Dear John,

This past Monday, May 20th, was the end of the second year of Minnesota’s 2023-2024 legislative two-year cycle. After passing a record-high $72 billion budget in 2023, legislators labored until the eleventh hour to pass a crucial supplemental budget, despite the literal screams of Republicans objecting to everything.

At the same time, several critical bills did not make it through. In fact, the chaos created by the GOP in the final hours directly impeded the passage of Equal Rights Amendment language that could have gone to the ballot in 2026 to protect Minnesotans from discrimination. The GOP also blocked a bonding bill for critical infrastructure across the state, including community-led initiatives like the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s renovation of the former Roof Depot site in South Minneapolis.

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Now, let's dive into highlights from notable bills that made it through, as well as those that fell short.

1. PASSED: HMO conversions
TakeAction has spearheaded a years-long battle to regulate the conversion of non-profit Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to for-profit entities. When such a conversion occurs, corporations convert millions of dollars in public assets into corporate profits. This bill, authored by Rep. Zack Stephenson and Sen. Melissa Wiklund, will ensure that public assets stay public and give the Attorney General the authority to enforce such measures.
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2. PASSED: Gender-affirming care
Under a groundbreaking bill authored by Rep. Leigh Finke and Sen. Scott Dibble, health plans must now cover physical and mental health services for gender-affirming care. This care will be deemed medically necessary if it meets professional standards, guidelines, or medical practices. This is a significant victory for the queer community, ensuring access to essential and affirming healthcare.
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3. PASSED: Worker Misclassification
In a bold move last September, Attorney General Keith Ellison established the Advisory Task Force on Worker Misclassification to investigate employers misclassifying employees as independent contractors. This deceitful practice forces workers to pay higher taxes, miss out on benefits, and endure job insecurity. Now, thanks to a powerful new bill from Rep. Emma Greenman and Sen. Claire Verbeten, this exploitation is prohibited, offering vital protections and much-needed security for workers.
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4. PASSED: Uber/Lyft
After Gov. Walz's veto of a fair pay bill for rideshare drivers last year, a breakthrough agreement this year sets a new pay floor, resulting in a 14 percent wage increase. Thanks to the relentless efforts of Rep. Hodan Hassan and Sen. Omar Fateh, along with the grassroots power of MULDA, this deal brings some of the strongest labor protections in the nation. It’s a major win for rideshare drivers, ensuring they earn a livable wage for their hard work.

BONUS READ: Minneapolis City Council members were critical to getting this done, and yet they’re being called out for creating chaos. Check out this Twitter thread and others on the issue from Wedge Live.

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5. PASSED: Salary ranges in job postings
Starting January 1, 2025, Minnesota employers must include salary ranges in job postings, a game-changer for pay equity. This landmark law aims to close the gender wage gap, which costs Minnesota women an estimated $483,040 in lifetime earnings, with an even greater impact on women of color. By ensuring pay transparency, this law is a vital step towards overcoming wage disparities and achieving fair pay for all.
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6. NOT PASSED: Childcare funding
The average annual cost of infant care in Minnesota is a staggering 21 percent of the median household income, surpassing the average rent by 31 percent. A bill by Rep. Carly Kotyza-Witthuhn and Sen. Grant Hauschild aimed to ensure that families earning less than 150 percent of the state median income wouldn't pay more than 7 percent of their income on childcare and early learning. Despite overwhelming support from parents and childcare providers, the bill did not pass. To help make affordable childcare a reality and prevent families from financial ruin, follow our parents and caregivers team on our Instagram or join the Minnesota United Parents meeting on June 5th.
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7. NOT PASSED: Equal Rights Amendment
Across the country, legislatures and courts are attacking our freedoms. While in this current moment the Minnesota Legislature has been proactive in supporting equal rights for all, it is still imperative that we enshrine those rights within the Minnesota Constitution to ensure every Minnesotan’s rights are guaranteed regardless of shifting political winds. If this bill had passed, the ERA would have been on the 2026 ballot for voters to approve constitutional protections for abortion and gender identity.
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8. NOT PASSED: Bonding bill
In the Minnesota legislature, a biennium is made up of a budget year in the odd-numbered year and a bonding year in the even-numbered year. After the budget was passed last year, the main focus of this year's session was a bonding bill. This is when the state borrows money to pay for infrastructure projects throughout the state and requires a 60 percent majority to pass rather than a simple majority. Due to the chaotic end to session, the legislature failed to pass a bonding bill.
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9. TCUP meeting
If you’re a musician or a music lover, join our Twin Cities United Performers at the TakeAction Minnesota St. Paul office (or over Zoom) for the first general TCUP meeting! There will be donuts, coffee, and learning about how TCUP started, what we’ve done so far, and what we plan to do next.
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10. Minneapolis/St. Paul parks
Incredible! A whopping 99 percent of Twin Cities residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, making Minneapolis and St. Paul ranked #2 and #3 in the nation for park access. Wow!
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And that's a wrap! Send me what you're reading, watching, and listening to.

In solidarity,

Ayanna Lee (they/she)
Digital Manager


Paid for by TakeAction Minnesota
TakeAction Minnesota
705 Raymond Ave Ste 100
Saint Paul, MN 55114
United States
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