices, and—apparently—one-way airline tickets. It’s not just wrong; it’s outrageous. As your representative, I’m committed to making sure we close the gaps that allowed this to happen. That means tighter oversight, real accountability, and making sure relief funds reach those they’re actually meant for—not folks looking for a fast buck and a fast getaway. Stay tuned as this case unfolds—and know that I’ll keep working to make Minnesota’s systems work for you, not against you. Catching Up at Home Before the Special SessionIt’s been a full and heartwarming week in the district — the kind that reminds me why I love serving this wonderful community!  Last Thursday, my daughter Virginia and I headed out to a local classic car show. The weather was perfect, the chrome was shining, and the stories behind each car were just as impressive as the vehicles themselves. Virginia loved picking out her favorites (the convertible in the photo below won her vote), and I loved connecting with so many of my neighbors who share a passion for history on wheels.   I also had the chance to meet with our local BPOU in Nicollet County. We shared an honest conversation about the direction of our state and the priorities that matter most to our community. With a special session right around the corner, it was especially valuable to hear directly from folks at home — your insights help shape how I can lift up your voices and advocate for you at the Capitol. Thank you to everyone who joined the discussion and continues to stay engaged!  To wrap up the week, I had a great meeting with Nicollet Mayor Fred Froehlich. We covered everything from city priorities to exciting upcoming projects—and, as always, how we can keep partnering to build strong, thriving communities. I really value Mayor Froehlich’s steady leadership and the genuine heart he brings to serving his city. It’s always a pleasure catching up with him. Moving Forward!I know how important it is for government to work—not just talk. As we enter into this special session, I will remain committed to making sure we pass a responsible budget that keeps government focused on the basics, respects your hard-earned tax dollars, and lives within its means. Thank you for trusting me to represent you. I’ll keep you in the loop as things develop, and as always, I’m here if you have questions, ideas, or concerns. Sincerely, Representative Erica Schwartz Minnesota House of Representatives, District 18A |