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Dear Neighbors,

The blanket of snow that’s covered our neighborhoods sure has created a winter wonderland- just in time for the holidays. However you’re celebrating, I’m wishing you and yours a peaceful, restful season, spending time with loved ones. If you haven't had a chance to check out the holiday light display at the Hilde Performance Center, (3500 Plymouth Blvd.), bundle up and take a stroll, which is available to view at dusk throughout the season at no cost. 

Hilde Snowflake Light Display




As we close the chapter on 2025, this is the time for reflection and what we can look forward to in 2026. 

We’ve been making progress on making Minnesota one of the best places to live, work, and raise a family. In a closely divided House this year, we faced the important work of preserving proven initiatives to help support individuals and families while finding common ground where possible. Plymouth and Medicine Lake voices were heard, our values were at the table, and our state’s future remains the focus. 






Rep. Klevorn, Rep. Carroll, and Sen. Westlin at the SD 42 Town Hall
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*Paid Family and Medical Leave Launches January 1*

The U.S. is the only developed country without guaranteed paid leave, forcing workers to choose between paychecks and caring for family or health needs. Minnesota changes this with Paid Leave starting January 1, 2026.

Passed in 2023, Paid Leave provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks of medical leave for serious health conditions, including pregnancy, and 12 weeks of family leave for new children, sick loved ones, or military/safety events. Workers can use up to 20 weeks total annually. You can watch this video explaining how it works:

[ [link removed] ]

The 2026 premium rate is 0.88%, with employers covering at least half. If split equally, workers and employers each pay 0.44%—about $5 weekly for average earners.

The program will be refined based on business feedback. Paid Leave levels the playing field for small businesses wanting to offer this benefit to compete for talent.

DEED offers helpful toolkits. The toolkit for workers [ [link removed] ] covers eligibility, usage, compensation, and more. The toolkit for businesses [ [link removed] ] includes engagement events, premium information, and FAQs.

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*Addressing Budget Challenges*

Last month was open enrollment and all across Minnesota and across the country, working people saw the cost of their health insurance skyrocket. The biggest single takeaway from Minnesota’s recent budget forecast is that we ended the previous biennium with a $4.87 billion surplus, and our budget reserves are healthy.

Thanks to responsible budgeting here in Minnesota, we’re in a better position. However, looking ahead, the same health care cost increases that are hitting family budgets are now impacting the state budget.

As our state plans for the cuts outlined in the Trump Administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, I want to take the pulse of our communities to determine where to use my focus and energy to best serve our communities. While some of the cuts will not take place until 2027, our state must plan now. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and input by taking my legislative survey [ [link removed] ].  

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*Addressing Gun Violence *

We’ve truly needed community this year, particularly as our state experienced very difficult challenges related to gun violence. My friend Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, as well as Annunciation Church shooting victims Fletcher Merkel and Harper Moyski were brutally taken from us and these losses weigh heavily on our community. 

This week, Governor Walz took executive action on gun violence, establishing a Statewide Safety Council and directing state agencies to take steps to prevent gun-related injuries and deaths. You can read more here [ [link removed] ]. 

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*Addressing Fraud*

I believe in a government that works for people, and public dollars should serve public needs like child care, health care, senior care, and more. That’s why fraud in any form — targeting consumers, veterans, small businesses, and government programs — is unacceptable. 

This week, Tim O’Malley joined as Minnesota’s Director of Program Integrity, and I’m encouraged by Governor Walz’s appointment. Working together, we will continue to protect taxpayer dollars, vital services, and ensure accountability across state government. Read more here [ [link removed] ].

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*Addressing ICE Activity in Minnesota*

There’s a lot of chaos and confusion about what’s happening in Minnesota and the Twin Cities right now with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Operation Metro Surge” has resulted in more than 400 arrests since December 1 [ [link removed] ]. ICE is escalating activity in our communities, and masked agents without identification or lawful warrants are sowing fear and division. 

Additionally, since President Trump announced his intent to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS), many of our neighbors are feeling afraid. 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.

In my role as a state legislator, I support and am here to serve all of my neighbors, and am in touch with our federal congressional delegation disseminating important public information and identifying ways to keep all residents safe. 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] ].

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*Keep in Touch*

Please continue to be in touch with anything on your mind or to let me know how I can help at [email protected] or 651-296-5511.

Thank you for the honor of serving our Plymouth and Medicine Lake neighbors in St. Paul.

Warmly,

Ginny Klevorn
State Representative 

Melissa Hortman on a Christmas ornament

"Turcks Trees of Litchfield delivered the Capitol Holiday Tree earlier this month which will be on display throughout the holiday season in the Rotunda. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture assisted, and added this lovely ornament to memorialize Melissa, Mark, and Gilbert."








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