WC Minnesota News

Minnesota State Representative Jim Joy reported progress in several legislative committees this week, including the completion of omnibus bills in both the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee and the State Government and Finance Committee. The Taxes omnibus bill is scheduled to be finalized on May 7.

Rep. Joy expressed frustration with delays he attributed to the majority party, stating, "While Republicans have stayed focused and kept things moving forward, it’s been frustrating to watch the majority party create unnecessary delays. Democrats didn’t even show up for the first three weeks of session—then this week, they walked back on their own K-12 education bill. On Tuesday, they passed it out of the Ways & Means Committee. But on Wednesday, they pulled it back and refused to send it to the House floor. Why? Internal disagreement."

He further commented on recent committee proceedings: "In the Rules Committee yesterday, several of my Republican colleagues called this out for what it is: dysfunction. Minnesotans deserve better. These kinds of games slow down real progress and waste valuable time."

Rep. Joy criticized Democratic leaders' approach to Paid Family Leave legislation: "Even more frustrating is the Democrats’ complete unwillingness to negotiate on key issues—especially on Paid Family Leave. They are charging full speed ahead with no regard for the serious concerns raised by families and small businesses across Minnesota. If Paid Family Leave is rolled out in Minnesota as currently proposed, it will be detrimental to many Minnesotans. The program isn’t funded by the state—it will be paid for directly out of your paychecks. Minnesotans simply cannot afford another hit to their household budgets. We need to do better."

He also addressed concerns regarding Governor Walz’s plan that would transfer $460 million in costs from state government onto local governments through changes in the Department of Human Services budget—a move he described as a "cost shift." Rep. Joy highlighted that Clay County Commissioner Jenny Mongeau estimated these changes could cost her county nearly $3.2 million annually, leading to a property tax levy increase of almost 7 percent.

"Let’s call it what it is—a cost shift, plain and simple. Rather than tightening the state’s own belt, the governor is handing the bill to counties," Rep. Joy said. "That means local leaders like ours are being forced to choose between slashing essential services or raising property taxes on hardworking families. Neither option is fair or sustainable."

Joy stated that some counties may see property tax increases approaching 9 percent due to these proposed changes.

"Minnesotans deserve better," he said. "Fiscal responsibility shouldn’t mean passing the buck—it should mean thoughtful planning and honest leadership."

The newsletter also referenced new developments related to oversight of public funds following testimony before a House committee investigating fraud connected with Feeding Our Future.

"This week, the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee uncovered deeply troubling evidence about Attorney General Keith Ellison’s involvement in theFeeding Our Future Scandal—the largest fraud case in Minnesota’s history," Rep. Joy wrote.

He continued: "Newly released audio recordings reveal that Ellison was not only aware of concerns surrounding certain organizations under investigation, but actively sympathized with them... Even more concerning, Ellison offered to apply pressure to state agencies on their behalf—agencies he is supposed to represent as Minnesota’s top legal authority."

Rep. Joy added: "Despite claims from his office that it 'jumpstarted' the investigation in 2022, Ellison previously testified that he had no knowledge of the scandal during a 2021 meeting with individuals connected to the scheme... This isn’t about politics. It’s about integrity."

Joy concluded his update by inviting constituents in District 4B to contact him with questions or concerns.