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Legislative Update

Dear friends and neighbors, 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! I was grateful for the chance to spend some time at home last week reconnecting with family and catching up with folks across the district. Now that we're back in St. Paul, we’ve hit the ground running. We're deep in the thick of budget negotiations as we work toward our May 19th adjournment deadline. There’s a lot to get done, and I’m focused on making sure the priorities of our district are front and center in these final weeks.

Committee Work

With committee work largely wrapped up, we are now focusing all of our efforts on crafting a balanced and fiscally responsible state budget. Each committee is working through negotiations between GOP and DFL co-chairs to finalize their respective budget bills. Once an agreement is reached, the bill must pass out of committee and move to the House floor for a full vote.

From there, each House bill must be compared to its companion in the Senate. After both chambers agree on a final version, the bill comes back to the House for a final vote before heading to the Governor's desk.

It is a long and detailed process that requires strong bipartisan collaboration, and that is exactly what this session demands.

Health Negotiations

One of the most significant issues in current budget negotiations is the rapidly growing cost of expanding MinnesotaCare to illegal immigrants. In 2023, the Democrat Trifecta voted to extend MinnesotaCare eligibility to this population, originally projecting 7,700 enrollees at a cost of $196 million over four years. However, recent data, only disclosed after repeated requests from House Republicans, shows enrollment has surged to over 17,000. The estimated cost has now increased to more than $550 million.

Illegal immigrants do not qualify for federal matching funds, so Minnesota taxpayers are required to cover the full cost of their coverage. This is happening while the state faces a $6 billion budget deficit and essential services like nursing homes, ambulance services, hospitals, and disability support are facing major cuts. Deliberately sacrificing nursing homes and adult care centers in Greater Minnesota to fund healthcare for illegal immigrants is unconscionable. This is yet another example of the Democrats desire to balance the budget on the backs of Minnesotans. House Republicans are standing firm in negotiations, working to protect critical health services for Minnesotans instead of funding this unsustainable and unfair expansion.

Property Tax Hikes

Another damaging consequence of the Democrat trifecta at the Capitol is the rising property tax burden on Minnesota homeowners. According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, property taxes statewide are projected to increase by over *$900 million* in 2024 compared to the previous year. This is a nearly *6.8% jump*, one of the largest year-over-year increases in recent history.

Although counties are the ones issuing the tax increases, the root cause is clear: a growing number of unfunded mandates from the state. Local governments are being forced to implement new programs without the financial support to pay for them, and homeowners are left to pick up the tab. For example, many counties cite new state requirements in areas like public health, housing, and education as driving factors behind these hikes.

We have seen the harmful effects of these mandates time and time again. It is time for real reform at the state level to ensure local governments are properly supported and taxpayers are no longer saddled with the consequences.

Cereal Day 

On a more positive note, I had the pleasure of hosting 'Cereal Day' at the Capitol alongside Rep. Jim Nash, Rep. Jeff Witte, and Speaker Demuth. It was a fun and lighthearted event where we shared a variety of cereals with fellow representatives, senators, and staff. It was a great way to take a break from the hard work at the Capitol and bond over something as simple as a bowl of cereal. I'm already looking forward to next year's event!

Cereal Day




Please Contact Me

I am here for you! If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to talk, I can be reached by phone at 651-296-8237 or by email <[email protected]>.

Thank you!

Keith Allen Signature

"If you would like to contact Rep. Allen, DO NOT reply to this email. Please reach out directly to "[email protected]"."











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2223 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, MN 55155 [email protected]
651.296.8237







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