Capitol Letter for April 4

The SAVE Act has been placed on the agenda for the US House Committee on Rules Monday, April 7. While delays are possible, this means that it could be scheduled for a floor vote as early as later that same week. If you need more talking points when contacting your Representative, University of St Thomas Law Professor Virgil Wiebe published a recent paper which “concludes that fears of noncitizen voting in Minnesota are unjustified.” Under these fears, the SAVE Act would drastically harm voters, impact counties and upend voter registration as we know it. We must Take Action now!

FILED: League of Women Voters Education Fund v. Trump - Read the statement from LWV on why they are joining with voting rights groups to challenge Trump’s Recent Anti-Voter Executive Order.

Hands Off! Saturday, April 5 - Join a rally near you! LWV is a national partner and shared some answers to our Nonpartisanship Questions when participating in this action. Show up to be part of a massive, visible, national rejection to the unprecedented attacks on our democracy.

LWVMN Advocacy at the State Capitol: The MN Equal Rights Amendment got a hearing in the House State Government Committee on April 3 (see below), and LWVMN submitted Testimony in Support along with many of our coalition partners. If you need a reminder about the ERA’s importance, please read ERA MN Founder Betty Folliard’s commentary in the MN Star Tribune about why We need an Equal Rights Amendment more than ever.

Save the PCR: Surprisingly, Clean Elections Minnesota Board Member Dane Smith shared that the Governor’s recent budget proposal eliminates the Political Contribution Refund Program (PCR). Another one of our trusted partners, We Choose Us has an action alert to easily send a message to the Governor’s office to save this popular and bipartisan program.

Please continue reading for reporting from the MN Capitol and news covering federal actions.

Copyright Minnesota House of Representatives

Observer Reports from the State Capitol

LWVMN Observer & Lobby Corps Member Molly Snuggerud
Chaired by Sen. Boldon while Chair Sen. Wiklund presented SF2669 to the Committee, the bill was introduced on 3/17/2025.
Brief description: SF2669 is for a revises funding to the MN Department of Health (MDH) and Dept. of Human Services (DHS) for years 2026-2029. There were many letters of testimony submitted from professional health agencies in support and opposition of certain items.
Some of the many budget items include:
1. raising fees for health maintenance organizations, well management services, increased funding for infectious disease prevention, and more
2. reductions to a number of public health grants including infrastructure, health care-based services scholarships and loans, and cannabis programming.
The HHS committee divided up the MDH portion and DHS portions of the bill for review and discussion - MDH A3 amendment proposed regarding governor’s budget proposal.
MDH Deputy Commissioner Wendy Underwood shared the revised provisions budget. This included reductions to local public health grant-funded projects including infrastructure, emergency preparedness and response services, health care-based services scholarships and loans, and cannabis programming. See handout with revisions listed.
She primarily addressed Tuesday’s federal order (also mentioned by Sen. Abeler at the beginning of the meeting) re: the immediate cancellation of CDC grants of $226 million to MN local public health, tribal health and non-profits, plus the dismissal of 200 MDH employees. This is 25% of MDH current fiscal year funding. She said that they are working the best they can to address this order. This is a complicated task and impacts many people and program recipients. The timing to complete this order within 30 days feels unrealistic. They will keep the Chair of this HHS committee apprised of our progress.
Discussion: Sen. Port: what are these specific CDC funded programs being cut?
Dep. Com. Underwood: funding started during COVID pandemic to fill gaps in public health infrastructure including free vaccine clinics, data collection and analysis, etc. Public health and infectious disease prevention and lab programming are 90-100% federally funded as compared to the total MDH budget which is 50%.
Sen. Port: I am very concerned about these federal cuts. We learned during the pandemic we lacked public health infrastructure, and now we have so many pending infectious diseases threatening our community. These federal cuts are irresponsible and cruel. Removing access to healthcare is not the answer.
Dep. Com. Underwood: no layoff notices have been shared, yet. We have to consider what positions are fully vs. partially CDC grant funded, etc. Layoffs are expensive. We have to consider how we cover 6 months unemployment, insurance benefits, etc.
Sen. Abeler: How much of this money flows to the counties?
Dep. Com. Underwood: We’re pulling the numbers. Currently $50 million have been distributed, still totaling.
Sen. Abeler: So most have received grant funding and don’t need to return it?
Dep. Com. Underwood: No. Any services incurred up to March 24 (day we were notified by feds) has to be invoiced within 30 days.
