SC Minnesota News

After a session marked by a late start and extended negotiations, Minnesota State Representative Erica Schwartz (R-North Mankato) has provided an update on legislative activities and priorities following the recent adjournment.

Schwartz noted that the legislative session began slowly, with significant House activity delayed until late January. She attributed this to an initial absence of House DFL members but highlighted that, once underway, Republicans used the evenly split 67-67 House to influence budget decisions.

"Thanks to your voices and strong Republican leadership, we:

Blocked a fifth-tier income tax hike that would’ve cost hardworking Minnesotans $8 billion

Stopped the governor’s sales tax increase ($400 million)

Rejected new taxes on professional services like accounting and legal help ($334 million)

Ended taxpayer-funded health care for adult illegal immigrants"

She also reported that lawmakers achieved what she described as "the largest spending reduction in state history," cutting more than $2 billion from the budget and keeping overall spending $5 billion below last session’s levels. According to Schwartz, these changes were intended to address concerns about government spending and taxation.

In her role as Co–Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee, Schwartz said she worked toward a revised higher education budget aimed at student needs. She listed several outcomes: full funding for the Fostering Independence Grant for students leaving foster care; removal of taxpayer-funded cannabis workforce training; measures to prevent repeat degree seekers from accessing tuition-free classes under North Star Promise; closing a shortfall in the State Grant Program; and eliminating grants for large institutions such as Mayo Clinic.

"This was a win for first generation students, foster youth, and every family trying to make college a reality without being crushed by red tape or tuition bills," Schwartz stated.

Schwartz co-authored House File 104, which was included in the Public Safety Omnibus Bill. The legislation aims to provide greater privacy protections for young people involved in restorative justice programs. "Restorative justice works best when participants feel safe and supported and this bill helps us do just that!" she said.

Additionally, Schwartz authored House File 2665—now part of the Transportation Omnibus Bill—which reclassifies crude soybean oil as a qualifying agricultural product for special transportation permits. This change is designed to support farmers and rural producers by simplifying logistics related to agricultural transport across Minnesota (https://www.mda.state.mn.us/agriculture).

Schwartz concluded her update by emphasizing ongoing efforts on issues including child protection, support for agriculture, and reforms in higher education. She reiterated her commitment to representing Greater Minnesota interests at the Capitol.

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