Legislative Update
Hello neighbors,
I hope this update finds you well. Our weather here is always unpredictable, but after enduring bitter cold, a stretch of warmer days is a welcome change. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful weather—whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to a local park, or simply stepping outside to soak up the sunshine. It’s a great reminder of how refreshing and uplifting a little time outdoors can be!
Meeting with Nurses
I had a great meeting this week with a few nurses from the Minnesota Nurses Association, and I truly appreciated the chance to hear directly from them about the realities they face in their profession. Our healthcare workers are essential to our communities, and they continue to navigate significant challenges, from staffing shortages to workplace safety concerns and ever-evolving healthcare policies. It was valuable to discuss these issues with local nurses and gain insight into how we can better support them through legislation. Their dedication to patient care is inspiring, and I look forward to working on solutions that address their concerns and strengthen our healthcare system. Thank you to Doreen McIntyre and Michelle Sorensen for the visit.
Time in Waseca
I had the opportunity to meet with many wonderful people in Waseca this week and was honored to be present for a special moment—Ken Borgmann receiving his retirement award after more than 30 years of dedicated leadership with the Sleigh & Cutter Festival. This festival is a beloved community tradition that brings people together year after year, and Ken’s commitment has played a vital role in its success. His hard work and passion have made a lasting impact, and I am grateful for his intentional service in making this event such a cherished part of Waseca. Congratulations to Ken on a well-earned retirement!
Pictured from Left to Right: Waseca County Commissioner, Brad Milbrath; Representative Sexton; Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Robin Dulas; Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, President Mikhail Rostislavovich; Retiring Sleigh and Cutter Committee President, Ken Borgmann; Waseca County Sheriff Jay Dulas.
Data Center Tour
Late last week, I had the chance to tour a data center in Chaska with my colleagues from the Energy Committee. It was a great opportunity to see how data centers work and get an understanding of the impact that these centers will have on the MN economy.
IBEW Legislative Reception
I also attended the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Legislative Reception. I talked to member Rick Bartz, who is a former Waseca resident. It was great to connect and catch up!
Rural Caucus and House File 11
I participate in the Rural Caucus which is a group of Senators and Representatives from out-state districts coming together to address our specific needs. A main focus of the rural caucus this session has been on our Paid Leave Law. This law is supposed to go into effect on Jan 1, 2026, which is putting a lot of pressure on our local businesses, employers, and schools as they try to determine how to function under this law. This bill passes extra expenses along to these groups that can’t afford it. In the best interest of these groups, delaying the implementation of this law by one year would give us additional time to determine the best way to organize it to the advantage of our local schools and businesses. HF11 accomplishes this delay in implementation.
MN Board of Public Defenders and Teamsters
I got to meet with two Dispositional Advisor supporting the Minnesota Board of Public Defense that are part of the Teamsters Local 320. Two issues adversely impacting their career are increasing caseloads per person and the attempts to address a wage freeze dating back to 2008. Delayed wage increases since then, still come up short compared to competing careers. Our Dispositional Advisors and Public Defenders do fantastic work; however, they cannot make reasonable progress with increasing caseloads and competing pay rates in less stressful careers. The result is declining staff with no one entering their essential careers. We need to address these very real concerns.
Left to right: Shane Roessler (Waseca), Rep. Sexton, and Jamie Vanoosbree (Owatonna)