We are two weeks into the 2026 legislative session, and committee work is moving quickly as we begin advancing priorities for Minnesota students, families, and workers. With the House evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, progress will require the same sort of patience and cooperation we pushed for last year.

My goal this session is to stay focused on policies that strengthen our schools, support working families, restore accountability, and bring levelheaded common sense to the decisions being made at the Capitol.

I will continue serving as GOP Vice Chair of the Education Finance Committee and as a member of the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee where I will continue to advocate for policies that support educators and students while expanding career opportunities that benefit young Minnesotans entering the workforce and employers looking for young talent.

Protecting Kids Online | HF 1434

This week, I presented House File 1434 in the Commerce Committee. The purpose of this bill is simple: require age verification on pornography websites so minors cannot easily access or stumble upon graphic adult content online.

We do not allow minors to purchase pornographic material in stores and I don’t see why the internet should be treated any differently. This legislation brings reasonable protections into the digital age by applying the same standard online that already exists in the physical world.

As both a father and a middle school principal, I see every day just how much access students have to technology. Parents and educators are working hard to guide young people toward responsible digital habits. The least we can do as policymakers is ensure reasonable guardrails are in place.

The bill includes strong data privacy protections. Verification data must be deleted and cannot be sold or shared. We can protect children while also protecting personal information, and I believe this proposal strikes that balance.

During committee discussion, one member suggested that minors may need access to pornography for educational purposes. I want to be clear: pornography is not education. It is not a substitute for age-appropriate instruction, and it should not be treated as such. Our responsibility is to protect children, not rationalize their exposure to explicit content.

The second clip below features attorney Renee Carlson discussing the legal standing of age-verification laws and why this approach is both constitutional and reasonable.

Public opinion strongly supports action in this area, with 84 percent of surveyed respondents favoring digital protections to prevent minors from accessing pornography. If you have any concerns or thoughts on how we can ensure this bill is balanced correctly, be sure to reach out to me or my office.

School Safety in Education Finance

On Tuesday, the Education Finance Committee heard several school safety proposals, and I was proud to sign on in support of four bills focused on giving schools practical tools to protect students and staff.

HF 3492 creates a School Safety Facility Grant program to help schools make real, on-the-ground security improvements. Schools know their buildings and their needs best, and this proposal helps ensure they have the flexibility to strengthen safety in ways that actually work for their communities.

HF 3495 expands eligibility for the existing building and cybersecurity grant program to include Tribal contract schools and nonpublic schools. Cybersecurity threats are a growing reality for schools, and protecting student data and school systems is just as important as physical safety. Every student deserves a safe learning environment, regardless of where they attend school.

I also signed on in support of HF 3493 and HF 3494, which strengthen the Safe Schools funding structure and give schools more flexibility to support student safety through both physical security and student support services. Safety is not just about doors and cameras. It is also about making sure students have access to counselors, social workers, and other supports that help create safe and healthy school environments.

Below is compelling testimony from Annunciation parent Cally Proctor who spoke before the Education Finance Committee on Tuesday.

I am working in Schools alongside teachers and students every day so school safety is not an abstract policy discussion for me. It is something I think about every single day. Keeping our children safe should never be partisan. We all agree on the goal. The work ahead is making sure we deliver practical solutions that schools can actually use.

Office of Inspector General Update

There was renewed urgency this week to pass legislation establishing a statewide Office of Inspector General to strengthen oversight and accountability in state government.

The proposal has broad support, including nearly the entire Senate, every House Republican, and backing from the Governor’s office. Unfortunately, the effort was once again blocked in the House.

Accountability and transparency are not partisan concepts. Minnesotans expect their tax dollars to be protected, and I will continue supporting meaningful oversight measures that strengthen trust in state government.

Below is compelling testimony from Annunciation parent Cally Proctor who spoke before the Education Finance Committee on Tuesday.

February Budget Forecast: Short-Term Surplus, Long-Term Responsibility

Earlier today, Minnesota’s economic experts released the February budget forecast, showing a $3.7 billion surplus for FY 2026-27.

While that is positive news in the short term, the bigger concern is ahead. The forecast projects that expenses and inflation will outpace expected revenue by roughly $3.4 billion in the next budget cycle, meaning the structural imbalance issue remains.

When ongoing spending grows faster than revenue, it creates long-term pressure on taxpayers. That is why we should begin identifying ways to restrain state spending now so we can better manage the next budget cycle without raising taxes.

Strong revenues also present an opportunity to focus on affordability and provide direct relief to working families while supporting the Main Street businesses that drive our local economy.

At the same time, tax increases and new spending commitments should be off the table. Families are still facing higher costs for groceries, housing, and energy. The focus at the Capitol should be on lowering costs and creating stability, not expanding government further.

A short-term surplus does not remove the need for discipline. It gives us the chance to make responsible decisions now to keep Minnesota on solid financial footing.

A Full Week of Committees and Community Conversations

This week was filled with committee hearings, stakeholder discussions, and meaningful conversations with constituents across our district and the state. I’m grateful to everyone who took time to share their thoughts and perspectives.

In Labor & Workforce Committee, we received an overview of Paid Family and Medical Leave from DEED, as well as presentations from Explore Minnesota and the state demographer. These discussions are important as we evaluate workforce trends, economic competitiveness, and the long-term impact of state programs on employers and employees.

In Education Finance Committee, we discussed the financial realities facing schools across Minnesota and heard multiple school safety bills. I also participated in conversations around PSEO in a bipartisan setting and met with Minnesota Private Colleges regarding the State Grant program. Preparing students for successful career and educational pathways continues to be a top priority.

It was great to hear directly from Shakopee Public Schools about Youth Skills and the Shakopee Academy Program, meet with charter school leaders, and connect with school counselors. I also appreciated listening to a student from Tokata Learning Center in Shakopee and participating in a broader stakeholder meeting about strengthening educational pathways.

Throughout the week, I met with a wide range of community and business leaders, including:

• GREATER MSP, Medtronic, and the University of Minnesota to discuss medical technology innovation

• The Minnesota Grocers Association

• The American Heart Association

• CAP Agency regarding Head Start programming

• The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

• Scott County officials to discuss solid waste planning

• The U.S. Highway 169 Corridor Coalition

• Twin Cities Motion regarding the Twin Cities Marathon

I also appreciated time with dairy farmers during Minnesota Dairy Day at the Capitol and had the opportunity to congratulate Chief Tate of the Shakopee Police Department.

Beyond meetings and committee work, we wrapped up the week cheering on student-athletes at the State Wrestling Tournament, including competitors from Scott West and Shakopee It’s always inspiring to see the dedication and pride these students bring while representing our communities.

Weeks like this reinforce why staying connected matters. Listening to families, educators, employers, and local leaders helps ensure the work we do at the Capitol reflects real-world experiences here at home.

Some of the photos from this week’s events.

Please Contact Me

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. As always, I welcome your questions, feedback, and ideas. Please continue to reach out if I can be of any assistance to you. You can contact me by phone at 651-296-5185 or by email at rep.ben.bakeberg@house.mn.gov. 

Have a great weekend!