The legislature is working to resolve this session’s biggest issues but, before we get into that subject, I want to wish people in our area good luck in this weekend’s fishing opener and a happy Mother’s Day on Sunday!

As for the latest news from St. Paul:

Hello from the House, where this week we have good news to report on legislation I’ve authored to provide signage for Automated External Defibrillator locations in our state.

Here’s the latest on that and more from the Capitol:

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House has reached a bipartisan agreement on the framework of a new state budget, including the largest spending reduction in Minnesota history to address a looming shortfall.

State Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, said legislators have agreed to cut $4 billion from the current budget, with an additional $1.2 billion reduction planned for 2026-27…

ST. PAUL – A new website is now available for whistleblowers to confidentially report suspected fraud, waste and abuse within Minnesota’s state government.

State Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, said the launch of MNFraud.com is just one way House Republicans are working to root out tax dollar improprieties running rampant in Minnesota programs, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

Greetings from the House, where I continue receiving nice messages of support after my bill on sex trafficking passed the House 132-0 last week.

Thank you to everyone who continues providing encouragement and to all those who continue working to bring my bill across the finish line. Here’s hoping it gets through the Senate soon so the governor can sign it into law. Click here for more on the bill.

In other news:

Greetings from the House. Before we get to official business, I want to mention Lenten fish fries have started back at home and I can’t wait to get to as many as I can. Hope to see you there!

Here are my latest legislative notes:

ST. PAUL – State officials issued an updated economic forecast Thursday and it shows Minnesota’s bottom line continues to decline, with a smaller short-term surplus and a growing deficit on the horizon.

The report from Minnesota Management & Budget reveals a $456 million projected balance for 2026-27, down $160 million from previous estimates. The projected general fund shortfall for the 2028-29 biennium is now $6 billion…

The House continues to spend most of its time in committee meetings at this point in the session, but we have had some important bills come to the floor along the way.

Here’s the latest:

ST. PAUL – House Democrats on Thursday ended their weeks-long shutdown of state government and the Minnesota House officially came to order.

House Democrats did not appear at the Capitol for the first day of the 2025 session on Jan. 14 and remained absent in the weeks since. Their arrival Thursday came after Republicans and Democrats announced they reached an organizational agreement Wednesday.

ST. PAUL – Minnesota House Republicans have drafted a package of bills Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, said would make Minnesota a more affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.

Perryman said the bills, authored as part of the GOP’s “Make Minnesota Affordable” initiative, focus on lowering energy costs, reducing the tax burden, and ensuring budget surpluses benefit hardworking Minnesotans…

ST. PAUL – State Rep. Bernie Perryman, R-St. Cloud, is an author of three bills House Republicans have introduced to curb fraud, waste, and abuse in state programs.

Perryman said the common thread among the bills is to increase accountability and protect taxpayers at a time fraud and waste is rampant in Minnesota…

ST. PAUL – State Rep. Bernie Perryman, returned to the Capitol on Tuesday to perform the oath of office in the Minnesota House of Representatives as the 94th Legislature was installed.

Perryman was re-elected to the House for a second term in November. She serves District 14A in St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta and St. Joseph. She will serve on two House committees this biennium, related to commerce and health.