Uphold 2nd Amendment Rights
Accountability in Government and Personal Lives
School Transparency
No More Critical Race Theory
No More Social and Emotional Learning
Less Government, More Transparency
Less Taxes
Stay in the Know
From the Desk of Dawn Appel Wabasha County Republican Chair December 21, 2025
Dear Wabasha County Republicans!
The Executive Committee wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!
As you gather with family and friends, may your hearts and homes be filled with love and laughter. Let the smiles you share embrace you with joyful melodies that ring in your memory for years to come! God bless each and every one of you!
Wabasha County Republican Chair
Dawn Appel
Republican Caucus February 3, 2026
Your Vote Counts Join your friends and neighbors at our local Republican Precinct Caucus. This is an opportunity to discuss issues and choose delegates and party leadership.
Now is the time to get involved and take back our State and Nation!
Wabasha County Republicans Caucus Locations
Precincts:
Mount Pleasant Township
Lake Township
Lake City P-1
Lake City P-2
Lake City P-3
West Albany Township
Caucus Location: Bluff View School, Lake City
Address: 1156 W Lakewood Ave, Lake City MN 55041
Precincts:
Pepin Township
Glasgow Township
Greenfield Township
Watopa Township
Minneiska Township
Wabasha Ward 1
Wabasha Ward 2
Wabasha Ward
Kellogg City
Caucus Location: Wabasha Kellogg High School
Address: 2113 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha MN 55981
Precincts:
Plainview Township
Plainview P-1
Plainview P-2
Highland Township
Oakwood Township
Millville City
Caucus Location: PEM High School
Address: 500 West Broadway, Plainview MN 55964
Precincts:
Elgin Township
Elgin City
Caucus Location: Elgin Firehall
Address: 135 Main Street East, Elgin MN 55932
Precincts:
Zumbro Township
Hyde Park Township
Mazeppa Township
Bellechester City
Mazeppa City
Zumbro Falls City
Gillford Township
Chester Township
Hammond City
Caucus Location: Zumbro Falls City Hall
Address: 342 Highway 60, Zumbro Falls MN 55991
From the Desk of Alex Plechash Chairman MNGOP December 9, 2025
December 9, 2025
Statement from Chair Alex Plechash
Edina, MN — Minnesota Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash released the following statement regarding Steve Simon seeking a 4th term as MN SOS.
“Steve Simon’s decision to run for a fourth term should alarm every Minnesotan who cares about transparency, clean elections, and a functioning government. Simon has spent a decade turning the Secretary of State’s office into a partisan apparatus that protects the DFL at the expense of public trust. His record is not one of stewardship — it’s a record of blocking investigations, losing lawsuits, hiding critical information, and enabling chaos inside our state government.”
SIMON ENABLED THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE MELTDOWN
• When the 2025 session collapsed into a constitutional debacle, Steve Simon was in the presiding chair. It was Simon who ruled the House could not organize — a procedural decision that gave the DFL the escape hatch they needed to walk out for weeks and grind the Legislature to a halt. His ruling helped trigger the standoff that froze public-safety bills, stopped budget negotiations, and blocked election-security legislation.
And let’s not forget:
• This crisis started because the DFL attempted to seat a candidate who did not even live in the district, a violation that destabilized the entire balance of the House. Simon’s office failed to prevent the situation, and Minnesotans paid the price.
BLOCKS INVESTIGATIONS
Simon has repeatedly obstructed legitimate oversight efforts:
• Refused to turn over voter-roll data to the U.S. Department of Justice, forcing the DOJ to file a federal lawsuit when he blocked citizenship-verification efforts.
• Rejected participation in the DHS SAVE system, which other states use to identify noncitizens and deceased individuals on voter rolls.
• Stonewalled legislative committees seeking routine election-security information, including absentee-ballot rejection data and voter-roll maintenance procedures.
• This is not “protecting voters.” It’s protecting the DFL from scrutiny.
LOSES IN COURT
Simon’s tenure is littered with legal defeats:
• A federal court in Carson v. Simon ruled that he violated state law by unilaterally changing absentee-ballot deadlines.
• Courts struck down Simon-backed rules restricting ballot observers because he exceeded his legal authority.
