When the Minnesota Legislature adjourned in May, it completed the most productive two-year session in nearly 50 years, and Minnesotans will benefit from that work for generations. Two years ago, when voters elected a DFL Senate majority, they told us that they were tired of the same government gridlock and inaction that for years had blocked the things they value most. In short, we listened to them. Along with the House DFL majority and Governor Tim Walz, we went to work to improve economic security for workers and families, create quality public schools, make healthcare more affordable and accessible, secure reproductive freedom, act on climate change, reduce gun violence, and strengthen our democracy. We prioritized what Minnesotans prioritize and we focused on creating opportunities for everyone across the state.

 

Leading the Senate Taxes Committee

 

I was honored to play a key role in many of those efforts. In 2023, I was elected chair of the Senate Taxes Committee, making me the first lawmaker in Minnesota history to chair the committee in both the Senate and in the House, where I previously served. I was very proud of the work my committee did to improve the lives of Minnesota children, seniors and families.  The changes that we implemented over two years have produced the most equitable tax system in the country, with the lowest burden on low- and middle-income earners of all 50 states, according to a national study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.

 

This year, more than 400,000 children and their families have benefited from the nation-leading $1,750 per-child refundable Child Tax Credit we enacted in 2023. To date, more than $510 million has already gone out to families across the state, with an average credit per family of nearly $2,500 this tax season. And in the recently completed 2024 session we took steps to improve the credit, which is expected to cut child poverty by 33%.

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In addition to the Child Tax Credit, other key tax provisions that help Minnesota taxpayers include the elimination of state taxes on Social Security for 322,000 Minnesota seniors who will each save about $734 annually, and property tax relief for homeowners, renters, farmers and seniors. Importantly, our tax bill also has invested $300 million to address urgent public safety needs in every Minnesota community.

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DFLers also made significant investment in every level of education from child care to college. We helped family budgets and reduced student hunger through free school meals. We also invested in higher education and a skilled workforce by making college free for families making under $80,000 a year and by freezing tuition at MinnState schools. In 2024, we increased funding for the READ Act to improve student literacy and their ability to learn.

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On health care, DFLers took steps to reduce prescription drug costs and cap co-pays for drugs to treat diabetes, asthma, and allergies at $25 per month. We also enacted reforms to ensure Minnesotans struggling with illness are not saddled with unmanageable medical debt.

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We improved economic security for working families by passing paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, and historic investments in infrastructure and housing affordability.

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While Republicans in Minnesota and across the country continue to pursue extreme abortion bans and attack IVF and contraceptives, DFLers have made our state a haven for reproductive freedom by enacting the Protect Reproductive Options Act and repealing outdated, and harmful laws.

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To ensure a healthy climate, DFLers put our state on a pathway to 100% clean energy by 2040 with investments that will bring critical federal funding to our state. In 2024, we streamlined permitting on infrastructure projects to help reach that ambitious goal.

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After years of Republicans stalling efforts to address gun violence, DFLers enacted criminal background checks and red flag laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands. After the tragic and horrific killing of three first responders in Burnsville, DFL majorities increased penalties for straw purchases and banned the same binary triggers, which made the Burnsville shooter’s gun doubly dangerous.

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As a member of the Elections Committee, I joined DFLers in pushing back against attempts to undermine our democracy by supporting the Democracy for the People Act, which will make it easier for Minnesotans to vote, while prohibiting voter intimidation and harassment.

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While the work we have completed these past two years will benefit Minnesotans for generations, I know that our state continues to face many challenges. I’m committed to continuing to build on that work to give every Minnesotan the opportunity to build a better life.