DFL leaders lay out legislative priorities for 2025 session

The House DFL plans to focus on child care, health care and housing during this legislative session.

It’s 2025 agenda is intended to improve Minnesotans’ lives, Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said during a press conference Friday.

“DFLers continue to be focused on supporting workers and families because we know that’s the best way to build a strong economy,” Hortman said.

[MORE: View the DFL agenda]

The first 10 bills of the legislative session were introduced Thursday. Sponsored by Republicans, they include issues related to fraud reporting in state agencies, implementing fiscal management recommendations, returning some of a projected budget surplus to taxpayers, modifying the Read Act and prohibiting state-funded services to "undocumented noncitizens." The first of the bills are scheduled to be heard in committees next week.

Hortman said there aren’t any DFL-sponsored bills in the hopper because the House was adjourned Tuesday without a quorum and bills can’t be pre-filed without a presiding officer.

The priorities’ announcement took place in Minneapolis because DFLers continue to stay away from the Capitol, with Hortman reiterating their stance that ongoing Republican proceedings in the House are a “sham.”

The DFL priorities include:

Child care

The DFL plans to introduce legislation that would reduce the cost of child care and ensure that paid family and medical leave is protected.

“Making Minnesota the best place to raise a family means that ensuring everyone can put food on the table so no child goes hungry, making child care more affordable so that parents can work or go to school, and partnering with parents and caregivers to ensure that every child in Minnesota is safe and supported as they grow,” said Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-Eden Prairie).

Republicans heard Thursday about concerns with paid family and medical leave and earned sick and safe time.

Health care

The DFL package includes expanding access to out-of-pocket caps on prescription drugs, including insulin, inhalers and EpiPens, increasing access to mental health care and addressing hospitals’ reduction of services.

“DFLers will prioritize people’s health and rein in the private profits of health care, insurance and drug companies that are harming and exploiting Minnesotans,” said Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley).

Housing

Young adults, young families and seniors are telling legislators that housing costs are too high and they’re right, said Rep. Michael Howard (DFL-Richfield).

DFL members plan to introduce legislation that would spur construction of starter and affordable homes to rent. They also want to tackle problems with out-of-state corporations and hedge funds buying up homes in Minnesota and price-fixing schemes that landlords use to increase rents.

“House Democrats are ready to put Minnesotans, and not corporations, in the driver’s seat to find an affordable place called home,” Howard said.