If you'd like to contact Rep. Dippel, please do NOT reply to this email. Rep. Dippel can be reached at rep.tom.dippel@house.mn.gov Hello from the State Capitol, Work can finally begin at the Minnesota House, as Democrats have ended their 24-day shutdown after reaching an agreement with Republicans on how the 2025 and 2026 sessions will operate. Under the approved agreement, Republican Lisa Demuth will serve as Speaker of the House for both the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions. Republicans will also hold a minimum of a one seat advantage on all House committees, at least until a special election is held in mid-March for an open House seat in Roseville. A much-needed House committee that’s designed to shine a light on years of fraud within state government will also be put in place. The newly formed Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee will soon begin holding hearings into the massive fraud issues that have run rampant during Governor Walz’s tenure.  The photo above references only a portion of the more than $1 billion – that we know about – being stolen due to fraudulent activity in our state. Republicans and Democrats alike should be pleased that we are taking a significant step towards addresing the fraud problems in Minnesota and holding criminals accountable. To me, the Democrat boycott of the House was senseless. We’ve basically lost a month of session time. We have a $5 billion budget deficit looming and a budget that needs to be set before session is required to end in May. We need to get to work immediately, and I’m looking forward to getting started.  MINNESOTA TAX DOLLARS FOR MINNESOTANS So what else happened at the Capitol this week? A press conference was held to unveil legislation that would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving state-funded financial aid, grants, subsidies, or other taxpayer-funded assistance. This would include the free college tuition and free health care provisions that were passed into law last session. The proposal would also ban sanctuary cities and strengthen immigration enforcement in Minnesota. EXTENDING 100TH STREET IN COTTAGE GROVE  This year, the top priority for both the City of Cottage Grove and Washington County is securing state funding for the extension of 100th Street in Cottage Grove. I will be chief-authoring legislation that would help this effort. The goal is to make it easier for 100th to connect with the Highway 61 overpass on Innovation Road. This would include installing a bridge over the railroad tracks and adding a roundabout in the area. I will keep you updated on its progress as the bill moves forward. Have a good weekend, Tom |