RELEASE: Rep. Joe McDonald: Legacy Budget Reflects Minnesota’s Heart and History

ST. PAUL, MN — On Monday, the Legislature passed the 2025 Legacy Finance budget with broad bipartisan support. Representative Joe McDonald (R–Delano), serving his first year as Co-Chair of the Legacy Committee, played a key role in crafting a responsible, meaningful bill that protects Minnesota traditions while bringing greater transparency and accountability to Legacy Amendment spending.

“As a lifelong Minnesotan, I know how much our state treasures its heritage—whether it’s our history, our local art, or our community festivals,” said McDonald. “The Legacy Amendment was created to honor those things, and this budget gets us back to that original intent. We made sure these dollars go to real Minnesotans doing great work in their communities—not to bloated organizations or pet projects with no oversight.”

The final agreement includes major improvements secured by McDonald and his Republican colleagues, including:

• Prioritizing competitive, merit-based grants over individual earmarks—ensuring cultural and historical projects are funded based on need, impact, and public benefit.

• New transparency measures for Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund applicants, including a requirement to submit IRS 990 forms and a ban on using funds for capital construction.

• A 50% cut to Minnesota Public Radio’s budget request, refocusing spending on local and grassroots efforts.

• $1.5 million in grants for county fairs and FFA, supporting cherished Minnesota traditions and the next generation of leaders.

• Investments in preserving Minnesota’s natural beauty, including clean water initiatives, protection of wildlife habitat, and support for outdoor recreation and parks and trails across the state.

“These investments might not make flashy headlines, but they mean the world to small towns and rural communities across our state,” McDonald said. “From historic church restorations to the kids showing their first calf at the county fair—this is the heartbeat of Minnesota. And I’ll always fight to make sure those stories, those traditions, and those opportunities are preserved.”

McDonald also pointed to key wins Republicans secured during special session negotiations, including blocking tax increases, eliminating free health care for adults in the country illegally, and delivering the largest state budget cut in Minnesota history—totaling $5 billion.