• Judges repeatedly rebuked his office for attempting to rewrite election law without legislative approval.
• Minnesotans should not have to rely on the courts to stop the Secretary of State from breaking the law.
HIDES THE TRUTH
• Transparency under Simon has collapsed:
• The Office of the Legislative Auditor reported significant difficulty obtaining basic election data from Simon’s office.
• Watchdog groups and reporters documented delays and refusals in public-records requests involving election rule changes.
• Simon refused to release information — even in redacted form — on confirmed cases of double voting and ineligible voters referred to for prosecution.
What is he trying to hide?
THE RESULT: ERODED TRUST, MORE FRAUD, LESS ACCOUNTABILITY
• Just as Governor Walz and the DFL have wrecked Minnesota’s education system, allowed billions in fraud to flow out of state agencies, and destroyed our reputation for clean government, Steve Simon has done the same to our elections.
• Minnesota used to be known for its fair, transparent election system.
• Under Steve Simon, that reputation has collapsed.
In 2026, Minnesotans will choose between:
More secrecy, more lawsuits, more chaos under Steve Simon — or a fresh start that restores integrity and transparency to our election
December 6, 2025
If you want to understand why Republicans are positioned to win in 2026, look at what is happening right now across Minnesota. Families are being crushed by the over ONE BILLION DOLLAR increase in property taxes this year alone. Add that to the $10 billion in new taxes pushed by Tim Walz—taxes on Amazon deliveries, skyrocketing vehicle registration fees, and higher costs on everyday life—and it’s no wonder Minnesotans are saying enough is enough.
These aren’t abstract policy debates.
These are kitchen-table issues hitting families every single day.
And the DFL is completely out of touch.
But the biggest reason we win?
Our people. Our message. Our momentum.
We have the strongest field of statewide candidates in decades—leaders who will energize voters, lift legislative races, and help take back Minnesota.
MINNESOTA IS GROUND ZERO FOR STOPPING FRAUD — AND THE NATION IS FINALLY WAKING UP
Minnesota has become ground zero in the national fight to expose and end fraud — and the rest of America is finally seeing what we have been dealing with for years under Tim Walz’s failed leadership.
While state agencies fell apart, oversight collapsed, and billions vanished, the Minnesota media establishment protected Walz, looked the other way, minimized scandal after scandal, and tried to keep the public from knowing just how bad things had gotten.
Not anymore.
BREAKING: The National Spotlight Is Now Directly on Minnesota
This week, senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller announced the launch of a full-scale federal investigation into Somali-related fraud operations in Minnesota. His words were blunt and powerful:
> “We believe that the Somali fraud operation in Minnesota is the single greatest theft of taxpayer dollars, through welfare fraud, in American HISTORY...
And we believe that what we are going to uncover is going to shock the American people.”
For years, Tim Walz’s agencies failed to act.
For years, Democrats ignored red flags.
And for years, Minnesotans were left paying the bill.
Now, the federal government has stepped in to do what the State of Minnesota refused to do: shine a light, expose the truth, and hold people accountable.
We thank the President, his administration, and federal prosecutors for prioritizing these investigations and taking decisive action to stop fraud, protect taxpayers, and remove dangerous criminal operations from our communities — something Walz and Minnesota Democrats failed to do at every turn.
This is exactly why Minnesotans are demanding change.
This is why our movement is growing.
This is why we win.
AMAZING TURNOUT — STATE CENTRAL, DECEMBER 13
Grassroots enthusiasm is at levels we haven't seen in years. On December 13th, we will hold one of the largest State Central meetings in recent memory, where delegates will participate in the first-ever gubernatorial preference poll.
This is history in the making — and it’s powered by YOU.
MN GOP CHRISTMAS PARTY — DECEMBER 12 (6:30–9:30PM), CROWNE PLAZA PLYMOUTH
Celebrate with fellow patriots the night before State Central at our MN GOP Christmas Party. Candidates, elected officials, activists, and supporters will gather as we close out the year united, energized, and ready to flip Minnesota.
Join us. Bring a friend. Feel the momentum.
