Paul Torkelson

This partisan package dumps millions into state agencies, labor programs, and economic development bureaucracies while offering few real benefits to small businesses or workers. It expands government control, funnels taxpayer dollars into union priorities, and burdens Minnesota employers with more regulations and red tape. CPAC opposes this measure as a reckless spending spree that undermines free enterprise, discourages job creation, and grows government at the expense of taxpayers. The House passed the bill 96-37. The Senate passed the bill 40-27 and it was signed into law.on June 14, 2025.

This Democrat-backed amendment to the Transportation Finance and Policy Bill increases state spending on urban transit, EV infrastructure, and climate-aligned projects. CPAC supports an all of the above energy policy. The bill imposes new fees and maintains inflation-indexed gas taxes, expanding government control over transportation funding and diverting taxpayer dollars toward partisan priorities. CPAC opposes this amendment as a reckless expansion of government authority that burdens taxpayers, favors urban special interests, and grows bureaucracy at the expense of practical infrastructure maintenance. The House failed to adopt the bill 65-68.

This Democrat-led bill expands state spending on children's health and family services, creating new administrative layers, reporting mandates, and state-level oversight. While presented as support for families, it centralizes control in St. Paul, reduces local discretion, and commits taxpayer dollars to programs lacking accountability or measurable results. CPAC opposes this legislation as a partisan increase in government power that undermines fiscal responsibility, local control, and family autonomy. The House passed the bill 73-58. The Senate passed the bill 34-33 and it was signed into law on June 14, 2025, by Governor Tim Walz.

This Democrat-led bill increases state spending on Minnesota's public colleges and universities by roughly $500 million for FY 2026-27, expanding appropriations to the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State systems while adding new diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reporting mandates. Supporters claim it strengthens student success, and workforce readiness, but the measure fuels bureaucratic growth, centralizes state control over higher education, and directs little funding toward affordability or performance outcomes. CPAC opposes this bill for expanding government control and ideological mandates at taxpayer expense. The bill failed in the house 67-67.

This slight partisan bill mandates that a copy of the landlord-tenant guide be provided at the issuance or renewal of a rental license. It imposes an administrative requirement on landlords and licensing authorities, creating additional paperwork without addressing broader housing issues. CPAC opposes this as an unnecessary regulatory burden on property owners. The House passed the bill 91-39.

This partisan Democrat bill expands state intervention in Minnesota's housing market through new spending, regulatory mandates, and government-driven housing initiatives. It prioritizes bureaucratic control over private development and local decision-making, burdening taxpayers and property owners with costly programs that fail to address the root causes of housing affordability. CPAC opposes this bill as an unnecessary expansion of government power and spending in the housing sector. The House passed the bill 109-22.

This partisan Democrat bill expands health and human services spending while increasing government control over budgeting and state resources. CPAC opposes HF2435 because it grows the size of government unnecessarily, burdens taxpayers, and undermines fiscal responsibility. By prioritizing bigger government over efficiency and individual freedom, the measure threatens personal liberty and sound budgeting. The Senate passed the bill, 34-33, but it was never signed into law.

This Democrat-led omnibus bill consolidates state and local government policies with sweeping election and appropriations provisions, expanding bureaucratic control and increasing government spending without accountability. By centralizing authority and imposing new mandates, the measure prioritizes partisan objectives over Minnesotans interests. CPAC opposes this bill as a reckless, left-wing power grab that undermines fiscal responsibility and state governance. The Senate passed the bill 36-31 and it was signed into law on May 23, 2025.

This bipartisan bill expands Minnesota's human services programs at a cost to taxpayers, adding layers of bureaucracy with little oversight. CPAC opposes this measure because it increases spending without guaranteeing better outcomes for residents and reduces accountability in state programs. The House failed to pass the bill 67-67 despite these concerns

This bill repeals MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented adults, ensuring taxpayer-funded health benefits go only to legal residents. CPAC supports this measure as a commonsense reform that prioritizes citizens, restores fairness, and safeguards limited public resources. The House passed the bill 68-65. The Senate passed the bill 48-16 and it was signed into law on June 14, 2025.

This partisan environment and natural resources bill pours hundreds of millions into climate bureaucracies, activist programs, and regulatory expansion while doing little to actually protect Minnesota's land, lakes, or wildlife. Instead of empowering local stewardship or private conservation, it centralizes control in state agencies and prioritizes progressive climate agendas over practical environmental management. CPAC opposes this bill as a wasteful, big-government spending spree that burdens taxpayers and undermines true conservation efforts. The Senate passed the bill 38-29 and it was signed into law on June 14, 2025.

This partisan education finance package raises appropriations by $2.3 billion for FY2024-25, a 9.8% increase, while tying less than 2% of funds to performance benchmarks. It adds over 30 new state mandates for curriculum, staffing, and reporting, with no measurable improvement to student achievement. CPAC opposes HF 5 as a costly expansion of government control that prioritizes bureaucrats and unions over students, families, and school choice. The Senate passed the bill 35-32 and it was signed on June 14, 2025.

This Democrat-led bill directs $820 million from dedicated sales tax revenue toward environmental, arts, and heritage projects, increasing administrative allocations by 14% over 2023 levels. Less than 20% of new funding includes post-grant audits, and constitutionally dedicated funds continue to be diverted toward nonessential initiatives. CPAC opposes HF 2563 as wasteful, expanding bureaucracy while providing minimal oversight or measurable benefit to Minnesotans. The Senate passed the bill 37-30 and it was signed into law on May 18, 2025.

This bill funnels millions in new taxpayer funding toward housing and homelessness programs with minimal accountability and sweeping new bureaucratic mandates. CPAC opposes this measure as wasteful and ineffective, reflecting Democrats continued reliance on government expansion instead of empowering communities and private sector solutions. The House passed the bill 108-26. The Senate passed the bill 36-31 and it was signed into law on May 19, 2025.

This bill establishes a grant program for women's pregnancy centers and maternity homes, ensuring that expectant mothers have access to resources, counseling, and housing support. The measure redirects state funds to organizations that provide life-affirming care and assistance to women choosing to carry their pregnancies to term. Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it diverts funding from abortion providers and imposes ideological restrictions, while supporters emphasize that it empowers women with real alternatives and strengthens community-based maternal support networks. CPAC supports this bill as a compassionate, pro-life initiative that prioritizes mothers and their unborn children over the abortion industry. The House passed the bill 67-65.

This bill preserves fairness and safety in women's athletics by restricting participation on female sports teams to biological females. The measure ensures that girls and women compete on a level playing field based on biological sex, protecting opportunities in scholarships, competition, and athletic advancement. Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it targets transgender athletes and is unnecessary, but supporters maintain it upholds the intent of Title IX and safeguards equal opportunities for female athletes. CPAC supports this bill as a vital protection of women's sports integrity and a rejection of radical gender ideology in state policy. The House passed the bill 67-66.

This bill strengthens protections for infants who survive attempted abortions by requiring medical professionals to provide the same standard of care given to any newborn at the same gestational age. By ensuring that every child born alive receives immediate medical attention, the measure upholds the sanctity of life and reinforces medical accountability. Democrats opposed the bill, claiming existing law already provides such safeguards, but supporters argue it closes loopholes and affirms Minnesota's moral obligation to protect vulnerable infants. CPAC supports this bill as a commonsense pro-life measure that defends human dignity and the rights of every newborn. The House passed the bill 67-66 but it was not taken up by the Senate.