Legislative Update
The 2025 session was a historic one, with a 67-67 tie in the House. While Democrats were absent for the first 23 days and we finished 22 days past the deadline, we ultimately got the job done, just as Minnesotans elected us to do.
We cut the budget by 8% from 72 billion to 66 billion. We cut the deficit from 6 billion to 3 billion, and we created the first fraud committee, with tighter parameters for grant appropriations and vetting.
On Monday we debated and passed House File 1 which will block undocumented immigrants, aged 18 and older, from enrolling in MinnesotaCare immediately the day following enactment of the bill and removes any remaining enrollees from the program effective January 1, 2026.
I spoke during the debate, and I understand that many of my colleagues from the other side of the aisle were very emotional, but I also believe it’s my responsibility to speak honestly about the reality we face in Minnesota. The hard truth is this: government cannot give to one person without taking from another. Every dollar we spend at the Capitol comes out of the pocket of a working Minnesotan—and too many of them are already struggling.
Over the past two years, we’ve heard countless stories from constituents who can’t afford groceries, can’t pay their energy bills, and are watching their property taxes rise year after year. Yet during that same time, the state’s budget ballooned by over 40%. Half of Minnesotans are living paycheck to paycheck. These are the very people funding our growing list of government programs and it’s fundamentally unfair. I come from one of the poorest parts of the state, and I see firsthand how another tax or mandate doesn’t help my community...it hurts them. My constituents don’t want more government handouts; they want opportunity. They want the chance to thrive without being taxed into hardship. As my mom always said, “charity begins at home” and for me, that means standing up for the people who are doing their best to get by and deserve to keep more of what they earn. That’s why I am glad to say that we did not raise revenue even though the House Democrats wanted to increase taxes and burden hard working families even more.

While I’m proud of the progress we made this session, there’s still a great deal of work to be done. Families across Minnesota are counting on us to build a future that rewards hard work, protects individual freedoms, and ensures government lives within its means. I remain committed to fighting for you and for the values we share. Thank you for allowing me to represent you.
Have a great weekend and summer,
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