|
March 14, 2025
Legislative Update
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you well! As we make our way through March, I want to take a moment to say how grateful I am for the support and engagement from folks across our district. Whether it's hearing from you at community events, responding to your emails, or seeing you at the Capitol, your input makes a real difference in shaping the work we do.
Session is moving quickly, and there are several important issues I want to update you on—including legislation that expands access to housing, critical infrastructure investments, and tax relief for charities.
Expanding Homeowner Rights
One of my key priorities this session is making it easier for Minnesotans to achieve and maintain homeownership. That’s why I introduced HF 2014, a bill that modernizes notice requirements for conventional mortgage loans.
Currently, borrowers facing foreclosure may receive critical notices only through physical mail. My bill allows borrowers and lenders to agree on electronic notifications, making the process more efficient and ensuring borrowers have more timely access to important information. This small but significant change provides more flexibility while maintaining consumer protections.
Common Sense Bills Protecting Babies and Mothers
On Thursday, we heard two bills on the House floor that uphold basic human dignity and provide real support for women and families.
-
HF 24 ensures that any baby born alive during an abortion is given life-saving care. This was originally part of Minnesota law but was removed by Democrats in 2023. Regardless of your abortion stance, if a child is born and alive, we have an obligation as a society to provide it with the care it needs.
-
HF 25 directs funding to organizations that provide real resources for soon-to-be mothers. These centers help with housing, medical care, parenting support, and more—giving women the help they need both during pregnancy and after.
Protecting vulnerable newborns and supporting pregnant women shouldn’t be controversial—it’s just the right thing to do. I will continue to advocate for these common-sense and pro-woman policies that reflect our values and prioritize compassion and care over politics.
Fighting for Local Infrastructure Investments
Investing in our communities’ infrastructure is critical for safety, economic development, and overall quality of life. This year, I introduced two bills to secure funding for much-needed water, sewer, and street reconstruction projects:
-
HF 832 (Wrenshall) – Provides funding for water and storm sewer infrastructure improvements and street reconstruction.
-
HF 1661 (Thomson) – Provides funding for water and sewer infrastructure improvements and street reconstruction.
These projects aren’t just about fixing roads and pipes—they’re about supporting local businesses, ensuring we all have clean drinking water, and building a strong foundation for our communities to grow.
Unfortunately, we’ve already lost a month of session due to Democrats failing to show up at the start of the year. On top of that, the power dynamic in the House keeps shifting, and the grim budget forecast will make additional spending difficult. Despite these challenges, I will continue fighting to secure these funds. If it doesn’t happen this year, I’m committed to bringing them up again in the next legislative session and securing these critical investments for our communities.
Charitable Gambling Tax Relief
Minnesota’s charities do incredible work—whether it’s supporting veterans, funding youth sports, or helping those in need. But instead of reinvesting in their communities, they’re often burdened with high taxes that funnel money away from their mission and into bureaucracy in St. Paul.
That’s why I’m supporting a charitable gambling tax relief bill that lowers taxes on these organizations, allowing them to put more money back into their local programs instead of the government’s pocket. This is a common-sense measure that helps strengthen organizations that make our communities stronger.
Photos
 Great having a group of individuals from Carlton, Wrenshall as well as surrounding communities for Minnesota School Boards Association and Minnesota Association of School Administrators Day at the Capitol. Thank you for all your insight!
 Thank you to all the advocates for Care Carlton for stopping by the Capitol to meet with Representative Baker and myself.
 Great having Doug Juntunen (Moose Lake) down at the Capitol.
 Healthy conversation with locals discussing issues with homelessness in greater Minnesota.
 Thank you to everyone that came down from greater Minnesota for Hospitality Day at the Capitol. Always great conversation.
 Healthy conversation with area residents from Land Stewardship here at the Capitol.
 Great having Nathan Barta at the Capitol testifying on behalf of the Thomson Township Water, Sewer, and Street Infrastructure Bill.
Stay in Touch!
As always, I appreciate hearing from you. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your feedback helps guide my work at the Capitol, and I’m always happy to chat about the issues that matter most to you.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and I look forward to seeing you around the district!
Jeff
|
