Legislative Update from Rep. Warwas

Dear friends and neighbors on the Iron Range,  

We are now heading into the final week of the 2026 legislative session. Over the next several days, we will be working through final negotiations, budget agreements, and major policy bills before the constitutional adjournment deadline. This is typically the busiest stretch of session, with long days and fast-moving decisions as work continues to wrap up the remaining priorities, like bonding and tax relief. 

Progress Parkway project 

This week, the House unanimously passed a bill that I carried for St. Louis County. HF4006 advances an important funding extension for the Progress Parkway project in Eveleth. The bill allows St. Louis County additional time to use a previously approved $1.4 million appropriation tied to the project, helping ensure the funding remains available rather than expiring before work can be completed. This project is for the area near the Rock Ridge school, and will alleviate the traffic bottle-neck that occurs before school starts, and after it concludes. The phase II part of the project will also foster new development opportunities for Eveleth between Hwy 37 and the school grounds. 

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration after being included in the Senate omnibus package with support from Senator Rob Farnsworth. 

Pack the Capitol Food Drive 

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to join volunteers with Second Harvest Heartland during their “Pack the Capitol” food drive event at the State Capitol. Food banks like this play an important role in supporting local food shelves and helping families who are facing difficult circumstances. I appreciated the chance to spend time packing boxes alongside volunteers and discussing the ongoing need for community support efforts. Thank you to Sophie Wallerstedt and everyone involved for the work they do to help Minnesotans in need. 

Taxes Working Group 

As the legislative session enters its final stretch, much of the work is now focused on negotiations between the House and Senate to finalize bills before they can be sent to the Governor for signature. I was selected to serve on the Taxes Working Group, where Representatives and Senators plan to work through differences in tax provisions and budget priorities between both chambers. This stage of session is critical, as conference committees and working groups help determine the final language of major legislation that will ultimately become law before adjournment. Here’s a look into what I saw in our first meeting, as we met in the Capitol’s G3 Senate Committee room. Note that the skylight in the room is also the same part of the Capitol you see on the 1st floor, in the rotunda.

Passing the OIG bill 

Thursday, May 7th, the House passed legislation to establish an independent Office of the Inspector General focused on investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in state government programs. The bill creates an office that operates independently from the Governor’s administration, which is a key component to combatting fraud as it separates this office from a partisan influenced space. This bill provides law enforcement authority to investigate misconduct and support enforcement actions. The goal is to strengthen oversight, improve accountability, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately across state agencies and programs. Republicans have been exposing fraud, and Minnesotans have seen story after story about how they have been ripped off by people exploiting our social programs. Our goal is to see these fraudsters prosecuted, and I’m grateful most of the DFL members decided to join us in the passage of this bill, which they were unwilling to do on the last day of session in 2025.