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Dear Neighbors,  

As Minnesotans continue to struggle with health care costs and food access, President Trump continues to build his $300 million ballroom and has promised to give $40 billion to Argentina. Now, the so-called “deal” coming out of Washington – crafted by Republicans – to reopen the federal government does nothing to make health care more affordable. Premiums for many Minnesotans in the private market are expected to rise by as much as 50%. Farmers, small business owners, and older adults will face the even harsher impacts.  

Minnesotans are already experiencing an affordability crisis, and families are stretched thin by the rising cost of health care, as well as housing, food, and energy. The cruelty from Donald Trump and his allies is compounding this crisis. Earlier this year, they stripped Medicaid coverage from 140,000 Minnesotans, including some of our most vulnerable neighbors. In recent days, not only did Republicans refuse to stop health care premiums from skyrocketing, but they did so while putting low-income families at dire risk of hunger by fighting against SNAP food assistance payments.  

These actions are cruel enough on their own, but Republicans are making these cuts to pay for tax giveaways for billionaires, which is downright unconscionable. I’m grateful for the DFL members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including Senators Smith and Klobuchar, who have stood firm in the fight to make health care more affordable.

Here in Minnesota, DFLers have worked to expand coverage and make vital medications more affordable, but until we eliminate corporate greed from our health care system, prices will only continue to rise. House DFLers will continue fighting to fix this system and make health care affordable for all Minnesotans. 

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*Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)* 

Even before the shutdown, Trump made massive federal cuts to food support known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through his ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’. SNAP is a critical lifeline for families to put food on the table, and these cuts come when hunger is rising rapidly under Trump [ [link removed] ]. More than 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Nearly a third of kindergarteners in Minnesota rely on SNAP, and approximately 152,000 children and 72,000 seniors in Minnesota will lose access to meals due to the Trump shutdown. 

Starving people is a choice the Trump administration is making as there are funds available that the administration should use to provide these benefits during the shutdown. Along with my colleagues, the House and Senate DFL caucuses sent a letter [ [link removed] ] Trump urging him to use his authority to keep families and children fed through November. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit about this [ [link removed] ] and won. Despite the court ruling, Trump and his cronies are working to prevent Americans from having access to a basic human necessity, food. 

Here in Minnesota, Governor Walz has announced the use of some emergency funds that will be allocated [ [link removed] ] to help prevent starvation in the short-term in Minnesota. Several counties have also enacted emergency funding to support food shelves.  

If you or someone you know needs help with food this fall, Hunger Solutions has a list of statewide food shelves and additional resources here [ [link removed] ]. For assistance specifically in Ramsey County, you can search for resources here [ [link removed] ].  

If you’re able to, please consider making a contribution to a local food shelf. I plan on making an ongoing contribution starting tonight. Food shelves are already struggling to meet the demand, and the longer the uncertainty around SNAP continues, the more pressure they will face. 

Help Available
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*Connecting with Our Community*  

My colleagues and I are traveling to Fergus Falls to meet with local 2SLGBTQIA+ community leaders and members to continue dialogue and provide legislative information to our trans and gender-expansive community across greater Minnesota. If you have friends or loved ones living in or near the area, please encourage them to register to join us. Details below.  

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One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working directly with our residents to improve our district and address issues that are important to you. My office is currently planning a district-focused town hall in the coming weeks. To help with planning, I'd love to hear from you. 

Please complete this survey [ [link removed] ] to tell me: 


* What your concerns/questions are. 

* What your legislative priorities are. 

* What action you would like to see us take. 

Your feedback is invaluable and will help ensure I have the resources and information ready for our town hall. 

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*Survey on Gun Violence* 

The Minnesota DFL has passed laws that reduce gun violence in Minnesota and is working on additional legislation. As a part of that effort, we created a survey where you can tell us about your personal experience with gun violence. Many of the ways in which gun violence impacts our society occur on more personal levels and don’t get a lot of media attention. We are hoping to shine a light on these stories to raise awareness of the full cost of gun violence. Please take the time to fill out our survey if you have been impacted by gun violence. [ [link removed] ] 

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*New Energy Programs* 

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is establishing numerous new state and federal energy programs. Each program is on an independent roll-out timeline, and not all programs will launch on the same date. Information and guidance for each program is posted and updated regularly.   


* Energy Specific Funding Opportunities [ [link removed] ] newsletter provides updates for organizations such as local & tribal governments, utilities, businesses, communities, non-profits, advocacy groups and other entities. Primary topics: state & federal programs. 

* Consumer Announcements [ [link removed] ] newsletter provides updates for individuals including consumers, homeowners, renters and the general public. Primary topics: rebates, grants, incentives.  

Direct/Elective Pay Resources: [ [link removed] ] Tax-exempt and governmental entities can now receive a payment equal to the full value of tax credits for qualifying clean energy projects; this is known as Elective (or Direct) Pay. Find out more by accessing this webpage [ [link removed] ] to determine if your organization's clean energy project is eligible. 

Learn more about the programs here [ [link removed] ].  

If you invested in renewable energy for your home such as solar, wind, geothermal, fuel cells or battery storage technology, you may qualify for an annual residential clean energy tax credit. Don't miss out on significant savings for your clean energy improvements. Federal tax credits for qualifying home energy efficiency upgrades (like insulation, windows, and heat pumps) and residential clean energy projects (like solar panels and battery storage) are expiring at the end of this year, December 31st! 

If you're planning any energy-saving upgrades, act now to claim these valuable credits when you file your taxes. Check the IRS website [ [link removed] ] or consult a tax professional for specific eligibility details and make sure your project is "placed in service" before the deadline! 

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*Stay Connected*

I am incredibly grateful for your continued support and for your active participation in our democracy. It is an honor to represent you and our community at the State Capitol. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions you have about legislative matters or to share your thoughts on the issues that are most important to you. Your voice is essential, and I look forward to hearing from you. 

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.

Sincerely, 

Leigh Finke

State Representative - 66A

*Legislative Assistant: *Robin Mercer-Taylor  

*Email:* [email protected] 








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