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Good morning!
I hope you had a chance to enjoy the Labor Day weekend and take time to relax with family and friends as summer came to a close. I was grateful to spend part of the weekend at the Pope County Farm Bureau breakfast and catch up with so many of you there. However you spent the holiday, I hope it was a chance to recharge and make the most of the last few days of summer.
Special Session...
You might have heard the news that Governor Walz is planning to call a special session following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School last week. Families, teachers, staff, and community members are working to recover and heal in the aftermath, but this has quickly become a political pawn for Walz and his party. Details have not yet been announced, but if a special session is called any and all legislation will have to pass in a bipartisan manner due to the razor thin margins in the House and Senate.
The bottom line is that something needs to be done to improve school safety and diminish risk at “soft targets” such as schools and churches. Myself and my colleagues will pursue provisions to:
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Protect students by bolstering school security
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Punish criminals, especially repeat offenders
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Provide support for mental health
Additionally, I believe we should repeal harmful laws that undermine parents’ rights, such as the transgender refuge state law, while ensuring that gender confused children get the help they truly need.
If a special session is called, I hope that we can join together in a bipartisan manner to pass common sense legislation rather than pushing for policies that have failed in several other places around the U.S.
High School Juniors: Opportunity to Work a Week at the House
If you or someone you know is a current high school junior, I encourage you to check out the High School Page Program at the MN House. This is a week-long opportunity in which participants spend time engaging in the legislative process, meeting members and staff, and getting a close-up inside look at how the House operates during a legislative session. Applications for the 2026 legislative session are due on December 4th, 2025. Click here for more information about the program or how to apply! I hope to see some students from 12B.
Cold Weather Rule Reminder!
As crazy as it sounds to be talking about winter already, I have an important reminder for you as we look ahead to the coming months. Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule runs from October 1 through April 30 and provides protections for households struggling to pay their natural gas bills. While it does not forbid winter disconnections, it ensures you have the right to set up a Payment Plan based on your financial circumstances. If you keep to your plan, your service cannot be shut off. Customers receiving Energy Assistance, or those who qualify under state median income guidelines, are eligible for special payment terms that limit bills to no more than 10 percent of household income. If you receive a disconnect notice this winter, call CenterPoint Energy immediately at 612-372-4680 or 800-729-6164 to set up a plan or request help. This rule is a great safeguard for residents who fall behind on bills, and an important tool to keep in mind in case you or someone you know needs to use it. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
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