The following is a reprint of the press release announcing the appointment of Senator Mark Koran to the LI General Advisory Commission. Congratulations, Mark! ST. PAUL – Senator Mark Koran (R–North Branch) was appointed this week to the Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission. The commission will make recommendations to the governor on the appointment of the inspector general and conduct hearings to review the office’s work. It consists of two senators and two House members from each caucus. “The OIG is a powerful new tool in the fight against fraud, and this advisory commission will play a critical role in ensuring it’s effective at protecting Minnesotans’ hard-earned tax dollars,” said Sen. Koran. “We’ve needed new tools to address [...]

Your Content Goes Here Standing for Safety Sponsored legislation to expand lawful carry Backed new investments in law enforcement training Championed stronger self-defense laws Putting Minnesotans First Opposed Democrat cuts to non-public school funding Sponsored legislation to strengthen parental rights Supported efforts to prioritize the health and financial security of Minnesotans first fighting for good governance It's an honor to represent our community and fight for the values we share. While Democrats continue to push an extreme agenda, I'm focused on delivering common sense solutions that put Minnesotans first. If you have questions concerns or ideas, please don't hesitate to [...]

Congratulations to our State Senator, Mark Koran! He was honored as the 2025 Legislator of Distinction by the League of Minnesota Cities. We knew he was great and a hard-worker. It is fabulous to see him recognized by this organization.

The regular legislative session concluded Monday evening, but critical work remains unfinished. Key budget and policy bills—like education, transportation, health and human services, and taxes—were left on the table. You may recall that session was delayed when House Democrats arrived late to the floor (you can't elect a representative to a district that they don't reside in!). While political distractions slowed the process, Minnesotans rightly expect their Legislature to stay focused and finish the job. With standing committees now operating as “working groups,” negotiations are ongoing in anticipation of a special session. Though I’m not part of one of these working groups, I’m following developments closely and stand ready to serve the moment we are called back to [...]

The Senate floor sessions are underway, but the dynamics this year are noticeably different from recent sessions. While there’s been a greater push for bipartisan cooperation, we’re still seeing some projects and initiatives being advanced that don’t seem to serve the best interests of most Minnesotans. Below, I’ll highlight a few key bills and provide a high-level overview of what has passed in the Senate so far. It’s important to remember that even when a bill passes both the Senate and House, it often heads to a conference committee before it can become law. Final votes on the conference committee report are often where significant changes happen. What is a conference committee? A conference committee is a temporary, [...]

This week, we began walk-throughs of the omnibus bills and started adding amendments, aiming to improve them for the benefit of every Minnesotan. Once these committee omnibus bills are finalized, we expect to begin hearing them the week after Easter.A Hazy Start: Cannabis Office Struggles to LeadThe Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was created under HF 100, the bill regulating Minnesota’s cannabis industry, which was signed into law in May 2023. The law took effect “immediately following final enactment.”If you’ve been following the troubled rollout of the OCM, you’re likely familiar with the steady stream of mishaps and mismanagement plaguing the office. It began with a major oversight—a conflict of interest involving the first governor-appointed director, Erin DuPree, which [...]

I had the opportunity this week to sit down and record a few messages regarding the Governor's return to work declaration, teacher pensions, and student funding. While videos are a great way to get information out in a quick and attention-seeking way through social media, sometimes they bring out more questions. Below is more information regarding the above topics as well as an update to the e-waste survey from last week. Be sure to follow me on social media (Facebook and X).Back to Work: Navigating the Transition Back to the OfficeFor many workers who transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to the office presents both challenges and opportunities. The shift back to in-person work is not [...]

You've likely heard by now the state budget forecast was released on Thursday and it wasn't good. With a state deficit looming, there are many questions that need to be answered. This past week my colleagues and I were joined by several county commissioners from across the state for a press conference to sound the alarm over Governor Walz’s budget proposal. His proposal was concerning for everyone as it pushes $456 million in costs onto our local counties which would result in property tax increases for Minnesotans. Now, with the forecast released, we know there will be increases than expected. This article from my newsletter will cover some of the high-level details surrounding the forecast, but I strongly encourage [...]

Fraud has been allowed to run rampant in Minnesota for years. One of the biggest drivers of this issue is that we have state agencies administering funds without any meaningful oversight to protect the tax dollars being sent out the door. In this newsletter, I'll go over the fraud, waste, and abuse that has been discovered and what I and the Republican Party of Minnesota are working on to ensure our residents are safe from mismanaged policies and procedures in the future. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse I recently had the opportunity to speak to Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Commissioner Brown after yet another story broke about potential fraud within the Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP). The [...]

It has been great to get back to business at the Capitol with the 94th Legislative Session kicking off. As you likely know, the Senate has been operating under a power-sharing agreement since the beginning of session. Because of this agreement, I have been co-chairing the Elections Committee and, I'm happy to report, we were able to pass the first bi-partisan bill out of committee last week. As we push through session, I'll continue to work hard and represent the residents of Chisago and Isanti Counties and be focused on delivering tangible solutions to the issues Minnesotans face. Session Priorities ➤ Cutting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Government Our state has an abysmal record when it comes to [...]