Legislative update

MAPE has been tracking numerous bills moving through the legislative process these past 10 days. 

The House GOP have been fast-tracking their priority and messaging bills through committees, hoping to get the more controversial items to floor for votes before they potentially lose their one-vote advantage on March 17. These bills include H.F. 11, a bill to delay the MN Paid Family and Medical Leave program by another year. There has been no credible evidence the program is not on track to launch on Jan. 1, 2026, but rather a concerted push by the Chambers of Commerce and employer groups to delay and rollback the program.  

MAPE has also been arguing against H.F. 1, a bill that would create an independent Office Inspector General (OIG) in the legislative branch by transferring the current OIG staff from various agencies and stripping them of collective bargaining rights. MAPE successfully advocated for amendments to the bill that would ensure employees remain in the classified service, however we remain strongly opposed. The Senate version proposes transfers to an independent executive branch agency and retains OIG employee rights and classifications. We are continuing to work with the bill author on our outstanding concerns.  

The main issue MAPE continues to work on is the state budget. As the November and February budget forecast a significant deficit in 2028-2029, with compounding negative impacts driven by the federal government’s cuts and impending trade war, much of our focus will be on increasing revenue and protecting against tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. Last week the February forecast showed a decrease in the projected budget surplus, down from $616 million in November to $456 million. The outlook for 2028-2029 was also worse, moving a projected $856 million for a total of $5.9 billion projected deficit. 

Revenue raisers we’re supporting include a version of the Governor’s budget proposal to broaden the sales tax base to include certain services, lower the current percentage rate and create a fifth tier income tax. MAPE is also opposing an expansion to the current tax exemption on data centers, which could see the state lose out on billions in revenue and opposing a bill that gives $512 million in general fund dollars to insurance companies for reinsurance.  

This week we will see the House take up numerous bills on the floor, including the one-year delay to PFML and whistleblower expansions. They will also move more controversial bills to the floor, such as carving workers out of earned sick and safe time. Tuesday is the House special election.  

On the federal level, the Trump administration issued an executive order to roll back the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Few details are known now but appear to be targeting nonprofits and potentially government employees who assist the LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities. Congress must also avoid a government shutdown before Friday, March 14.