St. Cloud Sun

Minnesota State Representative Paul Novotny provided an update on recent legislative activities, highlighting the focus of House Republicans as they enter the fifth week of their majority. Novotny stated that committee hearings, meetings, and new legislation have been prominent at the Capitol, with efforts aimed at policies to benefit Minnesotans.

Novotny pointed to Minnesota’s latest budget forecast, which projects a $5.995 billion deficit for the fiscal year 2028-29 biennium. He described this as evidence of unsustainable government spending and argued that taxpayers will be impacted if changes are not made. “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,” Novotny said.

He also discussed House File 12, known as the Preserving Girls' Sports Act, which would have restricted participation in girls’ athletics to biological females. According to Novotny, all House Democrats voted against the bill. “It’s beyond disappointing that this bill didn’t pass, but let me be clear: this battle isn’t over. We’re going to keep fighting for fairness, safety, and common sense. Girls deserve a level playing field, and House Republicans will not stop fighting until girls have the fair competition they deserve,” he said.

Novotny attended a roundtable on childcare hosted by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce where local families and providers discussed affordability challenges and regulatory issues affecting childcare in Minnesota.

In public safety matters, Novotny expressed support for House File 13 introduced by Rep. Matt Bliss (R-Pennington), which seeks to remove Minnesota's requirement that individuals retreat before using reasonable force in self-defense situations. “Supporting victims’ rights is something I care deeply about...I’m confident that HF13 is a step in the right direction to empower Minnesotans to protect themselves and their families,” he said.

Additionally, Novotny met with representatives from the Sherburne County Soil and Water Conservation District regarding conservation efforts such as water management and habitat restoration in Sherburne County.

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