Friends and neighbors,

The 2024 legislative session is underway, and it is a privilege to be back in St. Paul fighting for the great folks of District 27. I am honored this year to continue serving as the Republican lead of the Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee. I will also serve on the Senate Human Services; Elections; and Ethics committees.

Last year, we saw the Democrat majority force their extreme and expensive agenda into law. They spent the entirety of the $18 billion surplus, but that still was not enough, as they raised your taxes and fees by nearly $10 billion. Our schools are now struggling under heavy mandates and Minnesota families’ budgets are feeling the strain.

The forecast also shows Democrat tax increases leading to a $3.7 billion surplus in 2025 and a $1.5 billion structural deficit beginning in 2026. The deficit is forecasted as if the surplus will not be spent, meaning ongoing spending bills passed in 2024 could further increase the structural deficit.

That is why I believe we must dedicate ourselves this session to repairing the damage done by one-party control. We need to rein in out-of-control spending and stop Democrats from further increasing your taxes. We need to reduce the mandates on our schools and put our students first by focusing on core academics. Minnesotans cannot afford another year of one-party Democrat control.

Additionally, another issue I will continue to advocate for this year is the security of Minnesota’s energy future. On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Senate Energy Committee heard my legislation, SF 3120, to conduct a study on the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of advanced nuclear technologies. This is a bill I have carried in the past, and though it is a small step, it is important to get more baseload power in Minnesota with nuclear.

The study would be directed to consider the feasibility of replacing coal-fired boilers with nuclear reactors, which would reutilize energy infrastructure. As we shutter conventional generation before the asset’s useful service life, we must understand any potential benefits of emerging technologies to ensure Minnesota can achieve its carbon goals. 

Minnesota must have a dependable and sustainable energy outlook, and if we are removing coal and gas generation, we need more nuclear. I will continue to share updates on this legislation and other key issues as session progresses.

Contact My Office

I want to hear from you, my constituents, on issues that are important to you. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. You can contact my office at sen.andrew.mathews@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-8075.

Sincerely,

Andrew