Legislative Update

Dear neighbors,  

We are officially one week into the 2026 Legislative Session. It is great to be back, having the opportunity to work for you here in St. Paul. We took off running this week, but only after taking a day to honor and remember the Hortman’s. Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert were all victims of the horrible assassination on June 14th last year. This was the first ‘first day of session’ in over 20 years that Melissa was not present for. I am thankful for the heartfelt speeches and the opportunity to reflect and remember her career of service.  

Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s desk, covered with roses following the Hortman Remembrance on February 17th, 2026. 

Session Priorities 

As we jump back into legislative work, we remain committed to our 6 key priorities. 

1. Stop the Fraud
2. Make Minnesota Affordable
3. Make Minnesota Safe
4. Raise Standards, Reduce Mandates
5. Make Minnesota Competitive 
6. Minnesota Tax Dollars for Minnesotans 

Top of the list is addressing the fraud problem, and for good reason. Minnesota has lost over $9 billion to fraud, equating to about $3,840 per Minnesota family. The honest truth is that fraud isn’t free! Every single dollar lost to fraud is lost trust and an increased burden on taxpayers across the state. Fraudsters need to be held accountable, and we need to add safeguards to our state-funded programs to prevent future fraud from happening as well. I am determined to keep fighting in hopes of passing a meaningful bill to establish an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with enough teeth in it to give the OIG the ability to take action. Other OIG bills will be proposed, but they have been watered down to the point where it is OIG in name only. We are determined to setup the OIG and enable it with real authority to prosecute criminals.  

As always, I am dedicated to the success and best interest of our district. For that reason, I am drafting two bills for Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). I wrote about this issue in a previous newsletter, which is linked here if you’d like more information. 

February Forecast Upcoming 

Every November and February, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) releases a budget forecast for our state budget. This forecast gives us a look into the financial health of our state, making projections into future biennia and giving us an idea of how to proceed with present budget decisions.  

The upcoming forecast is due to be released this month, and they have chosen to release it on Friday, February 27th. This is the last day that they can release the report to be in compliance with state law.  

We have a short session this year, since it is not a budget year, and this report will have an impact on our actions this session and next, as we are anticipating bad news and a future deficit. I will share more information in 2 weeks, after the forecast has been released and my team has some time to look over the report.  

Coffee with Tom 

In March, Coffee with Tom will be in Owatonna on Friday, March 6th at the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce building from 12:00pm-1:00pm. 

Then, Coffee with Tom will meet in Waseca on Friday, March 13th at the Waseca Chamber of Commerce from 12:00pm-1:00pm. 

Thank you for your support and feedback! 

I want to hear you

I am always here to listens to concerns or ideas of my constituents. I can be reached via email rep.tom.sexton@house.mn.gov or phone 651-296-5368. 

If you would like to contact Rep. Sexton, DO NOT reply to this email. Please reach out directly to rep.tom.sexton@house.mn.gov.