Letter to the Editor from Rep. Jeff Witte

To the editor:

The State of the State address is intended for a governor to update the Legislature on the challenges facing the state, unite the political parties on common priorities, and make the case for his or her agenda for legislative action. 

That’s why I introduced House File 5086, which would require the governor to deliver the State of the State address no later than 30 days after the Legislature convenes every year. The Legislature deserves more from a governor than being props for a choreographed media event — and this bill would help accomplish that. 

We are just 16 days out from adjournment of this biennium, and if last night’s address proved anything, it’s that Governor Walz is not serious about addressing the big issues facing Minnesota: rampant fraud, financially strapped schools burdened by excessive mandates, a desperate need for tax and tab fee relief, or making life more affordable for Minnesotans who are already struggling to make ends meet. 

At this point in a legislative session, we’ve already completed most of our legislative work; yet it was just recently that Governor Walz made his first effort to contact the Speaker of the House in over six months. That is completely unacceptable. 

This is a broken system, and my bill offers a straightforward solution. If the governor is serious about “using every hour left” in his tenure to make a difference in Minnesota, I hope he will take this proposal seriously.

— Rep. Jeff Witte