ELECTION SEASON BEGINS — PRECINCT CAUCUSES FEBRUARY 3
Once January hits, we go full throttle.
Precinct caucuses are February 3, and we are preparing earlier and stronger than ever.
We are hosting caucus training every Tuesday and Thursday via Zoom at 7 p.m., and we have videos and resources available anytime at:
This is how we build a winning machine.
WE WILL WIN BECAUSE MINNESOTA IS READY
Minnesotans are done paying more and getting less.
Done with fraud, excuses, and incompetence.
Done with a governor who hides behind distractions instead of delivering results.
We have the message.
We have the momentum.
We have the movement.
2026 begins now — and we are going to win.
Alex Plechash
Chairman
Republican Party of Minnesota
Stay in the Know
From the Desk of Pam Altendorf State Representative 20A December 19, 2025
WHAT'S NEW?
I thoroughly enjoyed my time last week at Wabasha-Kellogg Schools serving as “Principal for a Day.”
I was able to visit with seniors on the student council, read a book to a kindergarten class, speak with 6th graders about the political process, and talk with educators about the challenges they are facing and how the legislature can help. I even received an ornament from students in shop class!
Thanks to everyone from Wabasha-Kellogg for their hospitality! I really enjoyed the visit!
LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTS
FRAUD REPORT
Well, this is rich.
You’ll recall I sounded the alarm on the improbable increase of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Minnesota last month. I found that by analyzing federal data, more than $1.5 billion was spent on SNAP benefits in our state, tripling the amount that was spent just four years earlier. Specifically, Minnesota saw a 174% jump in SNAP issuance over a one-year period in fiscal years 2020 and 2021.
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) quickly issued a statement saying it was a math error, having “mistakenly included Pandemic EBT” in its form submitted to the federal government.
Interestingly, a FOX 9 reporter questioned why I wasn't willing to drop the story after this news came out, insisting that I accept this was just a mistake. Well, KSTP actually decided to investigate rather than accept the state’s lame response and let the issue die. Their reporting is unbelievable. It found that all of the numbers are wrong as it repeatedly reported incorrect information about SNAP to the federal government, and that DCYF continued to rely on that flawed data to answer questions from curious reporters trying to uncover fraud.
From the report: “Information on how much money Minnesota distributed to SNAP recipients and how many people were found to have defrauded the system is not accurate in three different reports compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a DCYF spokesperson confirmed to 5 INVESTIGATES.”
And now, the agency is no longer responding. Is anyone shocked?
To watch the story, click here.
ANOTHER FRAUD LOOPHOLE: “RELIGIOUS ONLY” MARRIAGES?
This week, a health insurance agent from southeastern Minnesota reached out to me to point out another fraud loophole that is taking place in our state and confirm the accuracy of a recent Alpha News report titled ‘If taxpayers knew how bad it was, they would be outraged’, The article centers on religious-only marriages, and its impact on accessing free healthcare in our state.
MNsure subsidies are determined by reporting the projected combined annual household income and the number of people in the household. Most East-African households practice “religious-only” marriages, where they share children and live together most of the time, but they are treated in the system as unmarried parents. Then the mother claims all the children, but does not count the father’s income. In this situation, they get the benefits of a single-parent household (at a likely low income), but they actually live together.
So, let’s say a Somali marriage is not court-documented. According to the article most aren’t, which means this scenario is running rampant in terms of entitlements that we are allowing as a state. Also, some of these East African men maintain multiple religious-only marriages, allowing them to avoid reporting a spouse for public benefits while having multiple wives and children, all getting free (or heavily discounted) healthcare.
Meanwhile, the rest of the public who follow the rules and report both spouse’s incomes are spending thousands of dollars a month for health insurance coverage if they are purchasing through MNsure.
Another day, another fraud. No other state has these problems, and it is infuriating.
MAY YOU FIND PEACE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
This has been a difficult, heavy year for many Minnesotans. For many in America. And it goes beyond the price of gas or the unpredictable weather.
Here in Minnesota, we had the political assassination of Melissa Hortman, and the devastating Annunciation School shooting. Which led to the threats of Governor Walz calling a special session, not to pass any meaningful gun legislation, but as Walz insinuated, to get Republicans on record for their votes.
