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April 25, 2025
Legislative Update
Dear friends and neighbors,
I hope you had a joyful Easter with family and friends.
With just three weeks left in session, we’re in the final push. Some major bills are moving forward, while others remain stalled. This year’s 67-67 tie in the House has made compromise necessary—no one gets everything they want, but it’s helping keep the process focused on common-sense solutions instead of partisan extremes.
Bill Updates
This week, we passed two major bills—Agriculture and Legacy, and are currently debating the Public Safety bill. While they’re not perfect, they include some important victories for our communities.
Agriculture: This bill helps our farmers by cutting wasteful nonprofit spending, stopping fee hikes pushed by the Governor, and funding crop damage payments caused by wildlife. It’s about keeping farmers in the field and food on your table without unnecessary red tape.
Public Safety: As crime rises, we’re stepping up. This bill boosts training for law enforcement and toughens penalties for serious offenses like arson, sex trafficking, fentanyl exposure, and assaulting jail staff. It's a strong step toward restoring law and order.
Legacy: We protected funding for FFA and county fairs, and redirected money toward priorities that actually reflect the values of Minnesotans, supporting youth, agriculture, and state traditions.
Supporting Local Interests
One of my top priorities at the Capitol is advocating for investments that make a real difference in our region, whether it’s supporting students with special needs or making sure our emergency services are fully equipped.
Rural school districts are doing their best to serve students who require intensive support, but many are out of space and out of options. That’s why I authored HF 568, which would provide $12 million in bonding support for two special education cooperatives: Northern Lights and Area Special Education Cooperative No. 997.
- Northern Lights, located in my district, serves five counties and supports nearly 2,500 students across 6,000 square miles.
- Area 997 covers 11 school districts in northwest Minnesota and serves children from birth to age 22.
These schools work with students who need Setting IV facilities, the highest level of support for behavioral and emotional needs. Without safe, updated classrooms, both students and staff are at risk. These cooperatives don’t have the same funding tools as other districts, so state support is critical. Every student deserves a safe place to learn, no matter where they live.
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I also introduced HF 433, which would secure $10.5 million to build a new fire station for the Cloquet Area Fire District. This district is a proven regional model, merging four departments across two cities and seven townships. It’s a proven model for regional cooperation, reducing redundancy and protecting taxpayer dollars.
The new facility would:
- Improve response times and emergency coverage, and
- Ensure our firefighters have the tools and space they need to serve effectively.
Both bill received hearings this week in the Capital Investment Committee.
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Closing Thoughts
As we close in on the final weeks of session, my focus remains exactly where it’s been since day one: doing what’s right for the folks back home. I’ll keep standing firm on the issues that matter most to our district—safer communities, stronger schools, and a state government that respects your hard-earned tax dollars.
Thanks for following along and staying engaged. I’ll continue to keep you updated as these major bills head toward the finish line.
-Jeff
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