Minnesota schools are sounding the alarm as costly state mandates push districts toward severe cuts and even statutory operating debt. Despite record funding, new one-size-fits-all programs are overwhelming budgets. I’m advocating commonsense reforms to delay mandates, restore flexibility, and keep our schools from financial collapse—before it’s too late.
Minnesota is facing rampant, multimillion-dollar fraud across state programs, with more than $600 million already confirmed stolen. From childcare to nonprofits to Feeding Our Future, oversight failures have enabled widespread abuse. I’m fighting for real accountability, including an independent Inspector General, to stop waste, protect taxpayers, and restore trust in government.
The House voted on a bill to keep girls’ sports female-only—supported by all Republicans but defeated by one vote. I also advocated for key local water infrastructure projects and supported legislation to strengthen self-defense rights, reduce insurance costs, ensure tax dollars serve Minnesotans, and improve public safety.
Rep. Peggy Bennett co-authored legislation to ensure girls’ sports remain female-only, citing safety, fairness, and strong public support. The bill received a full House vote, with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed—falling just one vote short. Procedural options may allow the bill to return for further consideration.
Peggy reflects on the importance of Title IX and her own first chance to play girls’ basketball, stressing that allowing biological males in girls’ sports erodes fairness, safety, and opportunity. She argues that Minnesota must protect female athletes by preserving the integrity of girls’ sports and the intent of Title IX.
Rep. Peggy Bennett highlights key legislative work at the Capitol, including restoring electronic pull tabs for community charities, advancing proposals to improve literacy and restore local control in health education, strengthening nonprofit oversight, limiting benefits for illegal immigrants, and bolstering anti-fraud and public safety measures. She also met with the Shellrock River Watershed Board.
Peggy Bennett highlights Minnesota’s growing public safety crisis, citing rising violent crime, depleted police ranks, and policies that prioritize offenders over victims. She supports a new Republican plan to strengthen penalties, increase accountability, and give law enforcement needed tools. Her message is clear: Minnesota must restore order and protect its citizens.
Rep. Peggy Bennett is advancing legislation to raise Minnesota’s education standards, strengthen literacy through Science of Reading reforms, and reduce burdensome mandates on schools. Her bill boosts local control, encourages innovation, and offers temporary funding flexibility. The proposal cleared the House Education Policy Committee and now moves to Education Finance for further debate.
Minnesota’s newest NAEP scores show alarming declines in reading proficiency, and Rep. Peggy Bennett says overregulation is pulling schools away from core academics. She highlights a GOP education plan focused on Science of Reading reforms, local control, innovation, and temporary mandate relief to help schools refocus on literacy and student achievement.
Rep. Peggy Bennett outlines proposals to improve student performance by strengthening Science of Reading instruction, empowering local school boards, increasing parent access to clear data, and providing temporary relief from costly mandates. She argues that schools need flexibility, innovation, and a renewed focus on core academics—reading, math, and science—to help every student succeed.
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