|
April 28, 2025
Legislative Update
Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter! After a short break, we’re back in action at the Capitol. Budget bills are moving, and we’re focused on delivering real results for Minnesotans. I wanted to provide a quick update on the Governor’s State of the State address and some good news on public safety.
State of the State
Last week, Governor Walz delivered his State of the State address. While he tried to paint a rosy picture, the reality is that reckless spending and higher taxes have left Minnesota in a tough spot. In just two years, Democrats spent a record $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by another $10 billion, and grew government spending by 40%. Now we’re facing a $6 billion deficit.
It’s encouraging that the Governor finally acknowledged we can't keep spending at this pace. But it’s going to take real leadership to fix it, not just talk. I’ll keep fighting for common-sense budgeting, tax relief, and responsible government that works for all Minnesotans.
Public Safety Bill – Protecting Minnesotans
On Friday, we passed a bipartisan public safety bill that reinvests $50 million toward keeping our communities safe. I’m proud to report that it includes several key provisions, including:
- Tougher penalties for sex traffickers, fentanyl dealers, and violent inmates.
- More training and support for law enforcement, with over $8 million a year for use-of-force education and department reimbursements.
- Smarter criminal justice policies like extending the statute of limitations for first-degree arson and improving transparency in officer reporting.
- Cutting waste by repurposing $23 million in unneeded spending to upgrade cybersecurity and IT systems, without increasing government spending.
- Demanding accountability by increasing transparency at the Met Council.
This bill focuses on real priorities: supporting law enforcement, protecting families, and using taxpayer dollars wisely. It’s a strong step forward for public safety in our state.
As we move through the final weeks of session, my focus remains on making government work better for the people it serves. That means protecting your tax dollars, supporting our law enforcement officers, and ensuring that Minnesota remains a place where families can thrive. We’ve made important progress, but there’s still work to do to get our state back on track.
Thanks, and have a great week!
|
