Advocacy News, March 27, 2026

LEGISLATIVE HALFTIME

Hello, Hello!!

Welcome to the halftime edition of What's New(s).**

Happy Easter/Passover legislative break. Hopefully some time away will help lessen the tensions around the Capitol Complex.

A big thank you to Kaleb for pinch-hitting while I spent a few days up on the Iron Range with my in-laws. I had forgotten how much I enjoy skiing—and am pleased to report that no medical interventions were required for any member of our group. The weather was superb, the decibel levels were high, and the side quests were plentiful. Two of the three are expected with a group of nine. Beyond the endorphin rush on the slopes, it was a welcome chance to unplug—if only briefly—before diving back into the organized chaos that is legislative session.

As the extended legislative break begins, the endgame remains murky. At times, it feels like both sides are talking past each other rather than toward resolution.

Maybe it comes down to trust. As my friend and former boss, Shannon Watson opines, "the trust deficit is already showing up in committee work." That deficit is becoming harder to ignore. In a state with a well-documented—and, in some cases, litigated—fraud problem, fraud prevention and agency oversight should be a no-brainer. There are multiple approaches on the table. The House Office of Inspector General (OIG) bill, once stalled, is now at least moving again—progress, of a sort. But even there, fault lines remain. During a hearing in the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee, the lone “no” vote came from a DFL member, who warned the bill would create a “very large bureaucracy.” Which raises a fair question: where was that concern when the same "no" vote voted—repeatedly—to stand up an equally large bureaucracy to implement and administer Paid Family and Medical Leave? Consistency matters. Or at least, it should.

Another area where this cropped up recently was the discussion around license tab fees. If you haven't renewed your tabs yet, you might want to make sure your piggy bank is well stocked. Both parties have released "affordability agendas", with Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) saying “The Minnesota economy is working...but for the average Minnesotan, they are feeling the pinch in their budget every single day.” One place that pinch is being felt? Tab fee increases passed during the DFL trifecta. My recent renewal came in just shy of $800—for a Mazda SUV, not a luxury vehicle. Is the GOP proposal to revert to the pre-2023 formula the perfect fix? Probably not, given the budget implications. But when given the opportunity to vote to reduce those costs, DFL members on the transportation committee voted it down. It’s difficult to square higher fees with an “affordability agenda.”

I talk ad nauseam about philosophical consistency in politics—and try to apply that same standard in my own work. I’ve never held an election certificate, don’t plan to run for office, and have no ambitions to govern. Maybe that affords me the luxury of consistency from the ivory tower. Still, it’s a standard worth aspiring to. And one that might go a long way toward closing the trust deficit.

As to how session ends, even money from the in-house "wagers board" oddsmaker sees The Big Four (Governor Walz, Majority Leader Murphy, Speaker Demuth, and DFL Leader Stephenson) and possibly Minority Leader Johnson negotiating global agreements as the legislative clock ticks toward sine die.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the legislative break.

- JP

**Editor's Note: What's New(s) will observe the legislative break and return to your inbox on April 10.

HF 3322 (Franson) | SF 4439 (Johnson Stewart) – Proposes a ten-cent excise tax on plastic beverage bottles sold in Minnesota, paid by bottle distributors and distributed into a newly created Water Infrastructure Account.

HF 2567 (Greenman) | SF 2533 (Mann) – Prohibits Training Repayment Agreement Provisions in employment contracts, which require employees to pay their employer a sum of money if the leave before a specified period of time as a reimbursement for relocation, immigration assistance, or education costs.

HF 4204 (Frazier) | SF 4139 (Frentz) – Legalize and regulate mobile sports betting in Minnesota exclusively through the state’s 11 federally recognized Indian Tribes, with a 22% tax on revenue directed toward charitable relief, problem gambling treatment, and other public programs.

I had a chance encounter with podcaster extraordinaire, author, Emmy Award winner, and all-around great human being Sheletta Brundidge (Sheletta Makes Me Laugh) last week. I think she's only the second Emmy winner I've crossed paths with this year. We connected over our mutual relationships to my now Florida-based in-laws and their previous business, MinnyRow Market.