I ran for this office to help solve problems, and there is no issue I would rather fix than to bring safety and security to our children, schools, neighborhoods, and cities. This is a deeply complex issue. If only we had this magic ability with the vote of the legislature and the swipe of a pen to make everyone totally “safe,” I venture to guess we’d be all scrambling over each other to pass that law.
If gun legislation was the magic answer, would you agree that Chicago – which has some of the strictest gun laws in America - then must be one of our safest cities? If banning guns worked, then why did we just see a mass shooting in Australia after prohibiting semi-automatic firearms in 1996? If gun-free zones were effective, how did a violent criminal bring a gun on a 146 acre campus of Brown University and kill two students?
After the Annunciation shooting, I was alarmed and frankly disgusted to see how quickly the anti-gun activists hijacked and politicized the narrative. Children were still in surgery rooms nearby, when politicians stood up at a news conference and publicly claimed that gun legislation was what we needed to ensure Minnesotans’ “safety.”
Fear is an incredible thing. It drives people to action. People who are under duress and extreme fear are easier to manipulate and control. Knowing this as psychological fact, you then realize it’s not an accident when political rhetoric increases after tragedies. In this case, demands for gun legislation with the promises in return of your “safety," never mind the shootings referenced above prove gun control doesn’t work.
The Annunciation Church shooting was an unconscionable tragedy. You know what else was a tragedy? A Lake City man allegedly shooting the owner of the local Subway restaurant over an apparent disagreement. So too was the former Stewartville wrestler who authorities believe shot a student on the Stewartville wrestling team and then killed himself.
These two incidents happened within a day of each other this month in southeastern Minnesota. Clearly, these individuals were all troubled, the same as any other individual who thinks violence is the answer to their problems.
If we are serious about reducing violence, shouldn’t every possible factor be on the table for discussion? Remember, we are basically two generations removed from kids driving to school with a loaded shotgun in the back of their pickup so they could go hunting after class – and no one batted an eye. What’s changed? We’ve always had guns. Are we brave enough to consider what else is contributing to our society’s violence epidemic?
Drastic increases in mental illness, depression and violence are happening in our society. Which of the following could be factors in these increases: children being over medicated for ADHD and anxiety, violent video games, lack of parenting, screen-time usage, decreased attention spans, alcohol, drugs, social media, or lower church attendance?
Are we serious about truly solving problems? If so, then let’s have some very honest and tough discussions. Rushing to blame a gun for someone’s actions is short-sighted and disingenuous at best. Falling for this heated political rhetoric, and allowing emotions to be overcome by fear, leads us to ignore every other contributing factor to the problem. Lulling us into believing “if only we legislate,” has proven to be a false safety.
2025 is nearly in our rearview mirror, and the Christmas season is upon us. It is the season of giving, and a season of happiness. Most of us know the reason for the season. Might the society shift we are seeking to lessen violence, be not in legislation, but simply found in a meek and humble baby born, named Jesus?
Peace to you and your families this holiday season. Merry Christmas.
_________________________________
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PLEASE CONTACT ME
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. I am here to serve you!
2591 Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar Street
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651.296.8635
Stay in the Know
From The Desk of Donna Bergstrom Deputy Chairwoman MNGOP December 15, 2025
Dear Fellow Minnesota Republicans,
As Minnesotans, we enter a cherished time of year when communities across our state celebrate holidays rooted in light, hope, and renewal. Both Christmas and Hanukkah remind us that even in the darkest winter months, light endures, symbolizing perseverance, faith, and the strength we draw from one another, and our shared hope for the future of our state and our great country.
This Season of Light also encourages us to reflect on how fortunate we are to live in a nation where freedom, opportunity, and perseverance remain guiding principles. The values celebrated in this season - compassion, service, resilience, and the belief that hope can prevail - align closely with the ideals that form the foundation of America.
Here in Minnesota, we especially see these values in our party; in the way we support one another, volunteers step forward in times of need, and our community comes together to do the work necessary to build a better future for Minnesota.