Sen. Abeler: This is not how to do business. You don’t end contracts like this. I’ve been concerned about this budget since 2011, and will write letter expressing concerns.
Sen. Mann: What does this mean for our public health infrastructure?
Dep. Com.: It’s significant. Since this is an immediate order, all PH work related to these grants were ordered to cease work. So vaccine clinics are canceled, etc.
Sen Mann: This is a destruction of public health, people are going to die. It’s already happening.
Sen. Abeler: Re: your budget reduction provisions. I disapprove, especially of the cannabis related ones. I plan to write more letters. This is a hard time. We will get through it like 2011. We need to prioritize our state’s essential needs. Thank you for the hard work.
Sen. Utke: When are we getting into the parts of the bill? Today?
Sen. Wiklund: no verbal testimonies today, but many submitted written testimonies. DHS rep will present first.
Sen Utke: question for MDH. There are lots of increased fees. What do anticipate the increased revenue of those to be?
MDH Legislative Budget Director Brendan Wright: Those are direct costs to be covered, I will have to get back to you.
Sen. Utke: I see these as a tax increase, I’d appreciate the information. Re: well management services, I see the proposal for a signifcant cost increase, nothing’s been done since 2017. Why the huge jump vs. smaller incremental increases?
MDH Legislative Budget Director Wright: it’s time to make up for the cost of services.
Sen. Utke: Is this a new priority? Geothermal technology has been part of governor’s 2040 plan for a long time.
MDH Legislative Budget Director Brendan Wright: it’s that, and new directives and increased costs to address services and programming costs.
Sen Utke: it’s a 40% increase. That’s a lot. Curious why government agencies haven’t paid for well services while all private have.
MDH Environmental Health Division Director Tom Hogan: in 2017 government agencies legislated to not pay well fees, not sure why that occurred.
Sen Utke: I think it’s fair to ask government to pay fees, too, especially while fees for nursing homes, other entities are also increasing. Doesn’t seem fair.
Sen Lieske: Similar concerns about fees. Healthcare providers have increased fees proposed but less reimbursement. We’re supposed to reduce the cost of healthcare, this doesn’t. Why would we go forward with this?
Sen Wiklund: This is the challenge. New fees are always challenged, however cost of services continues to rise. Lack of fee increases can ultimately cost people the ability to access services. The change fee pages have descriptions about the reasons why these are proposed. The current budget does not cover increased rates, so we need to add other resources.
Sen Boldon: Thanks to MDH. Sorry to see these federal decisions that are cruel and have human impacts for so many people. This makes all of us less safe and is wrong.
Sen Wiklund: This is a very sobering time. The HHS budget doesn’t take into consideration all these federal impacts. The impact to tribal health also needs to be recognized. It’s devastating.
A3 Amendment: vote taken, all voted in favor.
Sen. Boldon: Let’s move on to DHS part of bill.
DHS Budget Director, Elyse Bailey: These are the revisions to the original budget you heard two weeks ago. This is based on the February forecast. Three key changes:
- Pharmacy carveout: removes the pharmacy benefit from managed care contracts, to be administered through a sole administrator. Originally scheduled for Jan. 1 changed to July 1, 2026 based on repricing timeline being too fast. The changes to financing details, from current process of payments in the future to fee for services payments, needed more time to sort out. See change sheet. Will be a cost savings. Does not impact Medicare, just Medical Assistance.
- Increased surcharge fee on Health Maintenance Organizations: fixed error to now include corresponding increase in managed care payments. Net result is less savings.
- Housing stabilization services proposal: had to align the federal law (already meeting this) with the MN state law, which makes more people eligible for assistance. This is a budget neutral change.
Discussion Sen. Abeler: EIDBI (Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention) background studies are a big concern for me. Are these impacted by this revision or the federal changes?
DHS Budget Dir. Bailey: the federal CDC cuts include 6 of our DHS grants. Two were scheduled to end this month. The other four were scheduled to expire in Sept. 2025, equal $24 million in eliminated funding, with over 100 contracts, many were already encumbered. These include mental health grants, COVID mitigation and substance use prevention.
Sen Boldon: What does that mean for MN? Mental health and substance use care?
DHS Budget Dir. Bailey: We’re trying to figure out what this means across 100 grantees and its impact, if other funding sources will support some of that work. We’ll report back.
