Legislative Update
Dear friends and neighbors,
It has been an interesting week here at the House, and I have stayed really busy. We are working diligently to complete all of our work by May 19th, which is our constitutional adjournment date, so we have been on the floor Monday-Friday. The schedule in St. Paul has kept me from district much more than I would like, but I keep my eye on home when I can. Here's a snapshot of my view from the House floor on Monday, tracking the thunderstorms that impacted Rice and Goodhue County. Thank you to our local sheriff departments and skywarn volunteers for their hard work to keep the public up to date on the path of the storm.
 Omnibus Bills
As I mentioned, we are in the depths of our busy omnibus season, and several of these bills have been introduced on the floor already. On Monday, we heard the higher education omnibus bill which includes provisions to support loan forgiveness programs for veterinary students and for agriculture education teachers. These programs greatly benefit Greater MN and our pervasive agriculture industry. I was proud to rise and speak in support of this bill for many reasons, but namely for its support of agriculture across the state.
Several of our bills have passed, while others are to come and some are stuck in negotiations. With a looming budget deficit, it is imperative that we make strides to fix our fiscal situation, although negotiations have definitely complicated the matter. Myself and other House Republicans are seeking to get ourselves back on track so that we can avoid future financial peril and serve the people of Minnesota well. The next few weeks will be very busy as we try to tie up all the loose ends by May 19th. I will keep you in the loop as our bills continue to progress towards the governor's desk.
 Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers Park District held their 'Animals on the Mall' day this week and brought lambs, snakes, salamanders, and a hawk! It was a great day to be outside and say hi to the furry friends.
North Zumbro Sanitary District
Thank you to Lisa Redepenning, Goodhue City Administrator, and Michael Boulton, Wanamingo City Administrator, for coming to visit on behalf of the North Zumbro Sanitary District. It was a great opportunity to chat about operations and wastewater treatment in Southern MN.
 2024 NFL Coach of the Year
It was fantastic to welcome Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell to the House chamber on Monday. We presented him with a formal resolution, recognizing his accomplishments in the 2024 football season, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record. He is a down to earth guy and an excellent football coach, and we are proud of his hard work with the Vikings!
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