We are reminded that the freedoms we enjoy, like the freedom of worship, the freedom of speech, and the ability to participate in civic life, are not only American cornerstones but also reflections of the season’s deeper meaning. As we gather with family and friends, let us honor these blessings and recommit ourselves to treating one another with respect, dignity, and camaraderie that comes from shared goals for a better outcome for all Minnesotans.
Minnesota has always been at its best when we meet challenges with collaboration and goodwill. This year, as celebrations unfold across our state, we encourage all Minnesotans to illuminate their communities with acts of generosity, thoughtful dialogue, and engagement that strengthens our shared civic fabric.
May the spirit of Christmas and Hanukkah inspire us to carry the light forward into our homes, our neighborhoods, and our collective future.
Wishing you and your loved ones peace, joy, and enduring light this holiday season.
With resolve and gratitude,
Donna M. Bergstrom
Deputy Chair
Republican Party of Minnesota
(O)651-222-0022
(C)202-236-2692
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Legislative Update From the Desk of Senator Steve Drazkowski December 14, 2025
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope your holidays are restful and enjoyable. This is a good time to reflect on the past year and ponder what lies ahead for our state. Recently, I announced that I would be retiring at the end of this next session. Until then, I plan to continue representing you in Saint Paul to the best of my ability, with the same focus I have always had, protecting your constitutional rights and your hard-earned money at the forefront of my legislative decision-making. I have included my retirement statement below, along with some other news items.
Senator Steve Drazkowski announces he will not seek re-election in 2026
ST. PAUL, MN – Senator Steve Drazkowski (R–Mazeppa) today announced he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota Senate. The 2026 session will mark the end of his nearly two-decade legislative career in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate. Senator Drazkowski represents Senate District 20, which includes Wabasha and Goodhue Counties and parts of Olmsted, Winona, and Dakota Counties. He served in the Minnesota House from 2007 to 2023.
“Serving the people of southeastern Minnesota in the House of Representatives and Senate has been a great honor,” said Senator Drazkowski. "I have fought to secure our constitutional freedoms, promote fiscal responsibility, improve economic opportunity for families and small businesses, strengthen Minnesota’s agricultural and rural economies, and advance policies that increase transparency and accountability in state government. Rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government has been a central issue for me. It is gratifying to end my service when awareness of Minnesota’s fraud problem is high, and leaders are focused on finding solutions to stop it.”
“I am thankful for the trust placed in me by my constituents, for the collaboration of many colleagues and staff over the years, and for the opportunity to help better our state,” he concluded.
First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election in 2007, Drazkowski was re-elected eight times before winning election to the Minnesota Senate for District 20 in 2022. He served on many key committees dealing with taxes, transportation, agriculture, education, natural resources, and state and local government operations, including the subcommittee overseeing state workers' labor contracts. He has a 100% record defending life and the right to keep and bear arms and has been recognized for leadership in budget discipline and public accountability.
Senator Drazkowski’s current term will end in January 2027, and he will continue to serve his constituents through the remainder of the 2025–2026 biennium.
Paid Family Leave starts January 1
On January 1, 2026, Minnesota’s new statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave program and updated earned sick and safe time rules begin reshaping the employer–employee relationship. It’s a sweeping new mandate with serious economic and administrative costs. I didn’t support the bill, but as it is now the law, employers, large and small, and employees need to understand the effects it will have. You may have already heard the program's benefits from the employee side, such as new parents getting more time to bond with their babies or someone taking paid time off to care for a sick relative. But there is always a cost to a program like this, and in this case, the costs are borne by the employer, the employee, and the taxpayer.
What Starts January 1, 2026?
Beginning in 2026, most Minnesota workers will be entitled to up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave and 12 weeks of paid family leave, capped at 20 weeks per benefit year, funded through a new state-run insurance-style program. Newly enacted payroll taxes will finance the system, with employers either buying into the state plan or securing an approved “equivalent” private plan, and employees can start applying for benefits. At the same time, the state’s Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) statute adds new opportunities to accrue sick time, while preserving broad coverage and ongoing accrual mandates that apply to most employers.
Putting a large, new public benefits program on top of existing leave policies amounts to a de facto payroll tax increase, hitting smaller employers and local governments that operate on thin margins. Many organizations already provide some mix of PTO, parental leave, and short-term disability. They will now have to redesign those programs, coordinate with the state system, and pay more for roughly the same or even reduced flexibility.
