Dear Neighbors,
There are two weeks remaining in the 2026 legislative session. House DFLers are working hard to respond to the challenges our communities are facing. By the nature of a tied House, with every bill requiring bipartisan support to pass, the path isn’t always easy. The work is important, though, and we know Minnesotans expect results, not gridlock.
Minnesotans are asking us to meet this moment and take bold action, including steps to prevent gun violence. So far, Republicans have blocked proposals every step of the way to get weapons of war off the streets, including banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. We’re also still looking to help communities recover from the damage of Operation Metro Surge. ICE agents’ occupation of our state damaged our economy, disrupted many kids’ education, and trampled over people’s constitutional rights – including those with lawful status. Democrats at the Capitol will use all the time remaining to solve problems and help put our state on the path of future success.
Last week, Three Rivers Park District brought some animals to the Capitol, including adorable lambs. As you can tell from my colleague Rep. Andy Smith from Rochester, this is a woolly exciting day every session!
Saving Our Hospitals & Making Life Affordable
One of the biggest struggles we’re hearing about from Minnesotans is the rising cost of health care and the fragile state of our health care system. Through sweeping Medicaid cuts from the Trump administration, 140,000 Minnesotans are set to lose coverage, including some of our most vulnerable. Now comes another $91 million in deferred Medicaid payments to Minnesota, which is on top of $260 million withheld earlier this year. Emergency rooms can’t turn away people without coverage, so other people with coverage will see their costs continue to rise, too.
These cuts have particularly put our hospitals in a precarious position. Forbes issued a report listing the 400 hospitals around the country on the brink of closure, including seven in Minnesota, most notably Hennepin County Medical Center. It’s critical for lawmakers to develop a bipartisan solution that ensures HCMC can continue serving not just communities like ours, but as a level one trauma center, people from across the region. Without a solution, it isn’t hyperbole to say that people will die as a result.
The high cost of child care is another major barrier to success for families. I recently had the opportunity to visit Pine Pals in Bemidji. Early care and learning centers like that one are integral parts of communities all across the state, but for too long, too many families have struggled to afford care. That's why DFLers are fighting to make early care and learning more affordable, support the dedicated workers who provide these services, and make sure every child has access to a great start in life, no matter where they live. Creating a path to universal child care is an essential part of this conversation at the Capitol. Check out this piece in the Minnesota Reformer outlining the problem.
While billionaires continue to do better and better, DFLers are continuing our focus on reducing the cost of living for everyday expenses like health care and child care, as well as energy, housing, and groceries so all Minnesotans can thrive.
Are Republicans Even Interested in Working?
One of the biggest frustrations at the Capitol is Republicans seeming to be uninterested in doing the work Minnesotans are counting on. The most egregious example was two members leaving the Education Finance Committee – ironically enough, missing a discussion on absenteeism – to go to a bar and drink. In no other job is it acceptable to leave in the middle of the workday to go drinking. This conduct is completely unacceptable, so I filed an Ethics complaint to hold them accountable. While the Ethics committee didn’t advance the complaint, they did reiterate that House members are expected to attend assigned committees unless excused.
We’ve also seen Republicans overwhelmingly vote to adjourn the session early, waste time on a political circus pursuing impeachment of Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison, indicate out loud that their goal is to not “do anything,” and a mass exodus from the Taxes committee to avoid voting on a bill to boost property tax refunds. I hope in these closing days Republicans can change course and demonstrate they’re serious about governing, not political stunts.
Supreme Court Guts Voting Rights
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court took a shameful and dangerous step backward that’s harmful to our democracy. The court gutted Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, one of the last remaining protections against racial gerrymandering. Now, the door is wide open for states to use these schemes to weaken the voices of communities of color by diluting their power in Congress and state legislatures across the country.
Minnesota has a proud history of fighting for civil rights and defending the fundamental right to vote, including Hubert Humphrey’s leadership in passing the Voting Rights Act. Leaders like him took on these fights – at a time when doing so wasn’t a popular position – because they understood every voice deserves to be heard in our democracy. Despite this unfortunate action, DFLers won't stop fighting to protect the fundamental right to vote, stand up for fair representation, and restore the protections that generations of Americans fought so hard to secure.
Share Your Viewpoints in This Survey
I want to hear from you and our neighbors. What matters most to you and your family? What challenges are you facing? What’s going well? Where should our focus be at the State Capitol?
Please take my 2026 Constituent Survey. Approaching the end of the legislative session and looking into the future, as your State Representative, I value your feedback and input as we work to help Minnesotans have a better life. Your voice matters, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective!
Please continue to be in touch if I can ever be of help. It’s an honor to represent you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Rep. Jamie Long
DFL Floor Leader, Minnesota House of Representatives