Sen. Wiklund: This bill will be laid over for possible inclusion in future omnibus bill
Analysis: The A3 amendment was passed. But this week's new federal CDC grant cancellations created a very gloomy mood. The MDH and DHS staff are frantically trying to sort out what it means for all their programs and agencies. There are concerns about tax payers having more fees and healthcare costs continuing to rise.
LWVMN Observer & Lobby Corps Member Sherry Hood
SF 1690 (Author Robert Kupec, DFL - Moorhead) was presented to the Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee. This bill is about electronic waste and plans to address recovery of it before it hits landfills or incinerators. Manufacturers will be assessed a small fee for the cost of collecting and recycling this e-waste. Only 24% gets recycled currently and that equals $3.2 billion in lost materials. Instead of new mining for these metals or depending on other nations for supplying them, recovery of these can be achieved by effectively retrieving them before they hit landfills and obtaining through more identifiable free electronic waste facilities in the state. Currently, costs to greater MN counties are high in order to collect and truck to the Twin Cities’ area. As reported in earlier Observer Reports, lithium batteries can start fires in landfills or on trucks hauling them, creating skyrocketing insurance costs and injury to operators.
There were 13 testifiers presenting in favor of or against the bill, from representatives of the MPCA, recycling companies and associations who were for the bill; and representatives from the MN Chamber of Commerce, retailers’ and technology associations who were against. Those opposing objected to the broad range of products contained in the bill…they said anything that has a cord attached. They are concerned with the scale and complexity of the bill.
Senator Nick Frentz (DFL - North Mankato) said the topic is not going away. He said there is a little more work to do. There were too many in opposition to move ahead. He said this will be addressed again.
The committee was not ready to vote on the bill and it was laid over.
LWVMN Supports this bill based on our Waste Management position.
LWVMN Observer & Lobby Corps Member Cathy Thom
HF1143 (Howard) - Greater Minnesota housing infrastructure program funding provided, and money appropriated. (Bill will be used as a backup vehicle, testimony will not be taken.) The bill was re-referred to Ways and Means without discussion.
HF1548 (Kozlowski) - Adds Housing and Redevelopment Authorities to the definition of local governments, so that they can establish housing trust funds. This is especially helpful to rural authorities that operate within multiple counties.
TESTIFIER: Melissa Taphorn - Executive Director, Washington County CDA - Testified in favor of the bill. She stated that housing trust funds are the best, most effective ways to build affordable housing because they receive state matching funds. HRAs are currently locked out of this option because it is limited to currently defined local government definitions. They can receive trust funds from local governments, but that is cumbersome when they operate across county lines. Making them their own local entity allows them to tap trust fund revenues on their own. This is important for partnering with CDAs, which are often limited to dealing within cities and counties and their budgets when they develop housing projects. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF1340 (Lee, F) - Use of housing infrastructure bonds allowed on adaptive reuse to develop supportive housing and permanent housing for households at or below 50 percent of the area median income. Rep. Lee stated that this bill came out of the desire to repurpose vacant school buildings for different uses. This is especially pertinent to Minneapolis, which has many empty school buildings.
MEMBER DISCUSSION: Rep. Jim Nash (R - Waconia) - Commented that this is an interesting approach that is worth exploring. School buildings are usually well built and easy to remodel. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF2549 (Lee, K) - Housing infrastructure bonds authorized, and $44.6 million appropriated. It would finance over 1000 housing units, will be built with union labor and have a geothermal heating/cooling system.
TESTIFIERS: Todd Hurley - President and CEO, St Paul Port Authority. The property lies in east St Paul, on 24 acres of a former golf course. The St Paul PA is serving as the developer for the project. There are federal funds that have been allocated to the project, and construction has begun within the industrial part of the site. The bill would allocate the last 8% of the cost of the project. It is mixed use, high quality, affordable housing. Some for seniors, some for ownership. Other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity have pledged assistance to this project. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF1673 (Howard) - Accessible Housing Task Force established, reports required, and money appropriated. The bill seeks to address the severe shortage of affordable housing that is accessible for Minnesotans with disabilities. It will bring together people from across the state to study how best to solve the shortage.
