Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’re finding joy in the holiday season and are easing into the frigid temperatures that seemed to show up quite suddenly. Here’s an update from the State Capitol.
Budget Forecast
Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget announced the November Budget and Economic Forecast. Currently, we remain in a strong position, ending the last biennium with a nearly $5 billion surplus, having a projected $2.5 billion surplus in the current biennium, maintaining a healthy budget reserve of almost $4 billion, and earning a AAA bond rating thanks to responsible DFL budgeting. Looking ahead though, inflation driven by Donald Trump’s chaotic economy makes our long-term fiscal outlook less clear. The skyrocketing health care costs driven by corporate greed that families saw during last month’s open enrollment period are now putting real pressure on the state budget as well. Meanwhile, families continue to face an affordability crisis that Trump isn’t only failing to solve, but is outright dismissing.
Minnesota Republicans continue to stand by Trump and defend the broken, rigged status quo that puts billionaires first instead of standing with the workers and families they represent. DFLers are charting a different course. We’re fighting to make sure middle-class Minnesotans can afford essentials like health care, child care, housing, and prescription drugs. We’re focused on building an economy where hard work is rewarded, families can get ahead, and communities can thrive.
I appeared on KSTP’s At Issue this past weekend to discuss the budget outlook and other issues as we approach the 2026 session in February. You can watch the segment here starting at 9:40 into the video.
Paid Leave is Almost Here!
I want to share an important update on one of the biggest accomplishments DFLers have delivered at the Capitol for working families in recent years: Minnesota’s new Paid Family & Medical Leave program. The U.S. is the only developed nation without guaranteed paid leave, forcing many workers to choose between a paycheck and caring for a new child, an aging parent, or their own health. Starting January 1, 2026, that changes in Minnesota.
Paid Leave provides up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave for your own serious health condition and up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child or a loved one. Workers can use up to 20 weeks total if they need both. A short explainer video is available here:
The program is funded through a small premium, split in most cases between the employer and the worker. In advance of the launch, state officials have worked closely with businesses statewide, incorporating their feedback. The law will level the playing field for small businesses that for years have wanted to offer paid leave to better compete for talent with big companies, but haven’t been able to offer the benefit on their own in a way that makes sense.
For many Minnesotans, missing even one paycheck can mean financial peril, especially in today’s affordability crisis. Paid Leave will provide critical stability so people can care for themselves and their families without jeopardizing their economic security.
This program has been years in the making, and I’m thrilled for Minnesota families to finally gain this peace of mind. As we get closer to launch, you can find all available resources at PL.MN.GOV. DEED has also released specialized toolkits for workers and employers.
Vile Attacks on Our Neighbors
President Trump’s dehumanizing language is repulsive, and last week, he took it to new lows by referring to our Somali neighbors, some of my colleagues in the legislature, and even our Member of Congress as “garbage.” Just as troubling, when Republican state leaders were given a clear opportunity to condemn these ugly remarks at the press briefing for the budget forecast, every one of them refused. At a moment when our communities are being targeted with xenophobic and racist rhetoric from the White House, silence is complicity. This is a basic moral test, and it’s not a complicated one. We must reject rhetoric that puts Minnesotans in danger, and we must stand up for our neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and friends.
You can watch my full comments here.
How Are Rising Health Care Prices Impacting You and Your Family?
Health care prices keep climbing in Minnesota, and working families are feeling the pinch. President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have eliminated key tax credits that helped lower private-market insurance costs. Now, premiums are projected to jump by up to 50% next year, with farmers, small business owners, and older Minnesotans facing the steepest increases. The GOP also cut Medicaid for more than 140,000 Minnesotans, including some of our most vulnerable neighbors. These decisions mean fewer people can get the care they need, more strain on hospitals, and ultimately higher costs for everyone. The worst part? Republicans are making these cruel cuts so they can give billionaires and large corporations new tax breaks.
DFLers at the Capitol are working to bring down health care costs, and part of that effort is listening to Minnesotans directly. Please take a moment to share how rising health care costs are affecting you and your family by completing our short survey.
As prices for food, energy, child care, and housing continue to rise, soaring health care costs and reduced coverage are making the affordability crisis even tougher for working families. Your experiences will help guide our work in Saint Paul to enact real solutions to fix our broken system and make care more affordable.
Please continue to be in touch about the issues that matter to you. It’s an honor to serve you at the State Capitol. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jamie Long
DFL Floor Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives