Legislative UpdateFriends and Neighbors, After nearly four weeks of delays, the Minnesota House is finally back in action following an agreement that allows Republicans to maintain the Speakership and control of House committees for the first five weeks of session. This agreement is a major victory that ensures we can move forward on the work Minnesotans sent us here to do. Despite the delay, I remain focused on addressing key issues, including responsible education funding and ensuring Minnesota’s pension system is sustainable for the future. House Agreement Secures Republican LeadershipHouse Republicans and Democrats have reached an agreement that allows Republicans to maintain the Speakership for the 2025-26 biennium and control of House committees for the first five weeks of session until the Roseville special election concludes. Under this agreement: - Rep. Lisa Demuth remains Speaker for the entire biennium, ensuring Republican leadership in the House.
- A new GOP-led House Fraud and Agency Oversight Committee has been created to investigate fraud in state government programs. This committee will have a permanent Republican chair and a 5-3 GOP majority for the next two years.
- Republicans hold full control over all committees for five weeks, with GOP chairs and a one-vote majority, allowing for legislative priorities to move forward without obstruction.
- If the upcoming Roseville special election results in a 67-67 tie, Demuth will still remain Speaker, while committees will shift to a co-chair system with equal membership, rotating control of the gavel each meeting.
This agreement was the only outcome that could have happened from the beginning, yet Democrats stalled the legislative process for nearly a month by refusing to show up for work. With session back on track, Republicans will continue to push for policies that prioritize fiscal responsibility, public safety, and government accountability. Fixing a Broken Education Funding System & Pushing Back on CutsFor decades, Minnesota’s school funding formula has misallocated resources, funneling large percentages of taxpayer dollars into programs that aren’t effective and failing our students. Instead of prioritizing academic success, too much money is being sent to underperforming schools and unproven programs, leading to poorer outcomes for Minnesota children. Now, the governor is proposing cuts to education, but instead of trimming ineffective programs, these cuts could hurt schools that actually deliver results. If education funding needs to be reduced, then we must start by cutting the programs that are failing our children—not the ones that help them succeed. I will speak on this issue in committee and on the House floor to advocate for a smarter approach to education funding. TRA & Pension Reform: An Opportunity WastedMinnesota’s Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) pension system is a growing concern, and I am disappointed that the issue wasn’t addressed when we had a multi-billion-dollar surplus. I pushed for solutions then, knowing it would be much harder to fix later, but the Democrat-controlled Legislature had other priorities. Now, with weeks of session already wasted, it will be even more difficult to resolve this issue in the time we have left. It may require a staged approach to ensure that teachers and retirees are not left behind. I will be working with members of the Special Pensions Joint Committee to explore possible solutions, but given that the same people who ignored this problem when they had total control are still in charge of the Senate and Governor’s office, we may have an uphill battle. Continuing to Work While Democrats Refused to Show UpEven though House Democrats prevented official work by not showing up, I have not been sitting idly by. Instead, I have been working with stakeholders, investigating state programs, and preparing solutions to some of Minnesota’s most pressing challenges. One of my primary focuses has been rooting out waste and fraud in state agencies. In line with House Republicans’ commitment to stopping fraud, I have been working with subject groups and experts related to my committee assignments to identify where taxpayer dollars are being mismanaged. The continued exposure of fraud in state programs shows just how badly oversight and accountability are needed. I will keep pushing for reforms to ensure taxpayer money is spent responsibly. Election Integrity: Strengthening Public Trust in Our SystemAnother critical issue I have been working on is election integrity. I have spent time speaking with county and city officials and have learned firsthand that election procedures are not always followed as written. This is deeply concerning because public trust in elections depends on a system that is transparent, reliable, and accountable. Consider this: in one race, a candidate won by just 14 votes, with 20 uncounted ballots being thrown away by county officials, and a court refused to call for a special election. This is not an isolated incident. There was also a past case where an election official removed ballots from a county office and burned them in her fireplace at home. When these types of irregularities happen, it’s no wonder why so many Minnesotans question election results. The fact is, election law needs to be clearer so that counties and cities can follow procedures correctly and consistently. That means: - Ensuring that election laws are easy to understand and enforce for local officials.
- Making elections more transparent so that the public can see and understand the process.
- Holding officials accountable when ballots are lost, mishandled, or destroyed.
If Minnesotans are expected to trust the results of our elections, they need to have confidence in the process. That starts with clear policies, strict oversight, and full transparency. I will continue working to strengthen election laws and ensure that every legal vote is counted—and counted correctly. Meetings and VisitorsEven while the legislature was delayed, I was meeting with a variety of organizations and stakeholders to discuss issues impacting Minnesotans. These conversations are critical in ensuring that the voices of our communities are heard. This week, I had the opportunity to meet with: MN Association of County Officers, Convention of States, MN Farmers Union, MN Public TV Association, MN Association of Farm Mutual Insurance Companies, and Career and Technical Education Constituents. I appreciate the time and insights from everyone who visited the Capitol this week. Hearing directly from the people we serve is invaluable as we work to shape policies that benefit all Minnesotans. If you have any concerns or issues you’d like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Sincerely, Rep. Duane Quam |