County board chastises local state rep for skipping legislative session

At their last meeting, Benton County commissioners left no question about where they stand on the boycott of the 2025 legislative session by DFL members of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

“I am appalled by what is going on with the legislature right now,” said Benton County Commissioner Jared Gapinski. “When one side, I don’t care if it’s red, blue, white, whatever it is. I would be going this way, no matter which side was doing it, because it’s that important. “

The central Minnesota county board unanimously passed Gapinski’s resolution calling on House members to get back to work in St. Paul. While two local GOP representatives were included in the resolution, the St. Cloud Times notes it was clearly aimed at the local DFL representative who’s skipped out on his legislative duties so far this session.

Benton County is taking a stand against Minnesota Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, and his DFL colleagues, who aren’t attending Minnesota House of Representatives meetings. Wolgamott told the St. Cloud Times he is joining the DFL boycott until a shared powers agreement is made between the two political parties.

The county board on Tuesday approved the resolution scolding Wolgamott for his absence, saying his absence “deprives Benton County residents of their voice in critical early legislative deliberations.”

House Republicans hold a one-vote 67-66 majority in the House, following the invalidation of the election of a DFL candidate who didn’t live in the Roseville district he ran in. GOP members convened the House as required by law on January 14. But DFL members vow to stay away from the capitol until there’s a special election to fill the Roseville seat in March, infuriating some Benton County commissioners.

“I don’t care what side it is. It’s taxpayer dollars that are paying their wages,” said Benton County Commissioner Pam Benoit. “If they’re not going to show up to work, that’s a digrace. It’s just wrong.”

For his part, Wolgamott insisted he’s still meeting with constituents, even as he refuses to show up at the legislature.

“There’s still work to be done while I’m using the tactic of denying a quorum, and I still have to work every day,” Wolgamott previously said. “Whether it’s in St. Cloud or in St. Paul, I still want to work for the people that I represent.”

But members of the Benton County Board aren’t buying it. They see the chance for a bonding bill and other priorities slipping away.

“At the end of the day, they need to be there,” said Gapinski. “It’s not just the local person, it’s the whole party that has chosen not be there.”