West Twin Cities

This past Monday, the Minnesota Legislature held a special session to address unfinished omnibus bills and complete the state budget. Representative Bobbie Harder expressed both relief at the session's conclusion and frustration with the delay, noting that the process extended beyond the regular deadline.

"This delay is a good example of why it’s so important to get to work on day one. Pushing major bills to the very end only creates unnecessary pressure, confusion, and additional costs for Minnesota taxpayers. It didn’t need to happen this way," Harder said.

During the special session, members of the House debated and passed several large omnibus bills. Some measures included funding for emergency medical services, hospitals, and local infrastructure. However, other bills contained last-minute policy additions and mandates that Harder found difficult to support. She stated she reviewed each bill carefully and voted in favor of provisions benefiting communities while opposing those that added new burdens for taxpayers, schools, or local governments.

Harder highlighted the Education Policy bill as a significant outcome from this week’s session. She thanked parents, teachers, and school leaders for their input over recent months: "Your input made a real difference in shaping this bill. It is a clear example of how public feedback leads to better policy."

The final version of the Education Policy bill maintained nonpublic pupil aid for homeschool, religious, and charter school students. A key change was adopting the Science of Reading as Minnesota’s official literacy standard—a move intended to help students develop strong reading skills early in their education.

In addition to legislative work, Harder attended Sibley County’s Cancer Cruise event last Saturday. The event raised tens of thousands of dollars for residents battling cancer in her community.

"It was a powerful reminder of what makes our communities so special. When someone is in need, our neighbors step up. I’m proud to represent a district that shows this kind of heart and support for one another," she said.

With the legislative session now concluded, Harder plans to continue engaging with constituents on district priorities such as agriculture, infrastructure needs, and local government issues throughout the year.

"If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas about what’s happening at the Capitol, what was passed this session, or how I can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to serve and I really appreciate your feedback!" she added.