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February 6, 2025
Legislative Update
Dear Friends,
Last week, I shared an update on the legislative gridlock that had stalled our work at the Capitol. Following a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that redefined a quorum, House Democrats refused to show up for nearly four weeks, preventing the Legislature from conducting any official business. This meant that critical issues like tax relief, public safety, and affordability were put on hold.
Agreement Reached – Moving Forward
After weeks of delays, House Republicans and Democrats have reached an agreement that allows the Legislature to function while ensuring fair representation for both parties. This agreement is a major win for Minnesotans and establishes clear leadership moving forward:
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Rep. Lisa Demuth will serve as Speaker of the House for the entire 2025-2026 biennium. This ensures stable leadership and prevents future attempts to stall the House by leaving the speakership in limbo.
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A GOP-led House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee will be created. This committee will have a Republican chair and a 5-3 Republican majority for the next two years. Its primary focus will be investigating fraud, waste, and mismanagement in state government, ensuring stronger oversight of taxpayer dollars.
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Republicans will control all committees with GOP chairs and a one-vote majority for the next five weeks. Until the special election in Roseville on March 11th, Republicans will set the legislative agenda in every committee, allowing us to move forward on important issues like tax relief, public safety, and education reform.
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If Democrats win the special election, committee leadership will shift to an equal split. Committees will have co-chairs from both parties and equal membership, with the gavel rotating between Republican and Democrat chairs. However, Speaker Demuth will remain in her role for the full biennium, ensuring continuity and balanced governance.
While this delay cost us valuable time in an important budget year, this agreement ensures that the House can now function effectively.
Welcoming Members Back & Electing a Speaker
With members from both parties returning to the floor today, we officially organized the House and elected Rep. Lisa Demuth as Speaker. I was proud to vote for her, and I believe she will lead with fairness, integrity, and a commitment to moving Minnesota forward.
Now that the House is fully operational again, I am eager to get back to work on the issues that matter to our district—including eliminating the tax on Social Security benefits, supporting education, and ensuring we make Minnesota a more affordable place to live and work.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Enjoy your weekend and have a great Super Bowl Sunday!
Sincerely,
Rep. Aaron Repinski
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