|
|
Dear Friends & Neighbors,
After four weeks of Democrat members boycotting the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, we officially convened the Minnesota House yesterday! House Republican and Democrat leaders reached a two-year agreement on Wednesday night that enables us to move forward to do the work we were elected to do.
My Republican colleagues and I have been at the Capitol every day since we were sworn in on January 14th, drafting bills, meeting with constituents and holding Committee Working Groups. While I am disappointed we have lost an entire month of the 5-month budget session, I am grateful we have a durable agreement that will enable us to get bipartisan work done for the people of Minnesota and that my Democrat colleagues came back to the Capitol yesterday. Keep reading to learn more about the deal!
I hope you all enjoy a fun Super Bowl weekend, no matter who you are rooting for! Since the Vikings aren’t playing, I decided to support the Eagles in solidarity with a sweet boy named Trey Howard, who was injured in the tragic plane crash in Philadelphia last weekend. He was injured by falling debris as he was shielding his sister in their car. After brain surgery and being in a coma, when he woke up, he asked if he had saved his sister AND if he had missed the Super Bowl! Due to his heroism, his sister was not injured, and he recovered in time to be able to watch the Super Bowl! So, in honor of this brave boy, I hope the Eagles win it for him!
|
|
Executive Summary
-
House Agreement: Major Win for Republican Leadership
-
House GOP Unveils "MN Tax Dollars for Minnesotans" Initiative
-
Upcoming Coffee With Constituents
-
Photos
|
|
House Agreement: Major Win for Republican Leadership
After weeks of legislative gridlock, House Republicans have secured a significant agreement that allows us to govern with a Republican Speaker for the entire 2025-2026 biennium. This is a major victory for ensuring balanced governance and protecting the voices of Minnesotans who deserve to have their priorities represented at the Capitol.
Under this agreement:
-
Speaker Lisa Demuth will remain in her role for the full two-year legislative session, making her the second most powerful elected official in Minnesota.
- Republicans will control all House committees for the next five weeks, while we have a 67-66 vote advantage. This means that for the first time in six years, House Republicans will have full authority over legislative priorities. Once the special election in District 40B in Roseville is held on March 11th, we will either have a 68-vote Majority or we will have a 67-67 tie for the remainder of the 2025-26 session.
-
A Republican-led House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee was created, and I have the honor of being the Chair of the Committee, with a 5-3 Republican majority, for the entire two years. This committee will provide much-needed oversight of government waste, fraud, and abuse in the Walz administration. You can view my comments from our press conference here.
- If Democrats win the upcoming special election and we revert to a 67-67 tie, all committees (except the Fraud Committee) will be split 50-50 with Republican and Democrat members & Co-chairs.
- This agreement guarantees that Republicans will have durable power in shaping policies in the House and it ensures Minnesotans get the balanced leadership they deserve. While we should have been working for the past four weeks, this outcome is a significant step toward restoring accountability and good governance in the House.
|
|
House GOP Unveils "MN Tax Dollars for Minnesotans" Initiative
While negotiations were ongoing, House Republicans continued to push forward on important legislation. Last week, we introduced the Minnesota Tax Dollars for Minnesotans Initiative, a legislative effort aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and ensuring taxpayer resources are reserved for legal residents.
One of the centerpiece bills in this initiative bans sanctuary city policies and ensures that violent criminals who are here illegally are reported to Federal Immigration Enforcement (ICE).
Under current sanctuary city laws, local governments can block law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, which means dangerous offenders can remain in Minnesota communities instead of facing deportation. This bill ensures that:
- ICE is notified when illegal immigrants are arrested for violent crimes, including murder, assault, carjacking, and kidnapping.
- Local governments cannot enact sanctuary city policies that obstruct immigration enforcement.
- Public safety is prioritized over political agendas.
This initiative also includes a second measure which prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded free college & healthcare.
At a time when Minnesota families are facing rising costs and the state and local governments are struggling to pay for public services, we will have to make difficult choices.
We are facing a $5 billion deficit, despite Democrats’ spending the entire $18 billion surplus and raised taxes another $11 billion. House Republicans will continue to prioritize fiscal responsibility and public safety.
|
|
Upcoming Coffee With Constituents
I always appreciate hearing directly from constituents about the issues that matter most to them. That’s why I’m hosting Coffee with Constituents, an informal gathering where you can stop by, share your thoughts, ask questions, and discuss legislative priorities in a relaxed setting.
This is a great opportunity to hear about what’s happening at the Capitol, offer feedback on upcoming legislation, and connect with neighbors who care about our state's future. I look forward to seeing many of you there!
Thank you for staying engaged. I will continue fighting for accountability, transparency, and responsible governance at the Capitol.
|
|
Photos
 Had a great time connecting with small business owners at Sheletta Brundidge’s Black Entrepreneur Day at the Capitol! These small business owners are trying to grow their businesses & make a difference in their communities. We need to empower them by cutting taxes, red tape & onerous mandates! One-size-fits-all state regulations hurt small businesses.
 Such a great conversation with a Family Career & Community Leader of America (FCCLA) student & teacher! They have great skills competitions, CTE & leadership development opportunities!
 So fun to catch up with Amanda Theisen at the Capitol today! She is a metastatic breast cancer THRIVER and it was a joy to see her and hear about her work in economic development! So thankful you are thriving, Amanda!
 Congratulations to Sgt. Valerius, who took her oath of office this week! Thank you for serving our community!
|
|
Click to edit this placeholder text.
Click to edit this placeholder text.
|
|
Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance.
The best way to reach me is by email: rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn.gov. For occasional updates, you can follow my Facebook Page at @RepKristinRobbins. You can also leave a voicemail on my office number, 651-296-7806, which is checked every weekday while we are in session.
Of course, if you are coming to the Capitol, I’d love to meet you! Please reach out if you would like to set-up an in-person meeting.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
|
|
239 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
|
|
|
|