As mentioned above, Mrs. Perlich and I spent a long weekend skiing at Giant's Ridge. While I'm a transplant to Minnesota, I feel a kinship to the Iron Range. It's probably my Croatian heritage, affinity for pasties (with rutabaga) as the grandson of a copper miner, love of the traditional Finnish sauna (stove bought in the Iron Range) at our hunting shack, and my hand-me-down Steger mukluks.

IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT NEWS

• MN Court of Appeals blocks St. Paul’s sales tax use for The Heights, Victoria Park.
• St. Paul sales tax lawsuit author argues extra parks projects not legal.
• Eagan mayor touts progress at State of the City.
• St. Paul will open two-day window to apply for emergency rental assistance.
• Minneapolis Council meeting becomes a heated debate with several personal clashes.
• St. Paul City Council approves 60-day eviction notice mandate for landlords.
• Minneapolis City Council fails to override Frey’s veto of eviction pause while St. Paul OKs similar plan.
• Saint Paul designates $5M in funding for the Downtown Vitality Fund.
• Hennepin County Commissioner sparks outcry over sheriff’s public safety role.
• University of St. Thomas seeks to build up properties along Summit, Cretin and Grand avenues.
• St. Paul City Council may exempt public housing from 60-day eviction notice.
• Big fix coming to one of Burnsville’s most notorious bottlenecks.
• New St. Paul city clerk has roots at St. Kate’s, St. Thomas.
• Metro Transit’s Gold Line turns 1. Here’s what riders have to say.
• South Metro hires new fire chief in response to retirement of Chief Mark Juelfs.
• (Opinion) The CVS rubble explained: What we can learn from the 20-year debacle at Snelling and University. 
• West St. Paul City Council highlights: April 2026.
• Rosemount Planning Commission approves site plan for The Copperfield's second location.
• Emergency rental assistance is coming to Minneapolis, but from where?
• Forest Lake police chief retiring, open house planned.
• Reuter Walton plans $117M affordable housing project in West Side St. Paul.
• Minneapolis commercial property values drop 9% as homeowners shoulder greater tax burden.
• Downtown St. Paul office towers see double-digit value drops again.
• Washington County approves roundabout project at Hwy 95, Bailey Road intersection.
• White Bear Lake approves business licenses for new licensing year.

IN STATE GOVERNMENT NEWS

• Public office, private peril: Threats increasing the price of holding office in Minnesota.
• Is this omnibus going to crash? Appeals panel entertains notion that entire 2024 omnibus bill is unconstitutional.
• License tab fees likely to stay high after bill fails in transportation committee.
• Minnesota Legislature’s deadlines could filter high-interest bills this week.
• Ramstad: Walz says DFLers shouldn’t raise taxes on the rich.
• Minnesota's new paid leave program is a godsend to some, frustrating to others.
• (Opinion) Early signs of tension surface with 2026 legislative session underway. 
• Walz, Legislature to begin work on fraud budget proposals.
• As Minnesota lawmakers look to fight fraud, disagreement remains over Inspector General details.
• House Fraud Committee hears testimony about millions in cash passing through MSP Airport.
• Minnesota Senate advances bill to offer grants to small businesses impacted by Operation Metro Surge.
• All aboard for K.C. and Fargo? It could happen.
• Weapons screening at Minnesota Capitol "running smoothly," State Patrol says; over 67K screened.
• Office of Inspector General bill moves forward — although reluctantly for some members.
• Bill aims to codify ‘kickbacks’ in state law definition of fraud.
• Minnesota residents opposed to data centers look to legislators for moratoriums and transparency.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Schedule a free premise survey with SPPD Crime Prevention team.

Saint Paul is currently seeking applicants for the Labor Standards Advisory Committee.

Dakota County is seeking members for three advisory committees.

Ramsey County is seeking members for Advisory Boards and Committees.

Apply to a Washington County Advisory Board or Committee.

