Dear Friends and Neighbors,

With the third legislative deadline now behind us, the House has been working hard to finalize omnibus bills and move toward wrapping up committee work for the session. These large budget bills pull together ideas from dozens of individual proposals, many of which come from community input and months of conversations. While the process can be complex and sometimes frustrating, I’ve been focused on ensuring that the priorities of our district — like strong infrastructure, public safety, and support for veterans — are included in the final negotiations.

One area where there’s strong bipartisan agreement is taking care of those who served. I’m proud to share that the House has reached agreement on this year’s Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill. This bipartisan bill includes targeted investments in mental health support, suicide prevention, and expanded services for veteran housing and long-term care. Even in a tight budget year, we found a way to keep our promises to those who put on the uniform.

Earlier last week, the Capitol was filled with veterans, their families, and service organizations for Veterans Day on the Hill. It was an honor to meet with folks from across the state who continue to serve their communities long after their military service has ended. Hearing their stories and seeing their advocacy up close is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Thank you to all who took the time to come to St. Paul and share your experiences. I’ll keep working to make sure your voices are heard at the Capitol.

This week is the Legislature’s Spring Break, which we observe to allow members to celebrate Christian Holy Week and Easter as well as Passover. It’s a great time to get back to the communities we serve and spend some time in town with all of you and with our families.

The Legislature will reconvene on the 21st, and it will be full steam ahead. We’ll be working on the budget bills that passed committees last week. We have to pass them through the House, then hold conference committees to align our bills with the Senate bills before they can make their way to the Governor's desk. 

Happy Easter and Passover!