WC Minnesota News

Minnesota State Representative Jim Joy has expressed concern over the recent adjournment of the legislative session, which ended on May 19 without completing its work. Joy criticized what he described as unnecessary delays at the start of the session, attributing them to Democratic lawmakers. He stated that these delays have resulted in a special session being required to finish legislative business.

“This whole mess could have been avoided. Democrats sat out for 23 days at the start of session, and now here we are: headed into a special session just to finish work that should’ve been done weeks ago,” Joy said.

Joy also raised issues with the governor’s proposed budget, saying it contains unfunded mandates that would place financial pressure on local governments and lead to significant property tax increases for Minnesotans. “The governor’s budget was loaded with unfunded mandates that would crush local governments and force double-digit property tax hikes on hardworking Minnesotans. It’s unfair. It’s unsustainable. And I’ve been pushing back hard,” he said.

Drawing from his experience in local government, Joy explained how state-level decisions can impact cities and towns by forcing them to either cut services or raise taxes to meet new requirements. “When the state punts the responsibility, your city is left holding the bag. That means cutting basic services or raising your taxes just to keep things running. That’s not ‘shared responsibility.’ That’s dumping the problem in your lap and walking away,” he added.

As Co-Vice Chair of the Taxes Committee, Joy described his efforts to oppose proposals he views as excessive or irresponsible. “While others played political games, I’ve been in the trenches fighting to protect your paycheck, your property, and your peace of mind. Every bloated proposal, every tax hike scheme, every backdoor deal—I’ve stood firm and pushed back,” he stated.

Joy also serves on both Transportation and State Government Committees and emphasized his focus on responsible spending: “That means fixing potholes, not padding payrolls. It means funding infrastructure—not inflating bureaucracy.”

He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to his constituents as lawmakers prepare for a special session: “I want a final budget that respects your sacrifices, restores fiscal sanity, and actually delivers results—not excuses.”