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Friends and Neighbors,
It’s always an honor to fight for the men and women who have fought for us. Our veterans and their families have given so much for this country, and we owe them more than just words of gratitude—we owe them action. That’s why I’m proud to support legislation that ensures our military families receive the respect and dignity they deserve, while also standing firm in protecting our constitutional rights and opportunities for future generations.
This week, I want to highlight two critical veteran-focused bills, our ongoing fight to protect fairness in women’s sports, and a look ahead at key Second Amendment legislation coming up in the Minnesota House.
Honoring Military Spouses in Their Final Resting Place
Our service members sacrifice so much for our country, but their spouses bear a burden of their own—long deployments, frequent relocations, and the quiet strength of holding their families together while their loved ones serve. These spouses are the backbone of our military families, and they deserve the right to be laid to rest beside the ones they love when the time comes.
HF 840 ensures that the spouses of military members can be buried in Minnesota's state veterans’ cemeteries alongside their loved ones. It’s a small but deeply meaningful way to honor the lifelong commitment these families make to our country.
No military spouse should ever have to wonder if they’ll be separated from their husband or wife in their final resting place. This is about respect. This is about gratitude. This is about ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten—not in life, and not in death. I am proud to stand with our veterans and their families in supporting this bill.
Preserving Veterans’ Organizations
Minnesota’s veterans’ organizations—VFWs, American Legion posts, and other service clubs—do incredible work in supporting veterans and giving back to their communities. Much of their funding comes from charitable gambling, particularly electronic pull tabs, which have been a lifeline for these groups.
Yet, last year, a Democrat-controlled House quietly inserted a provision into an omnibus bill that rescinded state permission for charitable gambling organizations to sell e-pull tabs, jeopardizing a major source of revenue for veteran-focused initiatives. These funds help support everything from housing assistance to mental health programs and community outreach efforts that directly benefit those who served.
Our veterans have given everything to this country, and the least we can do is ensure that the organizations dedicated to serving them have the resources they need. That’s why I am proud to support HF 733, which removes restrictions on e-pull tabs. The state already takes over 34% of the profits in taxes, which usually means that the state takes home more than our charities do. The least we can do is undo last year’s restriction and return that vital revenue source to our charities.
Shortly too, we should look at that tax rate. People play these games knowing their money goes to a good cause, but the truth is, most of it goes to the state. That is wrong. It should go back into the communities these organizations serve. I will continue fighting to protect these critical funding sources and push back against attempts to undermine the support networks that so many of our veterans rely on.
Defending Women’s Sports
In recent years, the issue of fairness in women’s sports has grown significantly. Across the country, female athletes have lost championships, scholarships, and even Olympic qualifications due to policies allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports. From high school competitions to elite-level events, this trend has sparked concern among athletes, parents, and coaches who believe in preserving a fair playing field for women and girls, but they also have safety concerns. Recent trends have shown a major uptick in injuries to women who have competed against biological men. Even with hormone treatments, biological men typically have more muscle mass and higher bone density, making them stronger and larger than most female athletes, increasing the risk of injury.
Recognizing these challenges, President Trump issued an executive order earlier this month reaffirming that men should not be competing in women’s sports at any level. You canread the full executive order here.
However, last year, Democrats made changes to the Minnesota Human Rights Act that prevents the Minnesota State High School League from aligning with this federal order. This means that despite the federal government making it clear that women’s sports should remain protected, Minnesota’s policies currently put female athletes at risk of unfair competition.
The Preserving Girls’ Sports Act (HF 12) seeks to bring Minnesota in line with federal law and ensure that girls and young women have a fair opportunity to compete. This bill is about protecting the integrity of women’s athletics, maintaining a level playing field, and ensuring that female athletes—who have worked tirelessly to achieve success—aren’t forced to compete under unfair conditions. At its core, this issue isn’t about politics. It’s about fairness, safety, and preserving the opportunities that women and girls have fought for over multiple generations.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward in the legislative session, two key bills that I have authored will be moving forward. These bills are aimed at defending and strengthening your 2nd Amendment rights.
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House File 13 – This bill will clarify self-defense laws so law-abiding citizens have the right to protect themselves and their families when they are in reasonable danger.
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House File 17 – Ensures that law-abiding Minnesotans can exercise their right to carry a firearm without unnecessary burdens by allowing for lifetime permits.
Both of these bills reinforce our fundamental rights and put power back where it belongs—with the people, not the government. I will discuss these bills in more detail as they move along the process.
Have a great weekend,
Representative Matt Bliss
House District 02B
Please Contact Me
It's an honor to be your voice in St. Paul. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, or ideas. Your voice helps me better represent our community. If you'd like to reply, please do so at Rep.Matt.Bliss@house.mn.gov, or call at 651.296.5516, as responses to this newsletter do not get to my inbox.
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