Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting a town hall event where we discussed key priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Thank you to everyone who attended and shared their priorities. Hearing directly from you is invaluable as we tackle solutions in the legislature.
Town Hall Priorities
At the town hall, several key topics took center stage:
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Education: Supporting our schools with flexible funding and reforms to ensure every child has access to a quality education.
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Clean Water: Prioritizing investments to protect and enhance access to clean drinking water across the state and protecting our environment.
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Infrastructure: Addressing critical transportation and infrastructure needs to ensure safety and sustainability for all communities.
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Law Enforcement: Supporting our first responders and ensuring they have the resources needed to keep us safe.
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Pensions: Securing stability for retirees and addressing long-term funding challenges.
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HOA Reform: Advocating for fair practices and accountability to protect homeowners’ rights.
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Property Tax Relief: Working to ease the burden on families and ensure Minnesotans can afford to stay in their homes.
Your feedback on these priorities will help guide my work as we begin the 2025 legislative session in just under a month.
Budget Forecast: A Call for Common Sense
The recent budget forecast shows a precarious financial outlook for Minnesota. While the current fiscal year shows a small balance, projections indicate a deficit of $5 billion by fiscal year 2028-29. This is a direct result of unsustainable decisions made last session, which require us to address the tradeoffs and then prioritize funding.
In 2023, the legislature spent an unprecedented $19 billion and raised taxes by $10 billion, despite starting the year with an $18 billion surplus. This reckless expansion of spending—nearly 40% growth in just two years—has left us with programs plagued by waste, fraud, and abuse.
Moving forward, we must re-prioritize common sense. Taxpayers deserve better oversight and accountability. Instead of funding bloated programs that fail to deliver results, we must focus on core responsibilities: providing quality education, maintaining infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and delivering meaningful tax relief.
Stay Connected
Your input is critical as we navigate these challenges. If you’d like to visit the Capitol, attend a town hall event, or host one in your community, I encourage you to reach out. I welcome the opportunity to hear your ideas and priorities directly.
Thank you for your continued engagement and commitment to our district. Together, we can chart a path toward a brighter future for all Minnesotans.
Sincerely,
