From the desk of Representative Natalie Zeleznikar

Dear Northlanders,

Tragedy has struck our state with the senseless loss of beloved indi­viduals. We mourn the passing of Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and pray for the healing of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Our hearts break—not as Democrats or Re­publicans, but as Minnesotans. We grieve as people first, devastated by an act of unimaginable violence.

In the aftermath of this horror, we came together in shared shock and sorrow. We prayed for the families who lost mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and dear friends. We prayed for those fighting to recov­er from surgeries and trauma. As a legislator, I still feel numb. As a mother, my thoughts remain with every grieving family. Not once did political party come into the con­versation—only concern, compas­sion, and support.

Colleagues from both sides of the aisle reached out to each other. In a dark moment, our humanity unites us. These genuine, heartfelt expres­sions of solidarity have meant so much. Thank you to all who have sent prayers and support.

Although the 2025 legislative session formally ended on June 9th, the healing is just beginning. The tragedy has left a lasting mark on the House and Senate chambers. In these moments, politics fades. What matters is simply: “Are you safe?” and “How are you doing?”

While we all have a letter after our names, the reality is the D, and the R are not what matters. What matters is our concern for each oth­er as human beings, and a pathway forward for healing Minnesota with grace and respect to serve our com­munities. We are better together.

This year’s session was also his­toric. For the first time, we had a perfectly split House—101 Dem­ocrats and 100 Republicans across both chambers—making ours the closest legislative divide in the na­tion. With this new balance came new responsibilities and new op­portunities for bipartisan coopera­tion.

Despite tough challenges, we made progress. Republicans, now sharing the table, focused on re­storing fiscal responsibility. The state budget is now 8% smaller than the previous biennium, cut­ting the deficit in half—by $3 bil­lion. We blocked increases to the sales tax and stopped the creation of a new income tax bracket, ensur­ing Minnesotans can keep more of their hard-earned dollars at a time of financial strain.

Some decisions were difficult but necessary. Health care coverage for undocumented adults over 18 was discontinued, allowing us to prior­itize services for citizens and legal residents. At the same time, we preserved long-standing bipartisan commitments like transportation for all students—public, private, or charter—as well as support for nurses, homeschoolers, and pub­lic-school staff.

We passed $700 million in bond­ing legislation to support vital in­frastructure—roads, bridges, and public works statewide. I’m hope­ful that final bonding priorities will include utility infrastructure in Proctor, which remains a key need.

For our region, we secured criti­cal wins:

• $17 million to support reliable ambulance services for every community, regardless of zip code.
• $10 million for replacing the aging Duluth Airport control tower—a vital public safety upgrade.
• $1 million in childcare grants, including $250,000 specifical­ly for Northeast Minnesota to help working families access care.
• Preserved ATV trail funding, Local Government Aid, and County Program Aid critical to our rural and recreational com­munities.
• Passed permitting reform to create more clarity and certain­ty for businesses seeking to in­vest and expand.

We also corrected flawed laws from the previous session that had unintentionally banned the sale of keys and youth-sized recreational vehicles like ATVs and snowmo­biles. These changes were neces­sary to support family recreation and small businesses.

A significant bipartisan achieve­ment was the formation of a fraud oversight committee, made pos­sible by the House’s 67-67 split and Republican speakership. We implemented a fraud tip line and tightened oversight of taxpayer funds going to state agencies and nonprofits—an important step af­ter reports of over $600 million in fraud emerged.

This session required compro­mise. No one got everything they wanted. But by working togeth­er, we made meaningful progress. Our work continues—to cut taxes, grow jobs, and protect the values that define Minnesota.

It remains the greatest honor to serve the people of Proctor, Her­mantown, Rice Lake, Gary–New Duluth, Two Harbors, and our 14 great townships. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me. May we all do the simple things to bright­en the days of those in need with a kind word, a smile, a genuine greeting, a handshake, or a work of encouragement. It is the simple things that matter the most for us all.

With hope & healing,

Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar- State Rep­resentative – Northern Minnesota
Representing Proctor, Herman­town, Two Harbors, Rice Lake, Gary-New Duluth & 14 Great Townships