Dear Neighbors and Friends,
As we enter the last week of the 2025 legislative session, the Minnesota House is working around the clock to finalize crucial budget bills. Our DFL caucus remains steadfast in our commitment to responsible governance that protects our most vulnerable citizens. While difficult decisions will need to be made, I feel strongly we do not need to balance the budget on the backs of students, seniors, Minnesotans with disabilities, or other vulnerable members of our community.
Throughout this session, House DFLers have focused on policies that return power to everyday Minnesotans, not the ultra-wealthy and corporations. We're proud of the bipartisan achievements we've secured on several fronts, demonstrating that good governance transcends party lines when we focus on the needs of all Minnesotans.
Unfortunately, some of our GOP colleagues continue to push divisive policies that would harm Minnesota families while padding the pockets of corporations and millionaires. Let me be clear: the DFL will not compromise on policies that hurt average Minnesotans while making the rich get richer.
As we navigate these final critical days, know that your DFL representatives remain committed to fighting for an economy and a state that works for everyone—not just those at the top.
As former Co-Chair of the House Legislative People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, I was proud to stand alongside my POCI Caucus colleagues to protect our legislative achievements from the 2023-2024 session. As the proud author of the MinnesotaCare Immigrant Inclusion provision, it is crucial that we reject efforts to pit Minnesotans against each other based on immigration status. The program is working. People are signing up and finally getting the care they’ve been denied. This is a sign of success, not failure. Preventive care lowers long-term costs and keeps families healthy. It’s far more effective than emergency-only care, which raises the cost of healthcare for everyone. We should be fighting to expand access to MinnesotaCare for more families, not rolling coverage back.
Watch our press conference here.
House Public Info Articles on House Budgets
As I've shared in previous newsletters, over the past couple of weeks, members of the House have been working to pass several ongoing budget bills. Here are a few articles detailing these budget bills. I'll continue to keep you posted on the last few bills we have on the table.
I want to highlight in the Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development or better known as the ‘Jobs Bill’, Democrats protected landmark victories for working Minnesotans such as paid family & medical leave, earned sick & safe time, workplace safety protections, and fair labor standards for nursing home workers. On the House floor, there was a GOP amendment seeking to disrupt the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board vote process—essentially providing for a veto. This amendment would weaken the process and give power back to corporate entities to stifle workers. Democrats stood with our board and nursing home workers and voted down the amendment. Watch my remarks here.
You can find read more Session Daily articles here.
Paid Family Leave is Coming in 2026
Minnesota is set to become the 13th state with a statewide Paid Leave program. Through collaborative efforts with businesses, individuals, healthcare providers, and citizens across the state, DFL legislators have developed an intuitive and accessible program that works for all Minnesotans. This is one of the programs that we are fighting hard to protect and one in which Republicans would like to water down and provide less protections for workers.
Minnesota Paid Leave Engagement
I have received requests about more information about the paid family medical leave program. To that effect, the "Introduction to Paid Leave" webinar series offers monthly informational sessions through November 2025 to explain the program's key elements and address questions for both employers and employees. The next available session is on June 12, 2025. Find more details on their website here.
Information Session through Wilder Foundation
Hosted by Wilder African American Babies Coalition and Projects in partnership with Minnesota state agencies, community members have the opportunity to learn about the Women's Economic Security Act (WESA) updates and the upcoming 2026 Paid Family Leave Program. These hour-long conversations will provide guidance on supporting expecting families and helping employees access Paid Leave benefits.
Employers, directors, supervisors, and managers are strongly encouraged to attend.
Upcoming dates:
- Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Virtual (Zoom)
- Monday, June 23, 2025 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Virtual (Zoom)
Register: https://aabcprojects.org/training.html
Questions can be directed to Angela Moore Smith at angela.moore-smith@wilder.org.
Graduation Rates Reach All-Time High
Graduation rates have reached a historic high! When we invest in our kids we see results. Minnesota still has a long way to go to return to our nation-leading education outcomes, but this is an encouraging start. I'll continue to invest in our youth and public education, let's keep up this good progress!
Let’s Stay Connected!
I deeply value being in this work to improve lives with you. Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. Please reach out anytime if you need assistance, schedule a meeting or community event, or have questions at rep.esther.agbaje@house.mn.gov or 651-296-8659.
In community,
Rep. Esther Agbaje
Minnesota House of Representatives (59B)
Legislative Assistant
Nhia Chang
Nhia.Chang@house.mn.gov
651-296-4165