Interim NewsDear friends and neighbors, Fall is officially here and pumpkin spice season is in full swing! This is one of my favorite times of year as the leaves turn, the air gets crisp, and the kids (and let’s be honest, a few adults too) can’t resist jumping into piles of leaves. There’s something about this season that invites us to slow down, cozy up by the fire, and take in all that Minnesota beauty. Protecting Fairness in Girls’ SportsUnfortunately, not everything happening in our state right now is quite so heartwarming. This week, the Minnesota Supreme Court made a ruling that hits at the very heart of fairness and safety in girls’ sports. The decision reaffirmed that the Minnesota Human Rights Act protects individuals based on transgender status, which means schools and organizations can no longer restrict girls’ sports divisions to female athletes based on sex. Let me be clear: this is a major setback. For over 50 years, Title IX has guaranteed women and girls the right to compete on a level playing field. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of generations before us, female athletes have had opportunities to develop their skills, earn scholarships, and grow through competition. Those opportunities are now under unprecedented pressure. Sports are about more than just exercise—they’re about grit, perseverance, teamwork, and learning how to win and lose with dignity. Those lessons only mean something if the playing field is fair. This ruling puts female athletes at a disadvantage, threatening championships, records, and, yes, in some cases, safety. The good news? Common sense isn’t gone. House File 12, which I proudly endorsed, provides protections to ensure girls in Minnesota continue to have equal opportunities to compete safely and fairly. And it turns out the public agrees: a New York Times poll found 79% of Americans—including 67% of Democrats—support girls-only sports divisions. Fairness isn’t controversial; it’s an expectation. It’s time we stand up for our daughters, sisters, and granddaughters. We owe it to them—and to the spirit of sports itself—to fight for fair competition, opportunity, and safety on every field, court, and track in Minnesota. Celebrating Southern Minnesota’s Economic Momentum On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of attending the State of the Economy Gala hosted by Greater Mankato Growth and the Regional Economic Development Alliance (REDA) at Gustavus Adolphus College. The theme of the evening couldn’t have been more fitting: strong communities build strong economies. That spirit was on full display as leaders from across southern Minnesota came together to celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made through regional collaboration. When our cities, counties, and private sector work hand-in-hand toward shared goals, the results are powerful—lasting growth that strengthens every corner of our region. The event highlighted the vision behind Transforming Tomorrow Together: Southern Minnesota 2040, a forward-looking plan to shape the next generation of opportunity in our communities. Former Speaker Kurt Zellers from the Minnesota Business Partnership delivered an insightful keynote, touching on Minnesota’s unique “headquarters economy,” powered by our diverse business landscape and strong foundation of Fortune 500 companies. It was an inspiring evening and a great reminder that when southern Minnesota comes together, we don’t just grow—we thrive.  Building for the Future: Southern Minnesota Bonding Tour Speaking of helping our region thrive—on Thursday, I joined our Southern Minnesota Bonding Tour, visiting sites across our district that are eligible for future state bonding investments. Two exciting projects were presented: Gorman Park Improvement Project (Saint Peter) – One of the city’s most beloved neighborhood parks is getting a major upgrade! The City of Saint Peter is investing in new playgrounds, accessible walkways, and enhanced green space to create a safe, modern, and welcoming park for families, faith communities, and visitors alike. Highway 169 Reconstruction: Broadway Avenue to Union Street – MnDOT is planning a major reconstruction of Highway 169, and the City of Saint Peter will be coordinating essential underground utility upgrades during the project. Much of this infrastructure is nearly 50 years old, so completing this work now will prevent costly repairs and disruptions later—a smart, efficient investment in the community’s future. From aviation and economic growth to parks and infrastructure, it’s inspiring to see southern Minnesota coming together to strengthen our shared future. When we invest in our communities, we invest in people—and that’s what truly drives progress.  Cracking Down on Election Fraud: Accountability MattersLast week, the House Fraud Prevention and State Oversight Policy Committee, chaired by my colleague Rep. Kristin Robbins of Maple Grove—held a hearing on something Minnesotans care deeply about: election integrity. The focus? A troubling case from 2021–2022 where two individuals pled guilty to federal election fraud after submitting between 500 and 600 fraudulent voter registration forms across 13 counties in our state. Thankfully, our diligent county election staff caught and reported the fraud before any illegal votes were cast, but it raised serious questions that deserve straight answers. Secretary of State Steve Simon and his staff were questioned on how these fraudulent registrations were processed, whether any remain active in the system, and whether non-citizens could potentially vote using state-issued IDs. While some progress was made, there’s still a lot we don’t know. Rep. Robbins sent a follow-up letter requesting more transparency, including: The exact number of fraudulent registrations still marked as “challenged” in the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS). The list of counties affected. An explanation for why the non-profit connected to these fraudulent forms wasn’t fully reviewed once the issue came to light. As Rep. Robbins rightly pointed out, Minnesota doesn’t have provisional ballots for “challenged” or same-day registrations—meaning once a vote is cast, it can’t be withdrawn. That’s why we need to catch potential fraud upstream before it ever hits the ballot box. Our goal as a committee and caucus is clear: to identify where the system broke down and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Minnesotans deserve elections that are accessible, transparent, and protected from fraudsters looking to undermine our democracy. We’re all for making it easy to vote—but hard to cheat. A Family Trip to Our Nation's CapitolThis past weekend, I took a little breather from the busy legislative pace and packed up the family for a trip to Washington, D.C.! Before our flight took off, we made a quick stop at our own beautiful Minnesota State Capitol. My boys and my daughter had an absolute blast “playing chief clerk” and seeing where mom goes to work every day. I think they left with a little extra Minnesota pride, and that was just the beginning of our adventure!  Now, as luck would have it, the federal government shutdown meant that many D.C. buildings were closed to visitors. But that didn’t stop us from soaking up the sights, learning some history, and making plenty of memories. We were even lucky enough to have our very own tour guide—my good friend Kevin Watchman, who served on my campaign last fall.  While I hope House Democrats decide to reopen the government soon (so we can actually get inside next time), the trip was a good reminder of why we do what we do—to keep our government working for the people. Folks here at home can help move things along too: reach out to your U.S. House and Senate Democrats—including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith—and urge them to vote yes on the continuing resolution to reopen the government. Together, we can make sure Washington gets back to work for the American people. Staying Connected!As always, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to stay informed and engaged. Whether it’s protecting fairness in girls’ sports, supporting economic growth, investing in our communities, or ensuring accountability in government, your awareness and involvement make all the difference. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent our incredible district and to work alongside so many thoughtful, hardworking Minnesotans who care about the future of our state. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out with your questions, concerns, or ideas—I truly value hearing from you. Together, we can continue building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Minnesota—one community at a time. Until next time, enjoy the fall colors, cherish time with loved ones, and maybe even jump into a pile of leaves or two. Sincerely, Representative Erica Schwartz Minnesota House of Representatives, District 18A |