Our office has already begun to hear from employees who are learning that their employers will no longer be able to offer them the same customized leave options because those options are incompatible with the new laws.
Employers also worry about staffing and scheduling when employees can be out for up to 20 weeks with job protection, especially in public safety, health care, and other 24/7 businesses and critical public services.
In addition to premium costs, the law imposes strict notice, record keeping, documentation, and coordination obligations that will increase bookkeeping and legal services overhead. The controls written into this program are very weak, and I expect that this program will become fraught with fraud as people race to get paid not to work.
I expect there will be many complaints about the unintended negative consequences of this law, and changes will be proposed in the next session. I will support changes that give flexibility back to employers and employees to make their own arrangements in challenging circumstances and that deny the opportunity for abuse of this program. I also have concerns about whether the program will remain solvent, as a similar program in Washington State was not self-sustaining and required increased funding. We can’t afford a program that will require higher levels of funding when we already have a forecasted deficit.
To learn more about how this program will work and what your rights and responsibilities are as an employer or employee, you can go to the website. https://pl.mn.gov/
Beginning Farmer Tax Credit applications open January 1
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority (RFA) will begin accepting applications for the 2026 Beginning Farmer Tax Credit on January 1. The Minnesota Beginning Farmer Tax Credit provides state tax credits to landlords and sellers (asset owners) who rent or sell farmland, equipment, livestock, and other agricultural assets to beginning farmers in the current tax year. Beginning farmers are eligible for a nonrefundable Minnesota tax credit equal to their farm business management (FBM) tuition, up to a maximum of $1,500, for up to three years.
Unlike many MDA programs, these credits are funded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early before the stated deadlines in summer and fall 2026. Funds for the 2025 tax credit ran out in late January. Last year I heard from farmers who were disappointed to learn that they were too late and that the program had ended for the year.
MDA will be hosting an informational webinar to provide a program overview, updates, and answer questions on Monday, December 22 from 4-5 p.m.
More information about the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, including the link to register for the MDA webinar, is available here: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/bftc
Questions may be directed to Jenny Heck at mda.bftc@state.mn.us or 651-201-6316.
Don't hesitate to contact me anytime with any issues, concerns, or feedback so I can best represent you. The best way to reach me is by email at sen.steve.drazkowski@mnsenate.gov or by phone at 651-296-5612. My legislative assistant is Margaret Martin, and her number is 651-296-4264. She will be happy to assist you, in or out of session.
Sincerely,
Steve Drazkowski
Minnesota Senate, District 20, Wabasha, Goodhue, Winona, Olmsted, and Dakota Counties.
2411 Minnesota Senate Building
95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Stay in the Know
Legislative Update From the Desk of Representative Steve Jacob November 7, 2025
Hello from St. Paul,
One of the more interesting positions I hold at the State Capitol is my membership on the Legislative Audit Commission. Here we discuss a number of independent reviews made by the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA).
Recently, it issued a fairly damning review of the way Governor Walz is running his office, finding "widespread financial mismanagement."
The OLA report found a dozen instances of mismanagement in the office of Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. This includes not properly handling receipts, not accurately overseeing employee timesheet completion and approval, and making several late, and sometimes inaccurate, payments to vendors. It also reviewed the Governor’s Office a year ago, and of the 5 major problems it listed, the OLA noted the Governor’s Office failed to address 4 of them.
Can anyone be surprised that billions of dollars have been lost to fraud in Minnesota under Governor Walz’s watch when he doesn’t even take financial accountability in his own office seriously?
It is the ultimate thumbing of the nose at authority. The Governor knows Democrats in this state seldom get called out for anything by the media – remember all the nonsense about Walz we learned about from the national media after he announced he was running for vice president – so he has no reason to shape up. The governor’s mansion is used for campaign purposes. Large expenses are broken down into smaller expenses so reporting requirements can be dodged. It’s totally unethical.
After the news broke, Governor Walz claimed it was no big deal and he would take care of these problems immediately. Gee, I wonder why? His next election is less than a year away!