TESTIFIERS: Judy Moe - Director of the Richfield Disability Advocacy Partnership - Testified about the severe shortage of affordable housing for people across the spectrum of disabilities - children, adults, the elderly who wish to age in a more independent setting than a nursing home. Rental units are especially in short supply. Ms. Moe and her adult daughter Raven, who is confined to a wheelchair, were homeless for 4 months recently because their lease was not renewed. Sometimes landlords even bully tenants with disabilities to move out before their leases are up. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF2740 (Howard) - Report on the affordable housing industry required, maximum compliance period for certain low-income tax credit commitment requirements set, commissioner of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency required to identify avenues for potential regulatory relief to affordable housing providers, and money appropriated. Many nonprofits work to provide affordable housing, but they are a fraying coalition as insurance, security, and staffing costs increase and decreased revenues. It is affecting existing units as well as the building of new ones. The bill was drawn up based on the recommendations of a task force that has completed its work. It would require the tracking of certain housing market data, require more collaboration between cities and nonprofit providers to assist distressed properties, and require the creation of a policy framework moving forward to stabilize affordable housing supply. Funding is appropriated to help stabilize some targeted severely distressed housing units.
TESTIFIERS: Chris LaTondresse - CEO, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative - Beacon is one of the largest providers of affordable housing units in Minnesota. Surging costs ($1800/per unit on average compared to pre-pandemic markets) and declining revenues are putting the supply of existing properties in danger and slowing down the building of new ones. He pointed out that the bill also requires the inclusion of homelessness prevention and solutions via affordable housing stabilization.
MEMBER DISCUSSION: Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL - Minneapolis) - Inquired about the balance between revitalizing the properties to be self-sustaining so that they would not have to be reliant on state funding indefinitely. Rep. Howard replied that ongoing funding remains necessary, but policy reforms will help many properties to cash flow well enough to sustain themselves without state aid. Rep. Agbaje stated the need to make sure that this funding actually does feel for affected residents that it is benefitting them. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF2507 (Momanyi-Hiltsley) - African American workforce and affordable homeownership development program established, and money appropriated. The gap in home ownership is widest for African Americans. Home ownership is key to the building of generational wealth - but only 28% of African American Minnesotans own their homes. Rental properties in African American communities in MN often also have some of the worst quality, affordable rental unit options in the state. The creation of an African American Community Development organization to make home ownership more achievable for more Black Minnesotans.
TESTIFIERS: Neeita Presley - Mpls-St Paul NAACP - Originally from Rondo neighborhood, Ms. Presley testified that although there are development nonprofits that serve Black residents, there are currently none that are run by and for the Black community itself. Investing this way in affordable housing in Black communities also will help improve public safety and community cohesion and stability.
MEMBER DISCUSSION: Rep. Kozlowski (DFL) - Reminded the committee about former redlining of African Americans out of many neighborhoods for decades, and they are still holding Black Minnesotans today. Rep. Kozlowski stated strong support for the bill. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF2461 (Norris - R - Blaine) - Housing development fund money transferred, and money appropriated for the manufactured home down payment assistance program and the manufactured home park cooperative purchase program. The bill will provide more flexibility to preserve the long-term stability of one of Minnesota's largest source of affordable homes. The bill provides equitable access to mortgage finance their manufactured homes, to purchase the land that their homes stand on, and for residents to purchase the entire home park to form a cooperative park association.
TESTIFIERS: Emily Stewart - North Country Cooperative Foundation - Testified that although manufactured homes cost half that of regular standing homes, they are in peril as a stable housing source because the homeowner or renter does not always own the land that their home sits on. Investment groups are buying up mobile home parks and increasing rents that make the park less affordable. The bill will help to stabilize more manufactured home communities across the state. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
HF2381 (Norris) - Standards for rent and utility payments, fees, and charges in manufactured home park provided; safety inspections required; sale of manufactured home parks provisions modified; and penalties modified. Rep. Norris stated that manufactured housing in MN is "in crisis." Home park owners are increasingly being found to provide bad conditions, high rents, and lack of investment. The problem is increasing as more home parks are purchased by investors rather than being owned by local landlords or the residents of the park. Because manufactured homeowners often don't own the land on which their home stands, they are caught with a home they can't afford to live in but also can't afford to move that home from the land it sits on. The bill would clarify rules that landlords must abide by and make it easier for residents to collectively purchase their own parks via a resident cooperative.
