Dear Neighbor,
Minnesotans asked the legislature to provide tax relief, more accountability in state programs and to crack down on fraud this year. The 2026 session is now in the books and we can proudly say: check, check and check on delivering major wins on those issues for the people of our state.
After two years of one-party control in St. Paul, it was important to restore some balance at the Capitol and that’s what happened after Republicans gained a share of power in the House. We kept our eye on the ball as we fought for lower car tabs, property tax cuts, and serious anti-fraud efforts, while also ensuring support for rural hospitals and counties across the state. And, in the end, we succeeded in each of these areas. It’s a good day for Minnesotans and provides some hope we can get our state back on track after the days of one-party control.
Here are some of the highlights:
Tax relief
The former trifecta spent two years raising taxes by $10 billion, spending our $18 billion surplus and growing government by 40 percent. Republicans flipped that around and only stopped billions of dollars in proposed tax increases, but we approved approximately $400 million in tax relief delivered, including:
- $125 million in property tax cuts
- $250 million in car tab fee reductions
- Ending the ballpark sales tax
- One Big Beautiful Bill tax conformity to help Minnesota businesses and job creators
- Extending the Pass-Through Entity tax provision, providing hundreds of millions in relief for Minnesota businesses at zero cost to the state
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel credit.
- Delaying PFAS reporting requirements for 9 months through the end of the 2027 session, giving Minnesota businesses relief from costly compliance requirements.
There is a lot more I would like to do to make Minnesota more affordable, but this is a step in the right direction after what we suffered under one-party control.
Local projects
A $1.2 billion infrastructure package also received House approval this session, funding projects throughout the state – including nearly $10 million locally. This includes $3.4 million for a Fifth Avenue project and $3 million for a Mississippi riverwalk connection in St. Cloud, and $3 million more for Stearns County to perform work on 332nd Street.
Every bill needed bipartisan support to pass this session because the House is tied 67-67. But capital investment bills need even more support, with a supermajority required for passage. I am proud of the collaboration with everyone from the state, the county and local legislators that took place to make the bonding requests work.
Fraud
The House adopted Medicaid work requirements included in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill to create long-term savings, strengthen accountability, and help combat fraud. Before that, we passed legislation creating a new Office of the Inspector General and implementing additional anti-fraud reforms aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars and restoring trust in government.
Rural hospitals
Relief for hospitals across Minnesota also came late in the session, with the House creating an uncompensated care fund and a new hospital stabilization fund to help facilities facing dire financial situations. Oversite will be included with funding application checkpoints.
Furthermore, Medical Assistance reimbursement rates also will increase for rural and critical access hospitals under legislation passed by the House. The change will help place those hospitals on more equal footing with Twin Cities facilities.
Helping counties
The House also passed major investments in technology updates for counties that is critical to protecting taxpayers, strengthening accountability and making sure benefits go to the Minnesotans who truly qualify instead of fraudsters.
My bills
Here is a rundown of bills I personally authored that were enacted into law this biennium:
- H.F. 3709 allowing banks and credit unions to hold virtual currency on behalf of customers or members – if they choose to offer this service, not as a mandate.
- (H.F. 3766) clarifying how travel insurance can be sold, marketed, and regulated in Minnesota. It provides helps consumers because it sets clearer disclosure, licensing, and oversight rules for travel insurance.
- H.F. 4502 allowing financial institutions to offer trusted contact programs so a designated person can be contacted if fraud, exploitation, emergency, or loss of contact occurs.
- H.F. 286 cracking down on sex trafficking at adult entertainment businesses and massage parlors.
- H.F. 320 allowing auto dealers to participate in shows outside of the counties where they’re licensed.
- H.F. 2229 funding rural residency programs at CentraCare to address the critical shortage of rural physicians and healthcare workers in Greater Minnesota.
The next chapter
I deeply appreciate my opportunity to serve in the House and am beyond grateful for the support I’ve received from the people of District 14A during this endeavor. It was a bittersweet end of session as I leave the House to pursue other opportunities. Click here for a clip of me sharing some final thoughts with the body.
Please Contact Me
It’s an honor and privilege to work for you at the Capitol. Don’t hesitate to contact my office at any time this session to share your thoughts, concerns or ideas. You can call me at 651-296-6316, or email me at rep.bernie.perryman@house.mn.
Bernie
