Dear Neighbors and Friends,
I am sending you all a note on this last day of session to share my frustration with you that the House GOP is refusing to pass a state budget despite signing a global agreement last week, with the House DFL, Governor Walz, and Senate Leadership. This agreement on global targets for the 2025 legislative session included an agreement to preserve paid leave for all Minnesotans, but the GOP is not going back on their word. My DFL colleagues and I gathered to discuss the very real consequences of what will happen because the GOP chose to delay our work. Stay turned, as we try to work with our colleagues in this divided House.
Healthcare for Our Undocumented Neighbors
Last week’s agreement included cutting healthcare coverage for undocumented Minnesotan adults – which I disagree with on moral and economic grounds.
Healthcare is a human right, and my colleagues and I are working to find other solutions to ensure that we create a budget deal for the state of Minnesota that uplifts the dignity of everyone in the state.
I joined my colleagues in the POCI Caucus at our own press conference to correct the record from the Republican lies about MinnesotaCare coverage, stand up for our undocumented neighbors, and unequivocally say that we will do everything in our power to ensure this “deal” does not become law. You can watch the whole press conference here.
A Peak Behind the Curtain
In negotiations on this agreement, Republicans held the state budget hostage unless their demand to strip healthcare access for our undocumented neighbors was met. They focused on cruelty rather than on ensuring that people and businesses had the resources they needed to live their lives. We know this because undocumented healthcare is 0.17% of the DHS budget. Making this cut is NOT necessary because of a looming budget crisis; this cut is fiscally irresponsible.
It is not low-income immigrants who are to blame for our current budget situation, it is the wealthy millionaires and corporations who refuse to pay their fair share. I am clear-eyed that our for-profit healthcare system is already broken and will only get worse because of this policy that will lead to more emergency room visits and uncompensated care; this means premiums for everyone in the state of Minnesota will increase.
And in case you’re wondering, this is not “free healthcare,” as some have said. Undocumented immigrants in Minnesota pay more than $220 million in taxes per year, and they pay premiums and copays, just like everyone else. Though the enrollment in this program is higher than expected, it shows that demand for healthcare access is greater than anticipated. Yet, the costs through the first four months are lower than forecasted.
As a member of the Tax Committee, I also want to remind you all that there are a number of corporate tax giveaways that you can look up on your own in the latest Tax Expenditure Report from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Republicans are adamant that they do not want to raise revenues from corporations, but we can also choose to re-prioritize the free money we give to corporations from our state budget. In Fiscal Year 26, we will give away the following to corporations that have made record profits:
- $115.2 million to the largest tech corporations in the world
- $39.5 million to airline companies
- $ 1 million to logging companies
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Post Session Legislative Town Hall
Join me for a District 67A Post Session Legislative Town Hall, Tuesday, June 3rd from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM! I am looking forward to providing constituents with a comprehensive recap of the 2025 legislative session, highlighting key budget and policy bills that will improve support for Eastsiders, and seeking feedback from residents.
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Date: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 Location: Hayden Heights Library – Community Room (108), 1456 White Bear Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55106-2405
A member from our team will send the meeting link upon your registration. Register and pre-submit questions here: https://forms.gle/7QZL6p5A6uin5zNM7
REGISTRATION WILL END AT NOON ON MONDAY, JUNE 2ND.
This is a community event for constituents and all are welcome.
Looking forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions, please contact my legislative assistant Boon at: boon.xiong@house.mn.gov
House Public Information 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.
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.
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!
Stay Connected
As a reminder, House members are currently working in the Centennial Office Building this biennium. I deeply value your partnership in building a better future. Please continue to share your perspectives on the issues that impact our community. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out here.
For meetings: Please email my legislative assistant, Boon Xiong, at Boon.Xiong@house.mn.gov or call 651-296-2585.
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Zoo siab,
Rep. Liz Lee
District (67A)
Minnesota House of Representatives