St. Cloud Sun

Minnesota State Representative Paul Novotny has provided an update on the recent legislative session, highlighting actions taken during a one-day special session following the May 19 deadline. According to Novotny, less than half of Minnesota’s budget was approved by the deadline, prompting lawmakers to reconvene and address outstanding issues.

Novotny stated that House Republicans played a significant role in halting proposed tax increases and curbing government spending. He said, "No new taxes on Minnesota families. We blocked the governor’s sales tax hikes, stopped the creation of an $8 billion fifth-tier income tax bracket, and rejected expanding sales taxes to professional services. Your wallet can breathe easy—for now."

He also noted efforts to end taxpayer-funded health care for adult undocumented immigrants and described this program as unsustainable. Additionally, Novotny reported that lawmakers achieved what he called "the biggest government spending cut in state history," reducing expenditures by $2 billion during the special session and bringing total reductions to $5 billion compared to the previous budget.

As Chair of the House Public Safety Committee, Novotny emphasized his focus on public safety initiatives. He outlined several measures enacted during the session: "Tougher penalties for first-degree sex trafficking, fentanyl exposure to kids, assaulting jail deputies and firefighters/EMS, plus extending the clock on first-degree arson cases." He added that over $10 million in new funding was allocated for police and first responders.

Novotny also listed other policy decisions from the session: "Stopped ridiculous fee hikes on your cell phone bills that were meant to bankroll a radical agenda," "Rejected divisive DEI requirements in crime victim service grants," "Protected school resource officers from harmful restrictions," and "Expanded law enforcement’s ability to use drones and tracking tech for chasing down fleeing vehicles—something our officers asked for and desperately need."

Further actions included blocking direct grants to partisan nonprofits, preventing retroactive laws related to aiding and abetting murder charges, preserving prosecutorial discretion in certain drug cases involving pregnant women, stopping new mandates for police traffic stops, and declining hearings on gun control proposals.

Addressing concerns about fraud related to pandemic relief programs, Novotny referenced the Feeding Our Future case: "This is the biggest pandemic-era fraud case in the entire nation, where millions of taxpayer dollars meant to feed hungry Minnesota kids were stolen. The feds have charged 72 people so far, but there are hundreds more involved who may never see justice because federal resources are stretched too thin." He shared that he sent a letter urging Attorney General Ellison to investigate further at the state level.

Novotny concluded his update by encouraging constituents with questions or concerns to reach out.