Legislative Update
 Dear neighbors,
We’re about a month into session, and somehow already approaching the halfway point—which at the Capitol means one thing: things are about to get very busy.
With next week’s bill deadline quickly approaching, the pace is picking up and the pressure is on. And in an evenly split House, it doesn’t take much to slow a good bill down. One hiccup, one disagreement, one delay—and suddenly progress hits the brakes.
That’s the reality of a divided legislature.
It also means that some good, commonsense bills may stall along the way. But gridlock or not, one thing isn’t changing: my commitment to the people of this district and the values you elected me to stand for.
No matter how fast things move—or how slow they don’t—I’ll keep pushing forward!
A Simple Fix for Working Minnesotans
If you earned overtime pay or tips in 2025, you may have noticed a little relief on your federal tax return. Under federal law, certain qualified overtime and tip income can now be deducted.
Unfortunately, Minnesota hasn’t caught up.
That means income that’s excluded at the federal level can still be taxed by the state—creating a disconnect that’s confusing for taxpayers and frustrating for workers who are simply trying to get ahead.
That’s exactly what House Files 3524 and 3525 are meant to fix, and I’m grateful for the work of our Republican members on the House Taxes Committee to move this effort forward. These bills would align Minnesota with federal law so workers can keep more of what they earn—and avoid one more unnecessary complication when tax season rolls around.
At its core, this is a pretty straightforward issue.
Minnesotans are already generous—whether it’s helping neighbors or funding the many layers of government we have. If someone is picking up extra shifts, staying late, or working for tips, St. Paul doesn’t need to take a cut of that too.
While not everyone across the aisle is convinced just yet, these bills are a priority for our caucus and will be front and center as end-of-session negotiations ramp up.
If we’re serious about affordability, this is exactly the kind of common-sense policy that should cross the finish line.
Both bills received a hearing this week and were laid over for possible inclusion in the tax omnibus bill.
A Unanimous Win for Victims and Accountability
 This week, I was proud to pass my first bill of the 2026 legislative session!
House File 2169 received unanimous approval on the House floor in a 134-0 vote. In a closely divided chamber, that kind of bipartisan support sends a clear message: protecting victims and holding offenders accountable is something we can all agree on.
This bill strengthens Minnesota law by ensuring that individuals who commit unintentional murder while under a protective order face enhanced penalties—no matter where that order was issued. Whether it’s from Minnesota, another state, Tribal jurisdictions, or even Canada, a protective order should mean the same thing everywhere: protection.
Too often, technicalities in the law can be exploited. This legislation closes those gaps and makes sure that someone who has already been ordered to stay away from a victim cannot avoid accountability simply because of where that order was signed.
At the end of the day, this is about fairness and safety. We don’t get to pick and choose which victims matter based on geography—and now, our laws reflect that.
I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together to get this done. House File 2169 now moves to the Senate, and I’ll be working to see it across the finish line.
Powering Forward (with a Little Irish Luck!)
 Great conversation this week with local electric cooperatives and their neighboring partners about the real challenges facing Minnesota’s energy future. We focused on what matters most—affordability, reliability, and whether we’re truly prepared to meet growing demand without driving up costs or risking the grid. I’m grateful to the many folks from our district who take the time to connect, share their insights, and help keep our communities running strong. Conversations like these make all the difference.
 Snuck in a quick Shamrock Shake and a hello to Grimace this week to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day—and after that snowy weekend, I hope you all felt a little Irish luck too! It looks like it worked, because warmer temps are finally on the way. Enjoy the sunshine and the break from the cold this weekend!
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Have a great weekend!
— Representative Erica Schwartz
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