Legislative Update
Dear friends and neighbors,
I hope you are having a good week and finding ways to enjoy these last stretches of winter. Things continue to move quickly at the Capitol as committees meet daily and we work through the many issues facing our state this session. I always appreciate hearing from people back home, and your feedback helps guide the work we are doing. Below are a few updates from the Capitol and topics that have come up this week.
School Safety Starts at the Bus Stop
This week, the House is expected to take up HF3436, my bill focused on improving safety for students at school bus stops across Minnesota. The legislation has already passed the Senate and is scheduled for a vote on the House floor Monday. If it passes the House, the bill will head to Tim Walz for his signature.
When people talk about school safety, the conversation often centers on what happens inside school buildings. Those discussions are important, but for many students the school day begins long before they ever reach the classroom. Every morning, children across Minnesota walk to the end of their driveway or gather along neighborhood roads and highways while they wait for the bus. In rural areas especially, these stops are often located near busy roads where traffic moves quickly and visibility can be limited.
HF3436 is designed to address that gap in safety. The bill strengthens protections for students while they are waiting at bus stops and helps ensure that drivers are more aware of the presence of children near roadways. It focuses on practical improvements that encourage safer driving behavior around bus stops and reinforce the responsibility drivers have when students are present near traffic.
The goal is simple. Kids should not have to worry about their safety while waiting for the bus in the morning. Parents should be able to trust that the trip to school starts safely from the moment their child steps outside the door. By strengthening safety around school bus stops, this legislation helps protect students during a part of the school day that often receives less attention but is just as important.
I am grateful for the strong support this bill has received so far, and I am hopeful we will finish the job in the House this week so it can become law and help make Minnesota roads safer for our students.
 Democrats Divert Away From Fraud Again
Over the past two weeks in committee hearings, a pair of comments from DFL lawmakers raised serious questions about how seriously some at the Capitol are treating the issues that matter most to Minnesotans. During one hearing, Rep. Dave Pinto said he was interested in hearing about the “benefits of shoplifting.” In another committee discussion, Rep. Luger Nikolai floated the idea that the state could consider “quintupling” car tab fees to generate more government revenue.
Whether these remarks were meant seriously or made in passing, they highlight a troubling disconnect from the challenges many Minnesotans are facing right now. Businesses across the state are dealing with theft and rising costs, while families are already stretched thin by high taxes and fees. At a time when taxpayers are looking for relief and expecting lawmakers to crack down on fraud and misuse of public dollars, conversations about justifying shoplifting or dramatically raising fees show a set of priorities that feels out of touch.
Minnesotans deserve leaders who are focused on restoring accountability, protecting businesses, and providing real relief to taxpayers. That is where the conversation at the Capitol should be.
Events
This Sunday the 15th, be sure to check out the 4-H Boosters All You Can Eat Breakfast at the American Legion Post in Morristown. This is a great opportunity to engage in the community and support local 4-H Students!
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