TO THE EDITOR:

As Chair of the Wright County Republicans, I want to commend Minnesota House and Senate Republicans for their constructive and solution-oriented role during the 2025 legislative session. In a year marked by a historically tied House and a divided government, Republicans demonstrated a commitment to governance that helped steer Minnesota through a challenging budget season that reduced spending and rejected calls for higher taxes. Republicans led efforts to strengthen fiscal oversight. Early in the session, they introduced legislation to improve fraud reporting and enhance transparency in state agencies. These reforms reflect a commitment to responsible governance and protecting taxpayer dollars.

They also took an important stand opposing a shift of state financial burdens onto counties. By resisting proposals that would have offloaded costs to local governments, Republicans helped prevent potential increases in property taxes and safeguarded essential county services. Most impressively, they negotiated a $66 billion budget ($5 billion less than 2025) and facilitated a one-day special session that finalized the deal in under 18 hours. This outcome demonstrated that even in a politically complex environment, principled leadership and a demand of bipartisan cooperation can deliver real results.

Minnesota still has a future structural deficit, and our state must take steps to be more competitive, and ultimately more prosperous for everyone.  There is more to do in 2026.  But for now, Minnesotans deserve a government that works—and this year, Republican lawmakers made that happen.

Dan Schonhardt 

Chair, Wright County GOP