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Dear Neighbors, 

This past week has been a tough one, in Minnesota and across our country. As Democratic members of Congress reminded the men and women protecting our nation that they need not follow unlawful orders, President Trump decided the correct response was to threaten these lawmakers' lives. 

In Minnesota, we don’t need to be reminded how violent words can lead to violent actions. The assassination of the Hortmans and the shooting of the Hoffmans remain fresh in our minds. My DFL colleagues and I were quick to denounce President Trump’s words, but sadly, many of Minnesota’s Republican leaders either forgot their promise to call out violent rhetoric - or did not have the courage to do so. 

You can watch my response to these dangerous comments below, and read the statement from DFL leadership here. 

President Trump doubled down on division and hate last week, posting late Friday night that he would be ending the Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota. Coupled with the recent federal actions we’ve seen in the Twin Cities, it’s clear the Trump administration is only interested in stoking fear in immigrant communities. 

Blaming a whole community for the actions of a few individuals is the definition of collective punishment. It’s been disappointing to see so many of my Republican colleagues in the state legislature use the exact same dangerous rhetoric as the President. While it may be hard for some to believe, it’s possible to seek accountability without resorting to racism.

I want to lift up the words of my colleagues in the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus:

As many of us gather with family and friends this week for the Thanksgiving holiday - a day marking a feast between Native peoples and immigrants - it’s not lost on me that there’s a lot of work to do. 

For my part, I’ll be giving thanks for our community and our neighbors from all walks of life. It’s been a year of incredible highs and lows, but it’s your support and commitment to a better Minnesota that makes this work worthwhile.

I hope you and yours are able to find a time for a peaceful and safe Thanksgiving. 

Investing in Our Community

This fall, the House Capital Investment Committee conducted a statewide tour, visiting sites of proposed infrastructure projects for inclusion in the 2026 Capital Investment Bill - also called a “Bonding Bill” as it’s funded through the sale of state bonds. 

One of their stops was Jones Lake and the Rice Creek Watershed District in our neck of the woods. While Jones Lake is right outside our district, the flood mitigation efforts needed here will impact our own commercial corridors and the entire region.

To put it simply, our stormwater facilities are extremely outdated. The infrastructure we currently have in place isn’t able to keep up with rainfall, which has led to flooding. If we’re able to gain the necessary funding, construction can begin as early as next year. I’ll be fighting for this project alongside my colleagues in the region to ensure we can address this issue and keep our community safe and dry.

Thank you to the local leaders and members of the Rice Creek Watershed District who are helping to lead the fight for this crucial project!

Property Tax Resources

As folks began receiving Truth in Taxation notices from Ramsey County last week, lawmakers were advised that county and local governments are facing a $1 trillion shift from the federal government as part of provisions found in H.R. 1, which was signed into law by President Trump on July 4.

Because counties and local governments don't have many tools beyond property taxes to address this seismic cost shift from the Feds, we're seeing a huge increase in property taxes.

Our property tax increases are the result of the colossal unfunded mandates that Congressional Republicans and the Trump administration have put upon our counties and local governments. 

Minnesotans are already struggling to afford the things we need and we're continuing to see how national Republicans are making life harder for regular folks like us.

When I said that H.R. 1 was a terrible deal, this is the exact sort of thing I was talking about.

There are existing state programs that can help lessen the blow of rising property taxes. While many are familiar with property tax refunds, Minnesota also has a deferral program for senior citizens, and a market value exclusion for properties classified as a homestead. You can find more programs and resources at the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s webpage. 

Stay Connected

With the 2026 Legislative Session fast approaching, my efforts to develop bills are ramping up in intensity. In 2026, I will be carrying a slate of bills on topics that include instituting guard rails around the use of AI in the workforce, supporting small business and economic development, increasing the environmental resiliency of our community, and limiting corporate spending in elections in our state. 

I will also actively support the efforts of my colleagues to make life more affordable for Minnesotans, increase accountability in the use of public dollars, institute common sense gun safety reforms, and move toward Medicare for All Minnesotans.

If there are other priorities that you would like me to support, please don't hesitate to reach out. My favorite bills to carry are the ones brought to me by our community.

You can reach me at [email protected] or 651-296-7153. You’ll either hear back from me or my Legislative Assistant, Isabel.

To keep up with my work in the House, you can either check out my legislative webpage, or follow along on my official Facebook page. Thank you again for placing your trust in me.

In Solidarity,

David Gottfried

State Representative

House District 40B

State Representative David Gottfried

5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-297-8388
Email: [email protected] (replies to this newsletter are not monitored).
Website
Legislative Assistant: Isabel Anderson, 651-296-5999