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Dear neighbors, 

I have big news from the State House! Democrats have secured a hard-fought power-sharing agreement [ [link removed](Signed).pdf%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2hoO59LeEmXRWZpTy7F3kiStSQAbv8GcZfHic0eKvPC5hmFPnsbIPYXm8_aem_dHjgjYDkQaWGiVWEp_UJnQ&h=AT02DR0v-er3iL0nB3r0MgGKgK-cV4IAQTu9n3cIjpr-Bxaj-fSWCprW1ZMpCUUFqLyJjebbae5CGtpCbLAzz4t_Hor824-Pc3M60re_DuV95npAFEuo3u-AI2OulZSgov13&__tn__=R-R&c%5B0%5D=AT016NeildbhpsEfjJ8nDmqlMyVT8-o0YueLkrWlIXIbr3rfA_ydqojVfM26zvzo40ykE1Ld4LGahs47ahyIm-xV9OG_cw00MaNj6cRaKArXXlT4ZdQWcmxi9hmRsb8K7-lGxT2HfmNEhBom7RWdsAnS1iy1D8PGYpCL9IytVN8RzqSsoGzVFjsU3JhyEufhAK4qN5mIqtti7ZmuMA4 ] that honors and protects the will of the voters both in Shakopee and statewide. This agreement is what Democrats have been seeking all along. 

powersharing

On the first day of session, House Republicans violated the state Constitution and attempted to seize power that voters did not give them. If a single Democrat had gone to the Capitol, we know Republicans would have kicked out a duly elected state representative from Shakopee and seized control of the Speakership and committees for the next two years, even though Minnesotans elected equal numbers of DFL and Republican state representatives. Democrats refused to let that happen and were successful.  

Thanks to our efforts, Rep. Brad Tabke from Shakopee will serve his term in office, and Democrats and Republicans will share power if the House returns to a 67-67 tie. Committees will have co-chairs and equal numbers of DFL and Republican members. Passing a bill out of committee and on the House floor will require bipartisan support.  

I’m pleased to report that the 2025 session properly and lawfully got underway on Thursday, February 6. I’ve been working hard in our district over the past few weeks, and I’m excited to bring that work back to the State Capitol. 

I will continue working alongside Minnesotans to build a future where everyone can get ahead, not just the rich and powerful. I will continue to stand up for Minnesotans’ rights and freedoms, and I will do everything in my power to protect people from the chaos, cruelty, and incompetence coming out of the Trump Administration. 

I value your input and encourage you to continue sharing your priorities and ideas for improving our community and state. I'm committed to representing District 66A's values at the Capitol and advocating for an equitable budget that helps all Minnesotans thrive. 

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*ERA in the Hopper* 

A top highlight from last week was introducing the ERA bill. I am honored to be working with a diverse and broad coalition to continue pushing for the passage of an Equal Rights Amendment that is inclusive of everyone who lives in this state and everyone who may live here one day. We're going to keep fighting for our rights. We will not watch them be taken away without a fight.  

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*Protecting Minnesota Consumers * 

As the House is constitutionally organized, our committee work began this week. This year, I’m very honored to serve on the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee, and I’m eager to get to work protecting Minnesota consumers. As we watch the Trump Administration and the Elon Musk team at DOGE dismantle federal protections, it will be even more important to have our state consumer protections working and enforcing our laws. I'm committed to ensuring our state laws are both robust and effectively enforced to safeguard Minnesota consumers. 

A clip of the committee hearing is available on my elected official's Facebook page. Watch it here [ [link removed] ].

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*Upcoming Town Hall* 

I hope you can join our upcoming SD 66 Legislative Town Hall on* Thursday, February 27th from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM at Hamline Methodist Church!*     

We are looking forward to discussing the start of the 2025 legislative session and sharing our district's legislative priorities for the 2025-2026 biennium, among other pressing topics.  

*Time: 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM  *   

*Date: Thursday, February 27th, 2025  *   

*Location: Hamline Methodist Church, 1514 Englewood Ave, St Paul, MN 55104* 

Registration is encouraged but not required. If you have questions or concerns, you'd like to address, you can submit them in advance by registering for the event.   

Register here: [link removed] [ [link removed] ]  

Everyone is welcome to this non-partisan town hall event. Looking forward to seeing you there!  

If you have any questions or need accommodations, please reach out to legislative assistant Emma Erdahl at [email protected]. 

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*Stay Connected*

If you haven’t yet, you can “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page [ [link removed] ] to keep up with my work. I also invite you to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at (651) 296-3824 or [email protected]. I will be happy to assist you. 

For broader legislative information, you can access the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily [ [link removed] ] publication.

It’s an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House. 

Sincerely, 

Leigh Finke

State Representative - 66A

*Legislative Assistant: *Robin Mercer-Taylor  

*Email:* [email protected] 








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