St. Paul Reporter

Minnesota lawmakers are working to finish the 2025 legislative session before the May 19 adjournment deadline. The session began with a delay after Democrats stepped away for 23 days, leading to a compressed timeline in its final weeks.

A budget agreement has been reached between caucus leaders and Governor Tim Walz, setting spending targets for the remaining bills. Details of policy decisions are still being finalized in conference committees.

Representative Nathan Nelson (R-Mora) highlighted several outcomes that House Republicans consider achievements. "This budget includes the largest cut to government spending in state history. We’re eliminating nearly half of the structural deficit created after Democrats grew government by 40% and raised taxes by $10 billion just two years ago. And we held the line—no new tax increases for Minnesota families," Nelson said.

Among the measures cited were protections for non-public pupil aid, which supports students in religious, charter, and homeschool settings. Republicans also report stopping an expansion of taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants, capping a payroll tax related to paid family and medical leave (PFML), blocking a provider tax hike, preventing new sales and income tax increases, halting funding for the Northern Lights Express train project to Duluth, and stopping certain health mandates and nonprofit spending.

Nelson described ongoing challenges facing Minnesota schools: "Across Minnesota, schools are facing many challenges—tight budgets, staff layoffs, and a nonstop wave of mandates that make it harder for educators to focus on what really matters: our kids." He noted that over 65 new mandates were enacted last session.

House Republicans say they have responded by protecting nonpublic pupil aid and securing more than $150 million in Basic Supplemental Aid to give schools flexibility. They also supported ending an unemployment insurance mandate affecting seasonal workers at schools.

However, concerns remain about potential cuts to special education services and teacher support programs as lawmakers continue work on the education finance bill. Nelson encouraged constituents to communicate with DFL legislative leaders about these issues.

As legislators approach adjournment, Nelson reiterated his priorities: "These aren’t easy choices, but my priorities remain clear: protecting our communities, holding government accountable, and putting people ahead of bureaucracy."

He invited community input as decisions made during this period will affect residents statewide.