Lawmakers returned from break to begin debating key budget bills, including bipartisan approval of the agriculture finance plan and discussion on public safety funding. Highlights include support for rural development, rejection of new mandates, and increased penalties for serious crimes, with priorities focused on police, courts, and first responders.
Recent federal Medicare Advantage cuts have triggered major insurer withdrawals, leaving many Minnesota seniors—especially in Freeborn County—without coverage or guidance for 2026. This crisis stems from past federal policy changes and now demands a federal fix. I’ll work with our congressional delegation to push for solutions that protect seniors’ healthcare access.
Minnesota is sliding from an $18 billion surplus to a $6.2 billion deficit due to unsustainable spending, unchecked mandates, and ignored problems. Instead of funding core needs like schools, nursing homes, and disability services, resources are being misdirected. It’s time to face reality, set priorities, and start fixing what’s broken.
Lawmakers returned to debate major budget bills, including bipartisan ag finance and public safety measures. Meanwhile, soaring costs for MinnesotaCare benefits for illegal immigrants—now over $550 million—are straining the state’s budget and overshadowing critical needs like nursing homes, schools, and emergency services, becoming a central conflict in Health Committee negotiations.
Bipartisan work continues in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, where lawmakers united behind a proposal to support Minnesota’s veterans. The bill prioritizes suicide prevention, improves benefits for National Guard members on state duty, strengthens veteran skilled-nursing homes, and ensures proper recognition for those who served. Our veterans deserve nothing less.
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.
Minnesota’s February state budget forecast shows a positive balance of $329 million. “Its good news, especially considering we were told back in November to expect a $188 million deficit,” Hamilton said. “It shows we’re on the right economic path and the fiscal decisions we’ve made are working.” According to the
Lawmakers have returned to the State Capitol to begin the 2024 legislative session, and you can expect numerous legislative topics to be discussed over the next three months. Near the top of the agenda would be law fixes and capital investment legislation. Minnesota’s budget was set last session. At that
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