About Jim.
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Every day, I am reminded of how blessed I am to represent the amazing people of Senate District 35. In these challenging times, making a positive difference in the lives of Minnesotans continues to guide my work.
As we approach the tail end of summer, I want to share an update on my efforts. You may be wondering - what’s Senator Abeler been up to? Well, here is an overview of my recent work in St. Paul for our communities.
This year brought practical wins for SD 35, including funding for the Anoka Dam and Hwy 610/East River Road, a bipartisan bill investing in roads, bridges, and clean water, and streamlined permitting to cut red tape. Outdoor access also expanded with free licenses for disabled veterans and more local control over hunting. These are common-sense improvements that keep our communities strong.
I also continued my work to protect seniors, people with disabilities, and their families. I stopped a $460 million human services cost shift that would have driven up property taxes, secured full funding for 50 new mental health beds at Anoka-Metro, and cut red tape to make services easier to access. I’ll keep fighting for the Minnesotans who depend on us most.
Education presented both opportunities and challenges this session. In coordination with Anoka-Hennepin District 11 and through my legislation, schools can now donate used textbooks instead of sending them to the dump. Funding for charter and private schools was protected, and long-serving teachers gained the ability to retire with full benefits. At the same time, declining enrollment and unfunded mandates continue to strain budgets, so I will keep advocating for flexibility and support to put students first.
Additionally, I worked across the aisle to pass legislation to refocus the E-bike program on low-income individuals with disabilities. I look forward to the positive impact it will have on mobility, independence, and access to opportunity. It is a meaningful step toward a more inclusive transportation policy.
As I have been out in the community this summer, I’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you at local events and neighborhood gatherings. Your stories remind me why this work matters and keep me focused on delivering results that make a real difference. I’m grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me and look forward to all we can accomplish together.
If you’d like to read more about what I’ve been working on, read the complete 2025 session wrap-up here.
