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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you had a blessed weekend with family and friends for the Easter/Passover holiday. I know that I’m thankful for the time I was able to spend in-district. It was great to reconnect with people, hear about local priorities, and take a moment to think about the work ahead. As we dive into this busy budget season, it’s these moments in the district that remind me of what we’re working for—making sure our community’s needs are heard as we make important decisions at the state level. The next few weeks are going to be critical as we work to balance the state budget, and I’m committed to making sure the voices of those I represent are always part of the conversation.
Housing Omnibus Bill
As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, I spent several weeks leading up to the Easter break working hard to negotiate the Housing Omnibus Bill alongside Co-Chair Howard. I’m pleased to share that the bill was agreed upon a few weeks ago and successfully passed out of the Housing Committee, marking an important first step toward getting it to the House floor.
This Tuesday, Rep. Howard and I had the opportunity to present the bill to the Ways and Means Committee. We highlighted the key provisions of the bill and engaged in meaningful discussions about its impact. I’m grateful for the bipartisan support the bill has received so far, and I appreciate the members of the Ways and Means Committee for their thoughtful consideration.
The bill will be on the house floor next week.
State of the State Address
Governor Walz delivered his State of the State address to the House on Wednesday night, and I had the privilege of inviting Casey Venema, the chair of the Itasca County Board of Commissioners, to join me for the event.
 Bonding Projects
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present several bonding bills to the Capital Investment Committee that support important local projects in our district. Thank you to Mayor Hyduke for coming to testify in the committee hearing.
HF296 would provide much-needed funding to improve the Carey Lake Recreation Area, a vital community asset for recreation and tourism.
HF3049 aims to enhance clean water and improve the sanitary sewer system in Palisade, addressing critical infrastructure needs for the community.
Each of these bills represents a unique and pressing local need, and I’m proud to advocate for the support our communities deserve. It’s an honor to fight for these projects and make sure our district’s priorities are heard at the Capitol. These bills were presented to the Capital Investments Committee for an informational hearing, and whether they are included in the omnibus bill will be determined in the coming weeks. I will share an update on that as I have the information.
 Property Tax Hikes
In our district and across the state, residents are bracing for impending property tax hikes due to rising costs and unfunded mandates passed down from the state. These tax increases are a direct result of the state’s budget decisions, which have left counties like St. Louis to shoulder the financial burden. Adding to the strain is the proposed reduction in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding, which helps offset the tax burden in counties with significant public lands. With the state facing a $6 billion budget deficit, cuts to PILT mean local governments are being forced to make up the difference through higher taxes on homeowners and businesses. For communities like Hibbing, this is a double blow—residents already dealing with economic challenges are now at risk of higher property taxes, all while essential services are at risk of losing critical funding. This situation underscores the need for a balanced budget that considers the impact on both local governments and Minnesota taxpayers.
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