When you allow the fox to guard the henhouse, you can’t expect the chickens to survive. The OLA is working to right the ship, but the Governor’s Office simply has proven repeatedly it just won’t prioritize financial accountability for itself or the state unless it’s election season. That’s just a fact, and it’s unacceptable.
HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!
Allow me to be among the first to wish the men and women who served in the armed forces a happy veteran’s day! Our country would literally not exist without your sacrifices. Your efforts have preserved the liberties many of us take for granted every day.
For those of us who did not serve, please join me in thanking all of our veterans for a job well done on Tuesday.
KEEP IN TOUCH!
I value your input and encourage you to reach out any time with your legislative questions and concerns. I can be reached at rep.steven.jacob@house.mn.gov or by phone at 651.296.2273. I look forward to hearing from you!
Have a good weekend,
Steve
Stay in the Know
Understand What It Means to be a Conservative Republican
If You Remember One Thing: While Democrats fought to raise taxes, increase spending, and make life more expensive and difficult for Minnesotans, House Republicans made our priorities clear: making our state safer and more affordable, returning common-sense leadership to St. Paul.
Look Back at the Democrat Trifecta:
•
Turned an $18 billion surplus into a $6 billion deficit.
•
Raised taxes by $10 billion.
•
Made our communities less safe with soft-on-crime policies.
•
Piled on mandates hurting farmers, small businesses, and families.
•
Pushed Critical Race Theory into our classrooms instead of focusing on reading and math.
•
Handed taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants.
•
Passed the most extreme abortion policy in America.
•
Attacked our 2nd Amendment rights and undermined religious freedom.
During Republicans 67-66 Majority:
For a few weeks this session, Minnesotans saw what Republican leadership looks like and where the two parties stand on the issues important to Minnesotans.
Republicans voted to:
•
Protect girls’ sports by keeping boys out of female competition.
•
Repeal the Democrats’ dangerous “Duty to Retreat” law.
•
Pause wasteful light rail expansions.
•
Rein in emergency powers—so no governor can rule Minnesota like a king ever again.
•
Return surplus tax dollars where they belong, with hardworking Minnesotans.
•
Fund, pro-life women’s pregnancy centers that Democrats defunded after 20 years of bipartisan support.
•
And require life-saving care for infants born alive after failed abortions.
Democrats voted down every single one, but Minnesotans saw where each party stands.
After the House Returned to a 67-67 Tie:
Eventually, the House returned to a 67-67 tie, yet even then, House Republicans secured conservative wins no one thought possible:
•
The largest spending cut in Minnesota state history.
•
No new taxes on Minnesota families — zero.
•
An end to taxpayer-funded health insurance for adult illegal immigrants.
•
Dozens of anti-fraud reforms to protect your hard-earned money.
•
Protection for homeschoolers and charter schools from Gov. Walz’s proposed cuts to nonpublic pupil aid.
•
Life-saving funding for rural ambulance services facing collapse.
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Increases in penalties for violent criminals to keep our communities safe.
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A $2 million cut to Second Harvest Heartland — the “food shelf nonprofit” that was caught paying its CEO over $720,000 a year.
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Major restrictions on legislatively named nonprofit grants.
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Cuts to taxpayer-funded abortion grants.
•
Historic permitting reform to speed up job-creating projects.
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A full repeal of the public option implementation authority and its $21 million in funding.
•
And we stopped massive cost shifts to counties that would’ve driven up your property taxes.
And most importantly: we blocked billions in new taxes, protecting Minnesota families from even more financial pain.
Imagine, with a $6 billion budget deficit, the type of tax raises Democrats would have passed if not for House Republicans standing in the breach.
20A STATE REPRESENTATIVE pam altendorf
20b state representative steve jacob
Contribute
$75.00
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION REFUND (PCR) PROGRAM
Did you know that you can be reimbursed for your contribution to the
Republican Party of Minnesota?
Individuals are eligible to receive a refund up to $75 (couples up to $150).
The Minnesota Political Contribution Refund program reset on
January 1st, 2025. If you received a PCR in 2024, you qualify for another in 2025.
Contact Wabasha County Republicans for further information.
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