Friends and neighbors,
You might remember that two years ago, my Republican colleagues in the Senate and I secured a $300 million rescue package for Minnesota’s nursing homes. It was one of the most important things we worked on that year. These facilities were in the midst of a full-blown crisis. Many were days or weeks away from shutting their doors. We pushed for direct grants, increased reimbursement rates, and workforce support, and we got it done. Every nursing home in the state received about $1.1 million on average, with flexibility to use those dollars where they were needed most. That meant keeping staff, maintaining quality care, and avoiding closure.
Fast forward to 2025, and we’re seeing all that progress put at risk. Governor Walz is proposing deep cuts to nursing home funding, including nearly $8 million from facilities right here in our district:
- Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center, New Prague ($1,454,383)
- Northfield Care Center, Northfield ($1,486,815)
- Northfield City Hospital & NSG (NH), Northfield ($1,188,312)
- Three Links Care Center, Northfield ($1,834,898)
- Trinity Care Center, Farmington ($1,939,221)
Remember, these lines on a spreadsheet represent real people that provide critical to our parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors.
Why are we in this situation? In 2023, Democrats took full control of state government and inherited a record $18 billion surplus. They said they would provide huge tax rebates to make life a little easier for working Minnesotans.
Instead, they drained the entire surplus and then, if that wasn’t enough, raised taxes by another $10 billion. State spending jumped by an unsustainable and unheard of 40 percent practically overnight. Many of us urged caution. We asked them to slow down, to be responsible, and to keep their word to taxpayers.
They didn’t listen, and now we are staring at a $6 billion budget deficit just around the corner.
Unfortunately, the governor is choosing to cut care for vulnerable seniors and the disabled rather than rein in the out-of-control government spending that caused the problem in the first place.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,