April 25th, 2025 – Legislative Update

Dear Friends,

Now that lawmakers have returned from the Easter/Passover break, budget bills within specific areas of state government are being brought to the House floor for a full debate. The Senate is going through a similar process, and once both bodies have approved a bill, an equal number of representatives and senators will meet in a conference committee to construct a compromise bill that can be approved by both legislative bodies.

OMNIBUS AGRICULURE FINANCE PROPOSAL APPROVED IN HOUSE

The first budget bill out of the gate in the House was the ag finance plan, and it was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support. This was no surprise, as ag finance is traditionally one of the few spending bills that lean towards the non-controversial side.

In addition to funding rural development initiatives and programs utilized by farmers, the House plan also rejected a costly mandate on food manufacturers and grocers and refused all fee increases the governor’s administration had proposed.

PUBLIC SAFETY/JUDICIARY FINANCE PLAN RECEIVES DEBATE

Legislation that funds programs relating to Minnesota’s public safety and court needs was also scheduled for debate on Friday. As I send this a final vote on the proposal has not been taken, but considering the plan was agreed to by a Republican and Democrat co-chair of the committee, passage is expected. 

Some of the highlights include increased penalties for first degree sex trafficking and arson, assaulting a jail deputy, and dealing fentanyl, and prioritized funding for police and first responders.

FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SIPHONING STATE DOLLARS FROM THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST

This week, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed enrollment numbers and costs associated with the head-scratching decision to provide free health insurance to illegal immigrants in Minnesota. The totals are staggering.

Two years ago, an all-Democrat led legislature and Governor Walz approved a law allowing illegal immigrants to receive free Minnesota-Care health insurance coverage, paid for by the taxpayers of Minnesota. At that time, they estimated 7,700 applicants would apply for the program over four years with a cost of $196 million. Less than two years in, the program has more than doubled. More than 17,000 have already signed up, costing taxpayers $550 million plus – and those numbers are growing.

Minnesota is facing a massive $6 billion budget deficit. Our governor is proposing significant cuts to nursing homes, schools, disabled Minnesotans, and more while taxpayers are being forced to provide free, top-tier health insurance to illegal immigrants. This is not right, nor is it fair to Minnesota residents. This health insurance program is being prioritized over Minnesotans who deserve and need critical core services.

This issue is the main sticking point in House negotiations for the Health Committee. Democrats are insisting that Minnesota taxpayers provide $550 million plus to prioritize benefits for those who have broken federal immigration laws. This is coming at the direct expense of services that Minnesotans rely on, including funding for ambulance services, hospitals, seniors, and other critical health care programs – vital health services Minnesotans rely on.