TESTIFIERS: Resident of and President, Park Plaza Cooperative in Fridley - Told the story of how her park became resident-owned, what they have learned and the improvements that they have made, and how much better living there has become, how rents have stabilized even as conditions increased, and about the increase in the value of their properties due to better conditions. They were even able to build a community center and a storm shelter that can withstand an F5 tornado. Matthew Spellman - Minnesota Realtors Association - Testified in opposition to the bill largely due to the rent controls it would impose on manufactured home parks. He also pointed out that the bill would limit the ability of park owners to sell their property without 60 days' notice, and the residents must be allowed first option to buy the park from the park owner, which creates delays and limits options. Sammi Silver - Manufactured home park resident and professional real estate broker. Testified about how much her rent has increased over the past several years, even though it only includes water, sewer, and street plowing. Residents must pay for repairs to their own units. Lot rent increases are excessive, especially with corporate park owners, and their profits are increasing at the expense of residents. Dave Czech - Tri-Park Investments - Testified against rent justification and caps, and also about onerous safety requirements, especially as they refer to trees - storms often damage trees that can be trimmed or cut down easily by landlords rather than hiring a professional tree service, which would be required in many cases by the bill. It also allows the resident to judge when things need to be repaired. Michelle - Real estate broker and owner/manager of Mike Ives Realty - owns several home parks in the state. Testified against the bill, particularly in regard to its imposition of statewide rent control. It does not make sense when rent increases can vary across the state since they are driven largely by property taxes, vendor fees, and housing market conditions in the area. Such rent controls would force her to cut back on improvements and maintenance within her parks. She suggested a different solution to creating more affordable housing rather than harming those who own current forms of it. Mark Lambert - Park Community owner of Summit Management LLC - Testified in opposition to the bill. Took issue with the way that the cooperative boards and first right of refusal of purchase for resident cooperatives would be set up. He stated that the entire process is complex and skewed too far towards residents. He asked where the rules are for the residential cooperative side when trying to buy the park from a current owner. Mark Bruner - Manufactured Modular Home Association of MN - Testified in opposition to the bill. Representing the builders of manufactured homes. Opposed rent controls, imposing property rights, onerous safety regulations (arborist requirement). He said that they did support reducing late rent fees and further clarification of costs paid by residents for damages they caused. He cited the example of rent controls in St Paul slowing development there - statewide rent controls on manufactured homes could stop their development across the state. Gwen Elliot - resident at a Blaine home park. When she moved in, her rent was affordable until an out-of-state company bought the park for $32 million, twice its market value, and her rent more than doubled as a result. New people are paying three times what her original rent was, and lawn service has become mandated for all residents to pay. She had to return to the work force despite being retired in order to afford the lot rent. Christine Kelly - Home park resident - Testified that there must be a solution for the increases in rents, and how it especially harms retirees on fixed incomes, especially when these large companies buy the parks and greatly increase the lot rents. Stated that there is a large portion of home park residents who are retirees, and the largest population increasing in homelessness if the elderly. She said that if park owners don't like the 3% increase cap, then they need to come to the table to find another solution to the affordability problem.
MEMBER DISCUSSION: Rep. Wayne Johnson proposed an A5 Amendment that would eliminate the requirement for park owners to explain why they are increasing rents. The amendment failed on a voice vote. Rep. Johnson introduced an A6 Amendment that would remove the requirement for the 60-day notice to allow for right of first refusal to park residents to buy the park. The amendment failed via voice vote. Rep. Johnson proposed Amendment A8 that would tie the price cap to the CPI rather than fixing it at 3%. This would put caps between 5% - 9% given data from the past several years. Rep. Norris stated that rent controls need to be standardized so that residents can better budget for increases and recommended a no vote. The amendment failed via a voice vote. Rep. Andrew Myers (R - Tonka Bay) - Asked what laws are already on the books in regard to manufactured housing park owners who are "bad actors." Rep. Norris replied that there are existing laws, but there are no effective enforcement mechanisms. This bill clarifies it by defining "reasonable rent increases," for instance. Another example was that notices of sale without a defined period of 60-75 days made things too inconsistent, with some park owners moving to sell to other parties too quickly, before park residents can form a cooperative and to exercise the option to collectively purchase it themselves. Rep. Myers stated that he would have liked the Attorney General to address some of these abuses rather than trying to legislate so much of it. Rep. Kair Rehraurer (DFL - Coon Rapids) - Said that arborists will do free consultations. She also stated that when a park owner is literally selling the land under a homeowner's feet, they should be allowed a reasonable amount of time to be able to purchase that land first. Rep. Nash stated that property rights matter, and the park landowner's rights seem to be diminished too much in favor of the home building owner, so he would oppose the bill as written. Rep. Spencer Igo (R) - Stated that we live in a time when costs are rising quickly, and rent control is not the proper tool to solve this issue. Rep. Howard stated support for the bill, but noted that based on the discussion that it still needed work, and so recommended that it be laid over rather than coming to a vote in committee today. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
LWVUS position on Housing Supply (over 1 full page) states: "Government at all levels must make available sufficient funds for housing-assistance programs. When families or individuals cannot afford decent housing, government should provide assistance in the form of income and/or subsidized housing."
