NW Twin Cities

Minnesota State Representative Joe McDonald provided an update on the legislative session, noting increased bipartisan cooperation in the House. He said that after four years in the legislature, he is seeing more collaboration between Republicans and Democrats. According to McDonald, both parties recognize the need for 68 votes to pass legislation, which has led to more joint efforts.

McDonald stated, "I’ve had many Democratic colleagues cross the aisle to ask us to sign onto bills that truly serve Minnesotans, and we’ve been doing the same. When legislation is good for Minnesota and good for our districts, it’s about working together, not playing politics. Whether it’s education, transportation, healthcare, or other key issues, we are finding common ground to pass meaningful reforms."

He highlighted a bill focused on protecting fairness in women’s sports. McDonald explained that this legislation aims to ensure only women compete in women’s sports and noted its progress through committee with a floor vote expected soon. He added, "The reality is that over 87% of Americans agree that men should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. It’s unfortunate that we even need a bill for something so fundamental, but we’re standing up to protect opportunities for female athletes."

Another bill discussed by McDonald addresses housing assignments in correctional facilities. He said it would ensure only women are housed in female prisons and prevent male inmates from transferring by identifying as women. "This, again, is basic common sense, and I’m proud to support legislation that keeps women safe in correctional settings," he stated.

McDonald also addressed efforts underway to identify waste and fraud within state agencies. He referenced findings of over $600 million in fraud uncovered during the past four years involving programs such as CCAP and Feeding Our Future. "Thanks to strong leadership in committee, we are shining a light on these issues and pushing forward real reforms to stop taxpayer money from being wasted," McDonald said.

He concluded by emphasizing ongoing work toward fiscally responsible policies and a balanced budget while aiming to complete the session by May 20th.