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Neighbors, 

On Monday, the Minnesota Legislature convened for a special session to pass remaining budget bills and finalize the state budget for 2026-2027. The House finished our business just before 11pm, passing all remaining bills that craft the state budget. 

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Throughout the session, disagreements between parties led to significant challenges in reaching consensus on key issues. Republicans and Democrats held different priorities and approaches, making compromise difficult on several important matters. 

As a condition of balancing the state budget, Minnesota Republicans demanded taking away health insurance from Minnesotans without legal status. This will only harm "all "Minnesotans, as our hospitals and emergency rooms will not be paid for emergency services. Everyone, regardless of citizenship, who is raising a family and working hard in our community deserves to live with dignity and safety. That includes access to affordable high-quality healthcare. 

Despite Republicans’ determination to undercut policies that favor working families over billionaires, DFLers successfully blocked Republican efforts to roll back laws that allow people to take care of themselves and loved ones when they’re sick, save families money on groceries and make sure no kid goes hungry at school, protect our 2SLGBTQA+ communities, and protect reproductive freedom. 

There are a number of things that I wish were different about this year’s budget, but I know that everyone in the House can say the same. Regardless, in a split legislature we were able to accomplish a lot of bipartisan work. 

I am proud that HF51, the first bill I dropped, made it across the finish line. It will provide much needed relief to schools when maintaining and replacing their roofs. Here are some encouraging words from a school finance professional I spoke with:  

"“This is actually a huge win for Minnesota school districts and a huge win for communities in Minnesota who will now see their investment in their most expensive public asset in their towns be maximized because of the life-extending protection of their schools that comes as a result of a roof in a state of good repair.... Thank you again so much for sponsoring bills and advocating for this “silent but massive” win for Minnesota school districts.”" 

I’m also happy that elements of HF1911, IT modernization of SSIS, were funded. This $35 million investment will have positive impacts on our county social services delivery and workforce. Also, HF2489, a bill that allows schools to stock nasal epinephrine, is a game changer for kids with severe allergies. Finally, one bill that did not get a hearing was HF1658, a bill for increased funding to Federally Qualified Health Centers. Luckily, my colleagues on the health committee advocated for $40 million in additional funding over the next four years.  

This session, though challenging, came with new experiences. I was able to mentor an Eagan High School student interested public policy, I had a college intern also interested in public policy, I hosted the first ever info session for my colleagues and schools on LTFM funding at the Centennial Office Building, and I was appointed to the P20 Partnership.  

I look forward to spending some much needed time with my family this summer and digging into more issues facing our communities. As we enter the legislative interim, please do not hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can help with or to share ideas on how to make our communities and our state even stronger. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! 

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Stay Connected

Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account.   

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out by email at  [email protected], or by phone at 651-296-4192. You can contact my Legislative Assistant, Jude, at 651-296-9467 or at [email protected]. 

It is an honor and a privilege to represent you at the Capitol. 

  

All my best, 

Bianca Virnig 

State Representative 






State Representative Bianca Virnig

5th Floor, Centennial Office Building
658 Cedar St.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

Phone: 651-296-4192
Email: [email protected] "(replies to this newsletter are not monitored)"
Website: www.house.mn.gov/52B [ [link removed] ]







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