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April 11, 2025
Legislative Update
Friends and Neighbors,
With the third legislative deadline upon us, it’s been a fast-moving week at the Capitol. Committees are finalizing omnibus bills—those large packages that include a variety of related policy and budget items—and negotiations between the House, Senate, and Governor are starting to take shape. While things can still shift as we debate amendments and align with the Senate, I’m pleased to report that some of the proposals I’ve carried, particularly in education and housing, have been included in their respective omnibus bills.
That’s encouraging news for our district, and I’ll continue pushing to make sure these provisions stay in the final versions. We’re in the critical phase where good ideas need strong advocacy, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve received from folks back home as we keep working toward solutions that support our community.
Supporting Rural Fire and EMS
Emergency response doesn’t stop at city or county lines, especially in Greater Minnesota where rural fire departments and ambulance services often serve several towns, townships, and unincorporated areas all at once. These shared services are vital to our communities, but funding them has always been complicated and often unfair.
I introduced a bill this year to help change that. HF 526 would create a new state aid program specifically for fire and EMS special taxing districts—the regional partnerships that multiple local governments can form to combine resources and operate more efficiently. My bill would deliver annual state aid equal to 50% of the district’s average property tax levy over the past five years, helping reduce the local burden while improving emergency service delivery. Check out the video above.
We’ve seen firsthand how these special districts can save money and improve response times by eliminating duplication and modernizing operations. But without support from the state, some regions just can’t afford to make that transition.
This week, the House Taxes Committee heard my bill and agreed to move it forward for possible inclusion in the final tax omnibus package.
I also testified on behalf of HF 433, a bonding proposal to fund needed facility improvements for the Cloquet Area Fire District, which serves several communities in our region. These investments in fire and EMS aren’t just about buildings or budgets, they’re about keeping families safe, supporting first responders, and protecting property when every second counts.
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 Cracking Down on Real Estate Abuse
This week, I also co-authored a bipartisan bill with Rep. Anquam Mahamoud to help prevent abuse in real estate contracts. The measure includes some important technical updates to our state’s statutes on contracts for DEED, specifically targeting bad actors who exploit loopholes to take advantage of buyers (video right).
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This fix ensures better transparency and accountability for investor sellers and protects families who are pursuing homeownership through this alternative financing option. It’s a small but important step in making sure our housing system works for everyone—and it passed with support from both sides of the aisle. |
Investing in Local Roads and Community Safety
I was also glad to see HF 836, a bill funding local road improvements in Sturgeon Lake, continue to move forward (video of hearing right). Investing in roads isn’t just about smoother commutes—it’s about safety, economic development, and making sure our communities can grow and thrive. Whether it’s for emergency vehicles, school buses, or small business deliveries, good roads are essential to rural quality of life.
Bringing these investments home is always one of my top priorities, and I’ll keep working to ensure Greater Minnesota isn’t left behind when it comes to infrastructure dollars.
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Local Visitors
 Honored to spend time with this amazing group of heroes at the Capitol during Veterans Day at the Hill.
 Had great conversations with teachers from our district down advocating on behalf of teachers pensions here at the Capitol.
Spring Break and What’s Ahead
The Legislature is on spring recess through Monday, April 21, and while the Capitol may be a bit quieter next week, we’ll be hitting the ground running as soon as we return to wrap up our omnibus bills and finalize the state’s budget. That means long floor sessions, lots of amendments, and plenty of spirited debate ahead.
Because of the break, our weekly newsletter will pause next week—but we’ll be back with more updates soon as we enter the final stretch of session.
Thanks as always for following along, and for the kind messages and calls of support. It’s an honor to serve.
Rep. Jeff Dotseth
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