I am incredibly grateful to Riley Gaines and all of the dedicated advocates who took the time to join us in Minnesota. Their passion and commitment to preserving girls' sports is truly inspiring. I am also fortunate to work alongside like-minded colleagues who share this important mission and continue to stand up for our female athletes. Budget ForecastThe February budget forecast came out from the state yesterday morning. They predicted a $6 billion deficit for the 2028-2029 biennium, a direct result of reckless and excessive spending by Democrats, particularly during the last session. They squandered an $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, and still managed to lead us into one of the largest budget deficits in Minnesota’s history. The solution to this crisis is not more tax hikes and increased spending. Instead, we must take immediate action to rein in spending, restore fiscal responsibility, and prevent our state from sinking further into financial trouble. HF13We heard HF13 yesterday on the floor. This bill corrects an existing law that penalizes self defense, and it is absolutely necessary to pass so that people feel empowered to protect themselves in dangerous situations. Minnesotans should feel empowered to act in self defense in life-threatening circumstances, which is accomplished by removing the duty to retreat. It aligns Minnesota with other states that prioritize personal safety and reinforces a fundamental principle: everyone deserves the ability to defend themselves when faced with imminent harm. The bill came to a vote, and Democrats chose not to support it so it did not pass. House Republicans are still committed to this bill and the premise behind it, and will fight to get it passed in the future. See my floor speech below!  |