Minnesota Boards and Commissions Seeking Applications, The Office of the Secretary of State opened all seats on Governor appointed Boards and Commissions to begin accepting applications for appointments. People interested in serving on a state board or commission can view open board and commission positions as well as submit their application on the Office of the Secretary of State’s website. 

Join a Vadnais Heights Advisory Commission.

Forest Lake is accepting applications for appointments to the Airport Commission, EDA, Parks Commission, and Planning Commission.

Saint Paul HREEO Commission Openings.

Rondo streets study- Phase 1 engagement visioning survey.

Arden Hills seeking applicants for Advisory Commissions and Committees.

Saint Paul’s Capital Improvement Budget Committee seeks applicants.

Join the Ramsey County District 3 Small Business Collaborative.

Apply to join the Saint Paul Board of Zoning Appeals.

Saint Paul seeking names for new park at The Heights.

Falcon Heights seeking applicants for Community Engagement, Environment, Planning, and Parks & Recreation Commissions.

Take the Saint Paul Audit Committee topic suggestions survey.

Roseville is seeking applicants for four citizen advisory commissions. 

Apply for the Capitol Outreach for Revitalization & Expansion (CORE) Grant Program.

Apply to join the Lake Elmo Planning Commission.

Take the B Line bus lane survey.

Revitalize West 7^th Spring Grants now open.

Minnesota Promise Act Grant still accepting applications.

TOWN HALLS/PUBLIC MEETINGS

Community Coffee Hour w/ Rep. Robert Bierman

• March 28, 9-10:00am, Dunn Brothers Coffee - 15265 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124

Legislative Town Hall on Revitalizing St. Paul w/ Rep. Pérez-Vega, Rep. Hussein, and Rep. Xiong

• March 30, 6-8:00pm, RSVP for Location

Virtual Legislative Town Hall w/ Rep. Brion Curran

• March 31, 6-7:30pm, RSVP for Zoom link

District 47 Legislative Town Hall w/ Sen. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, Rep. Shelley Buck, and Rep. Ethan Cha

• April 1, 6-7:00pm, RSVP for Location

Office Hours w/ Councilmember Cheniqua Johnson

• April 3, 12-1:00pm, Swede Hollow Café – 725 7^th St E, St. Paul, MN 55106

Mendota Heights Municipal Campus Project

• April 7, 4-5:00pm, Mendota Heights City Hall - 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118

Office Hours with Shoreview Mayor Sue Denkinger

• April 7, 8-9:30am, Shoreview City Hall - 4600 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126

Saint Paul Common Cent informational meetings

• April 8, 5:30-6:30pm, Join via Microsoft Teams

Lakeville State of the City

• April 8, 11:30am, Chart House – 11287 Klamath Trail, Lakeville, MN 55044

Office Hours w/ Vadnais Heights Mayor Mike Krachmer

• April 8, 3:30-4:30pm, Vadnais Heights City Hall - 800 County Rd E, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

Burnsville State of the City Address

• April 13, 4:00pm, Ames Center – 12600 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337

St. Paul Police Department Western District Monthly Community Meeting

• April 21, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Western District - 389 Hamline Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104 

St. Paul Police Department Eastern District Monthly Community Meeting

• April 21, 9:00am and 6:00pm, SPPD Eastern District – 722 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130 

Merriam Park Site Improvements Project Open House

• April 22, 6-8:00pm, Merriam Park Rec Center – 2000 St Anthony Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

Saint Paul Police Department Virtual Workshop Series

• April 23, 6-7:00pm, Register Here for Personal Safety
• May 28, 6-7:00pm, Register Here for Fraud and Identity Theft

Downtown Action Series w/ Council President Noecker

• April 23, 4:30-6:00pm, Union Depot – 214 4^th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101, Register Here

April Community Conversation w/ Council President Rebecca Noecker and Councilmember Saura Jost

• April 28, 4-5:00pm, Highland Park Library - 1974 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116

ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS, AND COMMS STAFF:

Help us help you spread the word about engagement opportunities, town halls, listening sessions, etc. in the East Metro. If you have news to share, please be sure to send it to JP for inclusion in the newsletter!

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