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Dear Neighbors, 

A huge thank you to folks from St Louis Park, Edina, and Hopkins that helped Rep. Kraft and I fill up the STEP food shelf van! You all contributed 589 pounds of food and $100 in donations in two short hours. This will make a big difference for our neighbors in need this holiday season. Rep. Kraft and I intend to do another food shelf and school supply drive next year.

STEP

Since I last wrote, the federal government is back up and running, however, this is at a major cost to the American people, and we’re feeling the crunch in Minnesota. 

This week's economic forecast [ [link removed] ] shows that while Minnesota’s budget outlook has improved in both the short and long term, despite the federal chaos created with tariffs and skyrocketing health care costs, our future remains uncertain. 

Since President Trump and the congressional majority ended valuable tax credits that help reduce health insurance costs in the private market, premiums are expected to rise by as much as 50% next year, with farmers, small business owners, and older adults hit the hardest. They also stripped Medicaid coverage from more than 140,000 Minnesotans, including some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Outcomes from these cuts include fewer people receiving the care they need, additional strain on our hospitals, and – ultimately – more expensive health care for everyone. 

I’m working with my colleagues to make health care more affordable, and as part of this work, I want to hear from you. *Please take a moment to share how rising health care costs are affecting you and your family by completing this short survey [ [link removed] ].*

Skyrocketing health care prices and reduced coverage are putting more pressure on working families already struggling with an affordability crisis, as costs of food, energy, child care, and housing continue to rise. Your experiences can help shape real solutions to fix our broken system and make health care more affordable.

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*Paid Leave Launches January 1*

The U.S. is the only developed country in the world that doesn’t guarantee some form of paid leave, forcing most workers to make impossible choices between a paycheck and caring for a new child, an aging parent, or their own serious health condition. *But in Minnesota, that’s about to change with the launch of Paid Leave on January 1, 2026. As we prepare for Paid Leave to take effect, I want to share the basics of the new law, how it impacts you, and how to use it next month.* 

Paid Leave provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave for your own serious health condition, including pregnancy and recovery. It also provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child or a seriously ill loved one. If using both medical and family leave, workers can use up to a total of 20 weeks annually. A short video explaining the basics of how it works is available here: 

PFML Video image [ [link removed] ]

The program will have a small cost but offer powerful support. The premium rate for 2026 will be 0.88%, with employers responsible for at least half. If the employer chooses to split the premium with the employee, each will pay 0.44%. For an employee earning the average annual income, this amounts to about $5 per week each for the worker and the employer. Paid Leave will level the playing field for small businesses that have wanted to offer this benefit but haven’t been able to do so sustainably. 

*The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has developed helpful toolkits with resources for workers and businesses alike*. The toolkit for workers [ [link removed] ] can help you find out if you’re eligible for coverage, when Paid Leave can be used, how much time you can take, how you’ll be compensated, and more. The toolkit for businesses [ [link removed] ] includes information about upcoming public engagement events, premium rates and contributions, equivalent plans for Paid Leave, and other FAQs.  

This isn’t a new concept – twelve other states and the District of Columbia currently offer Paid Family and Medical Leave. Despite attempts to weaken, delay, and repeal this hard-fought progress before families could even benefit from it, DFLers succeeded in protecting this hard-fought win for middle-class Minnesotans. I'm thrilled that families across our community and throughout Minnesota will finally have the peace of mind they deserve. As the program's launch approaches, I encourage you to explore the comprehensive resources available at *pl.mn.gov*.

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*Immigration Resources*

I'm proud to live in a state with a long history of welcoming immigrants seeking safety and a better life—free from poverty, war, and oppression. 

Since President Trump announced his intent to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS), many of our neighbors are afraid. A refresher for folks: TPS was passed in 1990 with strong bipartisan support in Congress and signed by Republican President George H.W. Bush [ [link removed] ], protecting people from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions for over three decades.

Our immigrant neighbors are colleagues, friends, and familiar faces at the grocery store and in our schools. They're integral to what makes Minnesota special, enriching our communities with their diversity and strengthening our economy every day.

As ICE ramps up their efforts in Minnesota by targeting our immigrant neighbors, many have reached out looking for ways to support neighbors in our community. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota has a myriad of resources here [ [link removed] ]. You can also check out the Monarca Rapid Response Line to learn more about legal observation and advocacy here [ [link removed] ]. 

I would also like to give a share the article about suburban school districts and their response to ICE showing up in our communities. This article [ [link removed] ] gives a special shoutout to St. Louis Park and Hopkins School Districts.

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*Cold Weather Rule & Energy Assistance *

As we head into colder weather, I want to remind you of the resources available to ensure that all Minnesotans stay warm and are protected from utility service shut-offs. 

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule [ [link removed] ] is in effect from October 1 to April 30, protecting residential utility customers from having their electric or natural gas service shut off. To protect your service from disconnection, you must make and keep a reasonable payment plan that you and your utility agree on. You can set up a payment plan any time during the rule season. 

Call your natural gas, electric, municipal utility, or electric cooperative for more information, or contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at [email protected] or call 651-296-0406, 1-800-657-3782. 

Cold Weather Rule

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps ensure that struggling Minnesota families can afford their energy. Both renters and homeowners can qualify to receive funding to help cover energy costs, and eligibility is based on income and household size.  

LIHEAP is federally funded and administered by the Department of Commerce, which works with local service providers throughout the state. While the government shutdown is now over, LIHEAP is still waiting for federal funding for this program year. Most benefits cannot be issued until that funding is received. However, they are accepting applications and encourage you to apply. You can find more information here [ [link removed] ]. 

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Keep in Touch

Please continue to contact me anytime with what’s on your mind. Email is the quickest way to get in touch at [email protected].

Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol. 

Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season,

Cheryl Youakim Signature

Cheryl Youakim
State Representative 








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