Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, We’re now five weeks into the House Republican majority, and the energy at the Capitol is incredible! This week has been packed with committee hearings, meetings, and the introduction of strong legislation that will make a real difference for Minnesotans. With the special election on March 11 approaching, House Republicans remain focused and optimistic, working hard every day to pass meaningful policies that benefit all Minnesotans. Now, let’s dive into some of the highlights from this week! Minnesota's Budget ForecastMinnesota’s latest budget forecast confirms what many of us have been warning about—reckless government spending is unsustainable, and now, Minnesotans are left footing the bill. The updated projection shows a shrinking surplus and an alarming $5.995 billion deficit looming in the FY 2028-29 biennium, nearly a billion dollars worse than previously expected. Simply put, the spending spree at the Capitol is catching up with us, and if we don’t change course, taxpayers will be the ones paying the price. This is exactly why House Republicans are fighting for fiscal responsibility. Government should live within its means—just like Minnesota families do every day. Instead of growing government and ballooning budgets, we should be working to provide permanent tax relief, rein in wasteful spending, and ensure that our economy remains strong for years to come. Minnesotans deserve leadership that plans for the future instead of spending recklessly today and hoping for the best tomorrow. I’ll continue advocating for smart, responsible budgeting that prioritizes taxpayers—not more government overreach. Standing Together for Girls' Sports On Monday, I had the privilege of standing alongside my Republican colleagues to fight for something that should be common sense: keeping girls' sports fair and safe. House File 12, the Preserving Girls' Sports Act, aimed to ensure that only biological females compete in girls' athletics—protecting the opportunities, scholarships, and hard-fought progress women have made in sports. As a mother of girls, this issue is incredibly personal to me. I want my daughters to have the same opportunities that generations of women fought for; that’s why I brought my youngest daughter, Molly, along with some friends, to really put into perspective just how important this fight is. Unfortunately, every single House Democrat voted against this bill, allowing biological males to continue competing against young girls. It’s deeply frustrating to witness. Title IX was designed to give female athletes a fair shot, and letting biological males compete in girls’ sports undermines that hard-won progress. Before the vote, we heard moving testimonies from female athletes and parents who’ve seen firsthand how unfair—and even dangerous—this situation has become. One high school student shared how she broke her wrist while competing against a biological male. That’s not just unfair, it’s a real safety concern. Earlier in the day, Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer, joined us on the Capitol steps. She’s been traveling the country advocating for this issue because she knows firsthand what’s at stake. Riley worked her entire life to reach the highest levels of competition, only to tie for first place with a biological male—and then watch as he was the one who got to take home the trophy. It’s incredibly disappointing that this bill didn’t pass, but I want to be clear: this fight is far from over. We will continue to stand up for fairness, safety, and common sense. Girls deserve a level playing field, and House Republicans will not stop fighting until every girl has the fair competition she deserves.     A Powerful Voice for Parents’ Rights Earlier this week in the Health Committee, we heard an incredible and heartfelt testimony from a brave Minnesota mom in support of my bill, House File 22 – the Parents’ Bill of Rights. She spoke with passion and conviction about the importance of keeping parents informed and involved in their children’s education and well-being—something that should never be up for debate. Her words were a powerful reminder of why this bill matters. Parents know their children best, and they deserve full transparency when it comes to curriculum, medical decisions, and the policies affecting their families. House File 22 is about making sure schools and government agencies respect the fundamental role of parents and ensuring that no one is making life-altering decisions for children without their families being involved. I’m beyond grateful for parents like her who are willing to stand up and speak out. Her testimony was a testament to the love, strength, and determination of parents across Minnesota who just want to do what’s best for their kids. This fight is far from over, and I will continue to push for policies that protect parental rights and put families first.  Protecting Property Rights with House File 944 As a legislator, one of my top priorities is ensuring that the rights of Minnesotans—especially those who own property—are protected. That’s why I’m excited to introduce House File 944, a bill that aims to make it easier, more affordable, and more effective for property owners to protect their land. For far too long, property owners have been burdened with the expensive and cumbersome task of purchasing and maintaining traditional “no trespassing” signs. With House File 944, I’m offering a practical and simple solution: purple paint markings. This easy-to-apply, cost-effective alternative will allow people to mark their property with clear, visible markers, letting others know they’re entering private land. As someone who believes in the importance of personal freedom and ownership, I know how important it is to safeguard your land from trespassers. Not only will this bill help ease the financial burden on landowners, but it also ensures that people know where they stand when it comes to respecting property rights. With purple paint, we’re offering an efficient and accessible way to maintain privacy and security without unnecessary complications. This bill is especially meaningful to me because I understand how much people value their property and the peace of mind that comes from knowing it’s protected. That’s why I’m so proud to share that House File 944 received bipartisan support in the Environment Committee, as it helps keep Minnesotans, their families, and their pets safe by clearly marking private property boundaries. The bill has now been sent to the General Register, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure it becomes law. It’s a small but powerful change that will provide landowners with a simple and effective way to protect their property, while also benefiting everyone who shares our great state. Connecting with Constituents at the Sibley and McLeod County BPOU Convention This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to speak alongside Daryl Thurn at the Sibley County BPOU Convention and later connecting with constituents at the McLeod County BPOU Convention! It’s always a privilege to hear directly from the people who make our communities great and to discuss the issues that matter most to them. I’m grateful for the chance to share ideas and work together toward a brighter future for our districts. Thanks to everyone who came out—your engagement makes all the difference! Let’s keep the momentum going!  Community Spotlight: Abbey Lang I’m thrilled to shine a spotlight on Abbey Lang, the Community Services Director for Dassel-Cokato Community Education. Abbey’s heart for serving her community is evident in everything she does—from providing enriching educational programs to creating opportunities that support students and families. Her dedication to making sure that everyone, young and old, has access to meaningful learning experiences is truly inspiring. It’s leaders like Abbey who make a real difference, and I’m grateful for her unwavering commitment to strengthening and nurturing the community! Reconnecting with Isaiah Frandsen: A Mental Health Advocate Making a Difference It was such a pleasure catching up with Isaiah Frandsen, who used to coach my boys at TrainingHaus in Eagan. It's always great to reconnect with familiar faces, especially when they’re doing incredible things! Isaiah is doing an amazing job with Wellness in the Woods, advocating for mental health in Minnesota. His work is making such a difference, and it's inspiring to see how dedicated he is to raising awareness and providing support. Keep up the great work, Isaiah – you're truly making an impact! Reminder: Protecting Prosperity in 2025 – Join Me on March 14th! Just a quick reminder—our conversation about Protecting Prosperity in 2025 is coming up soon! I’d love for you to join me on March 14th to talk about how we can protect your hard-earned dollars and tackle the rising costs hitting Minnesota families. I’ll share a legislative update, answer your questions, and hear your thoughts on how we can move Minnesota forward together. Date & Time:
March 14, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (Check-in starts at 5:00 PM) Location:
River House Kitchen + Drinks
122 Main St S, Hutchinson, MN 55350 This is your chance to voice your concerns and hear directly from me about what’s happening at the Capitol. I hope to see you there! RSVP HERE and join the conversation! Please Reach OutAs always, I’m here to listen and serve you. Please feel free to reach out to my office at 651-296-4228, by email at rep.dawn.gillman@house.mn.gov or follow me on Facebook for more frequent updates! Thank you for the honor of representing District 17A. Together, we will keep working toward making Minnesota a better place to live for all. Sincerely, Representative Dawn Gillman Minnesota House of Representatives, District 17A |