Dear friends and neighbors,

While approximately ten weeks remain in the 2025 legislative session, only five weeks remain for all bills to make their way through committees by the April 11th deadline. The fact the state’s revenue forecast was only released Thursday last week means committees must fast track their work crafting funding bills for the entirety of state government in the course of the next five weeks.

Sen. Lucero visiting with Riley Gaines Monday last week at the MN Capitol.

Background: Monday last week, the same day Riley Gains made a stop here in St. Paul to advocate for women's rights, Sen. Nelson made a motion to bring SF 916 to the Senate Floor for a vote. The bill is the Senate equivalent to House File 12(Female sports team participation restricted to the female sex), which was voted on in the House the same day. Sen. Nelson attempted to get the bill heard on the Floor but Democrats shut down discussion of the bill on a partisan 34-33 vote.

Why it matters: Senate Democrats continue their blockade preventing efforts to protect the safety and security of girls and women when men compete against women in women’s sports. In the House, every single Democrat also voted against girls and women demonstrating Democrats care MORE about men pretending to be women than women themselves. Not only is the Democrats’ position dangerous to real women, Democrat actions are down right insulting to all women athletes and aspiring athletes who are being elbowed out from reaching their potential and dreams. Democrats blocking the bills in both the House and Senate continues to enable men to be in women's locker rooms increasing the risk of harassment and sexual assault. 

Next Steps: 

Democrat Chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee, Sen. Cwodzinski, made his intentions very clear on the Senate Floor last week that he has zero intention of permitting a bill hearing on SF 916. Chair of committees have sole authority to decide which bills will be heard. Despite Democrat insistence to block, Senate Republicans will continue pushing to get SF 916 heard in the Education Policy Committee in order to protect the safety and security of true girls and women.

Background: The Office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) release their budget forecast Thursday last week projecting a $6 billion deficit by Fiscal Year 2028-2029. Over the last two years, Democrats increased state government spending by 40% to a record ~$70 billion, spent the entire approximate $18 billion previous surplus, and raised taxes by $10 billion.

Why it Matters: The Democrat spending spree over the last two years included prioritizing illegal aliens, payouts squandered to fraud, and massive new Socialist programs all which contributed to the looming $6 billion projected deficit. Given the spending spree and fiscal mismanagement by Gov. Walz and the Democrat trifecta, the State of Minnesota is in a very tough financial situation likely for the remainder of the current decade. Republicans have been warning of the dangers of reckless spending, but Democrats chose to ignore wisdom and instead blame President Trump. President Trump did not increase state spending over the last two years. In fact, Minnesota's financial situation and forecast were based on pre-Trump metrics.

Next Steps: With the split-party Legislature, Democrats and Republicans will be forced to sit down and figure out how to fix this issue together. I look forward to working with my colleague legislators to find ways to cut government funding. I am 100% committed to getting Minnesota’s economy back on track including keeping more money in the pockets of hardworking Minnesotans.

I appreciated discussing art with visitors from Wright and Sherburne Counties during Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday at the MN Capitol!

Tim Walz ponders 3rd term as MN governor despite confirmed massive $$$ fraud investigations, $6 billion deficit, and potential connections to China Communists.

Capitol Address

95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg. 2413
St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-5655

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