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Legislative Update – December 17, 2025

Dear Neighbors, 

As 2025 comes to a close, I wanted to wrap-up the past month of events, preview some of the work we have to do in next year’s legislative session, and highlight some recent actions we’re taking to build a better Minnesota for everyone. 

This week, I had a great time meeting with students from the Minnetonka Schools Vantage Program on the Minnesota House Floor, where we also got to enjoy music from a youth orchestra concert in the Capitol rotunda.  

12-17 Acomb

Earlier this month, I spoke on Clean Energy Economy Minnesota’s legislative panel to discuss our continued work on clean energy and data center regulations, and I was proud to volunteer at ResourceWest, [ [link removed] ] as they help support community members during the holiday season with a Toy Chest! 

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Gun Violence Prevention Survey

This week, our nation has been once again confronted with the stark reality of gun violence following a school shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island. In Minnesota, conversations are underway at the State Capitol about gun violence prevention legislation to respond to the voices of the parents, families, and community at Annunciation School and Church. 

This week, Governor Walz signed two executive orders [ [link removed] ] relating to gun violence prevention. The first creates a statewide safety council to examine and help reduce the effects of gun violence. The second will track the cost of gun violence and add funding to educate gun owners on safe storage and extreme risk protection orders. 

12-15 Walz Executive Order [ [link removed] ]

I want to check in with you and our community about what can be done in the 2026 Legislative Session to address gun violence in our state. *You can fill out my survey on gun violence prevention here: **[link removed].*

Thank you for taking the time to make your voice heard on this important issue. 

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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 – which DFLers in the Legislature and Governor Walz passed in 2023 – 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. You can watch a short video explaining how the program works here [ [link removed] ]. 

[ [link removed] ]

The program will have a small cost but offer powerful benefits. 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. 

*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 program has truly been years in the making, and I’m so excited for families in our community and throughout Minnesota to finally have peace of mind. *As we get closer to the program’s rollout, I encourage you to check out all the resources available at **pl.mn.gov* [ [link removed] ]*.* 

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Protecting our Government Services

Minnesota’s work to fight fraud continues. Last week, Governor Walz appointed Tim O’Malley [ [link removed] ] to serve as the Director of Program Integrity. As a judge, a former BCA superintendent under Governor Pawlenty, a former FBI agent, and a reformer in the archdiocese, O’Malley is well equipped to lead the charge. 

12-12 Walz Appointment [ [link removed] ]

The statewide program led by O’Malley will prevent fraud, improve oversight, and protect public trust. I appreciate Governor Walz for taking this important action to ensure accountability across state government, and I’ll continue working at the legislature to advance policies that meaningfully protect our government services from bad actors. 

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Staying in touch

Please reach out if you have any questions or feedback you would like to share. You can contact me by email at [email protected] or call my office during business hours at (651) 296-9934.

Sincerely,

Patty Acomb
State Representative






Representative Patty Acomb

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

Phone: 651-296-9934
Email: [email protected]
Website: [link removed]







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