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Dear Neighbors and Friends,  

As we reach the midpoint of our legislative session, the halls of the Capitol are bustling with activity. Committee deadlines are approaching rapidly, and my DFL colleagues and I are working diligently to present and defend policies that Minnesotans have fought hard to establish. 

As the Legislature moves forward in crafting a new state budget, we will fight to put more power in the hands of Minnesotans, not billionaires and large corporations. 

The reality of our tied Minnesota House of Representatives means one thing is clear: we must work together to accomplish anything meaningful. This includes our biggest priority—enacting a balanced two-year state budget. The House budget targets represent a genuine compromise between Democrats and Republicans and will guide our committee co-chairs as they draft their respective budgets. 

While we've seen numerous GOP attempts to repeal policies that Minnesotans fought hard for, now is the time to move beyond partisan goals. We must work collaboratively to ensure no community is left behind. My commitment remains steadfast: to create a Minnesota where opportunity is accessible to all, regardless of zip code or background. 

xd
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*2025 Trans Day of Visibility *

2025 Trans Day of Visibility Every day is a beautiful day to be trans and alive. It was a great honor to be the keynote speaker of this year’s TDOV rally at the Capitol. In 2023, the Minnesota legislature passed the Trans Refuge bill, establishing some of the strongest protections in the nation. We will not back down or become complacent in the face of erasure.  

Thank you, OutFront Minnesota and the MN’s LGBTQIA2S Council on for all their hard work and coordination in bringing our community together.  

d
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*ERA Bill Hearing* 

This week, as critical deadlines approach, I had the opportunity to present my biggest priority bill of the year, the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment, in the Minnesota House State Government committee. I am grateful to Chair Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth) and the Minnesota House State Government committee for hearing the Minnesota ERA bill. These are unprecedented and frightening times for civil rights in America. Now more than ever, we need to ensure we have strong protections for all communities not yet explicitly covered in our constitution: women, individuals with disabilities, queer and transgender people, and more.

Today, our highest national ideals - liberty, equality, and justice - remain conditional privileges rather than universal rights. The true measure of our democracy isn't how we treat the most privileged members of our society, but how we safeguard the dignity and humanity of our most vulnerable neighbors. This is the time; equal protection under the law must be established now. 

While the bill was laid over, this is not the end. The movement persists, our advocacy continues, and we will keep fighting for the ERA. The time is now. ERA NOW. 

dc
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*Federal Cuts to MDH * 

The Minnesota Department of Health announced last week [ [link removed] ] that the Trump administration is unilaterally rescinding $226 million in federal grants related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cuts amount to about 25% of MDH’s current budget, according to KARE-11 [ [link removed] ], and are likely to result in the layoffs of around 200 employees. The actions are part of a broader nationwide effort to eliminate $11 billion in spending by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

The recent federal funding cuts raise serious concerns about healthcare access for all Minnesotans and may exacerbate existing medical care disparities across our state. These changes could potentially impact essential services including COVID-19 testing capabilities, vaccination programs, and ongoing pandemic research initiatives. I am committed to pursuing solutions through collaboration, advocating for adequate public health funding, and supporting affected employees while ensuring our communities maintain access to vital health services during this challenging transition.  

*Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires Act *  

While President Trump and Congressional Republicans look to subsidize tax cuts for the wealthy by reducing federal funding for Medicaid, I am a proud co-author of DFL-backed legislation [ [link removed] ] that would raise taxes on millionaires at the level necessary to offset any cuts to this crucial program. Medicaid is the largest single source of health insurance in Minnesota, serving senior citizens, children, families, and people with disabilities.   

A report from Congress’s Joint Economic Committee [ [link removed] ] found that if Republicans in Congress pass their proposed budget and cut Medicaid, Minnesota could see 89,000 rural residents lose their health coverage,130,000 children lose their health insurance, more than 1 in 6 seniors lose their nursing home care and, in total, nearly 400,000 people cut off from their health insurance. If these callous cuts go through without additional revenue raised by Minnesota, it will have a direct and immediate negative effect on health in Minnesota, costing lives and doing harm.  

Watch the press conference here [ [link removed] ].   

vc
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*Fraud Prevention Resources * 

Text, email, and social media scams are becoming more sophisticated and more prevalent. If you’re like me, you probably have gotten some of these scam texts that say you need to pay a toll or confirm a payment--it's important to be skeptical of such texts. Those E-Z Pass texts are scams, and MnDOT has issued a fraud warning here [ [link removed] ] with resources in case you accidentally click a link. 

I want to share some helpful resources with you all on how to spot and avoid scams, and where you can go for help if you or someone you know falls victim to these fraudsters. Remember that it’s important to break down the stigma of embarrassment and report any cases so law enforcement can take any actions possible to try to recover funds or stop future scams. 

Attorney General Keith Ellison has some resources on How to Spot a Scam [ [link removed] ] with helpful examples and a list of common scams [ [link removed] ]. If you have concerns about a particular offer or believe you are the victim of a scam, the Attorney General wants to hear from you. You may call at (651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area) or (800) 657-3787 (Outside the Twin Cities), or submit a Consumer Assistance Request Form [ [link removed] ]. 

Meanwhile, here at the Legislature, we are working on bills to support the Attorney General’s work cracking down on fraud in the public and private sectors. Some proposals include stiffer penalties on Medicaid fraudsters [ [link removed] ], a fraud investigation unit within the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension [ [link removed] ], fighting against employer misclassification fraud, [ [link removed] ] and protecting veterans from claim sharks [ [link removed] ] that seek to profit off the benefits they earned in service to our country. 

ScamStopper
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*Stay Connected*

If you haven’t yet, you can “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page [ [link removed] ] to keep up with my work. I also invite you to contact my office with any questions or comments you may have at (651) 296-3824 or [email protected]. I will be happy to assist you. 

For broader legislative information, you can access the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services for nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily [ [link removed] ] publication.

It’s an honor to represent our community in the Minnesota House. 

Sincerely, 

Leigh Finke

State Representative - 66A

*Legislative Assistant: *Robin Mercer-Taylor  

*Email:* [email protected] 








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