LWVMN Observer & Lobby Corps Member Amy Caucutt
ERA Bill - HF501 (Finke) - Chair Klevorn announced that the bill would be laid over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. Since this bill had zero GOP support last year in the House, it is no doubt dead in a 50-50 divide this session. According to Betty Folliard, long time ERA proponent and organizer, the chair told the author that she would allow just 2 speakers on each side, and the author could choose the 2 she favored: Gene Martinez of ARC, and Tenzin Choesang of the Asian American Organization Project. Speaking in opposition were Renee Carlson, of True North Legal and Rebecca Delahunt of the Family Council. The chair then asked if there were members of the public wishing to speak. Karen Miller introduced self as mother of 6 and spoke against. Then the chair asked Betty Folliard if she also wished to speak. In spite of no prepared remarks, she spoke in favor of fairness, freedom, and equality...allowing the voters to decide if MN wants to add these MN values to the MN constitution.
Rep. Jones (DFL) responded to a testifier who had said that it would be unconstitutional to call out specific groups; by saying we do this, and it is needed in our courts. Rep. Davis (GOP) was upset that the language did not include a religious perspective. Author responded that already in MN Constitution is the strongest religious protection in the country. Davis went on to say he thinks this bill is an attack on religious freedom and pre-born children. Rep. Howard (DFL) said we used to hear this language was not needed but given what is coming out of federal government, we know that is not true. To GOP members he said, if you are so sure of your exclusionary view, let the people decide. Rep Joy (GOP) asked if same bill as last year? Answer was "yes" He went on to compare this to the choosing of a new state flag which should have gone to the people, he said, but didn't. Rep Bahner (DFL) said we are talking about fundamental human rights, hardly equivalent to a state flag. She quoted both justice Scalia (who had said that the constitution does not encourage nor prohibit discrimination against women), and also Justice Ginsburg who said women do not need more rights than men, only that: “our brethren take their foot off our neck,". Rep Kraft (DFL) refuted the statistics about trans persons in prison being sexual predators. He said they are 9 times more likely to be victims. Rep Nash (GOP) said he "took offense at the rant of Rep Howard. When chair called him on that language, Rep. Nash then complained that he does not "talk over" Chair Klevorn when he is chairing the committee (the committees in the House are led by rotating co-chairs from both parties).
Rep Finke summed up her bill and thanked the committee for its time, noting she understands this bill will NOT pass this year. However, "the reality of what we are doing is not hidden. we are trying to protect communities that need it. I don't begrudge other's values, and I am not trying to change any opinions. While religious freedoms are already protected, it is currently LEGAL and protected to discriminate against my community and others. My community is being crushed by the Federal government which is trying to eradicate our very existence. (To GOP members) Even your members know you are wrong, and so will history"
- The language that would appear on the 2026 general election statewide ballot if passed would read: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to say that all persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state, and shall not be discriminated against on account of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex, including pregnancy, gender, and sexual orientation?"
LWVMN Observer & Lobby Corps Member Cathy Thom
SF 2298 (Port - DFL - Burnsville) - Minnesota Housing Finance Agency budget establishment and appropriation. This bill is the vehicle for the Housing and Homelessness Prevention omnibus. The bill has broad bipartisan support because there is broad agreement that there is housing crisis across the state, where homeownership is increasingly out of reach for more and more Minnesotans due to high costs and inadequate supply, especially of certain types and within certain price points. Housing costs will continue to rise with new tariffs being levied on things like lumber, concrete, copper, and steel. Senator Port called the bill "inadequate," but the "best we could do for now." She thanked everyone for their bipartisan work and support on the bill.
MEMBER DISCUSSION: Senator Zaynab Mohamed (DFL - Minneapolis) - Thanked Senator Port for fighting for a larger budget target and for putting together the bill.
Senator Eric Lucero (R - St Michael) - as the GOP Minority Lead on the committee, Senator Lucero stated that the bill will not solve the problem of housing costs and homelessness, but it is a good start.
The bill passed on a unanimous voice vote to be referred to its next required committee.
LWV Position on Fair Housing.