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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We are coming up on our final week of this legislative session, and the pace at the Capitol continues to pick up as we work to finalize budget agreements and advance remaining priorities before adjournment. At the same time, this weekend marks two traditions that are special to so many Minnesota families: the fishing opener and Mother’s Day. Whether you’re heading up north to the lake, spending time outdoors, or celebrating the moms and mother figures who do so much for our families and communities, I hope you have an enjoyable and meaningful weekend.
Supporting all Students
One of the bills I have been very proud to author this session is HF 3900, which makes an important modernization to how Minnesota manages and distributes earnings from the Permanent School Fund. I am pleased to share that this week the bill successfully passed the House floor and Senate. This is an important step forward in strengthening a long-term, reliable source of funding for Minnesota schools.
The Permanent School Fund is a historic financial resource that exists to benefit Minnesota students and school districts, but the current distribution formula can create uncertainty for schools because payments are tied directly to annual interest and dividend earnings, which often fluctuate from year to year. HF 3900 updates that approach by moving to a more stable and predictable model that distributes 4.5 percent of the fund’s average net asset value over the previous three fiscal years.
By creating a more dependable funding stream, this legislation would help school districts better plan and budget for the future while ensuring the Permanent School Fund continues to serve students for decades to come. Because the proposal requires a constitutional amendment, the final decision would ultimately rest with Minnesota voters at the 2026 general election. If approved, the updated distribution policy would take effect on January 1, 2027.
I am grateful for the bipartisan support HF 3900 received in the House and remain hopeful that the Senate will take up the bill in the coming weeks. This is a commonsense reform that strengthens one of Minnesota’s oldest educational resources and provides greater stability for schools across our state.
 Finalizing the Housing Bill
I am pleased to share that HF 1141 has officially passed the Minnesota House of Representatives with bipartisan support, marking an important milestone for this legislation and for efforts to address Minnesota’s housing challenges. This bill takes a comprehensive approach to increasing housing opportunities across the state by encouraging new development, supporting workforce housing initiatives, investing in rural and Greater Minnesota communities, and advancing innovative ideas such as senior home-sharing programs that help older Minnesotans remain in their homes and communities. By addressing housing shortages from multiple angles, HF 1141 aims to support economic growth, help employers attract and retain workers, and ensure families have access to safe and affordable housing options.
Passing the House is a significant step forward, but there is still work ahead before the bill can become law. HF 1141 will now move to a conference committee, where members from both the House and Senate will meet to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. Conference committees are an important part of the legislative process and allow lawmakers to negotiate a final compromise that can gain support in both chambers. Once an agreement is reached, the conference committee report will return to the House floor for a final vote before adjournment. I remain optimistic about the progress we have made and look forward to continuing the work needed to deliver meaningful housing solutions for communities across Minnesota.
Fighting for our Miners
I continue to work closely with colleagues, labor leaders, and community stakeholders to secure funding for Miner Unemployment Insurance, an issue that remains critically important to mining families and communities across our region. I am encouraged that this provision has been included in the House Labor bill, which is currently being negotiated in conference committee as House and Senate members work to finalize the legislation before adjournment. At the same time, there is still a path forward for the standalone Miner UI bill as discussions continue in the final days of session. This issue is about more than economic support during layoffs. It is about protecting the livelihoods of workers, supporting families during periods of uncertainty, and preserving a way of life that has long been the backbone of communities across northern Minnesota. I will continue fighting to ensure miners receive the support they deserve and to keep this provision at the forefront as negotiations continue.
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