Dear Neighbors,
As we reach the final stretch of our legislative session, the past two weeks marked a critical juncture in our legislative session as we concluded the third and final committee deadline. As we all await warmer and sunnier days, and with the end of session around the corner in May, here is an update of happenings from the Capitol!
The Minnesota House is back to an even 67-67 tie, the dynamic has dramatically changed. Now that House Republicans need DFL votes to pass bills out of committee, we're witnessing a sudden newfound willingness from our colleagues to collaborate on critical issues facing Minnesotans.
DFL and Republican House leadership agreed to budget targets–an outline for the state’s two-year budget that will be passed this session. With all bill presentations now finalized, committees have begun the intensive work of negotiating comprehensive bill packages that will complement our established budget targets.
Democrats have effectively leveraged the tie to prevent harmful legislation from progressing – such as bills to repeal universal school meals, gut paid family medical leave, cuts to Meals on Wheels, to rolling back Ethnic Studies and Indigenous Education for All -- while simultaneously working on meaningful bills that genuinely serve our communities - and this wouldn’t be possible without the power-sharing agreement my DFL colleagues and I fought so hard to secure. As the Legislature moves forward in crafting a new state budget, we’ll fight to put more power in the hands of Minnesotans, not the ultra-wealthy and large corporations. Together, we can create an economy that works for everyone – regardless of race, immigration status, zip code, or background. We use our power to propel us towards a future rooted in policies that will lead to family-sustaining wage jobs, affordable healthcare for all, just and affordable housing, securing our climate future, high quality early child-care and education, and robust social safety nets that ensure no Minnesotan is left behind.
As your representative, I'm committed to using this time to craft an equitable budget that benefits all Minnesotans, while standing firm on the vision and values you elected me to co-champion with you. This isn't just about playing defense—it's a chance to move Minnesota forward with policies and budget that put people and planet first.
Housing Budget & Policy Bill: For the 2025-2026 biennium, I've been appointed as DFL Vice Chair of the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. I’m especially proud of the slate of bills I’m carrying that are headed to the House Floor next Tuesday – $10 million in Challenge Program Funds Minnesota is facing an interlocking housing and workforce crisis. Whether we are seeking to eliminate racial disparities and wealth gaps, improve educational outcomes for kids, or grow our economy across the state, all roads lead back to home. I’m deeply honored to step into a leading role at such a crucial time and am eager to accelerate our work of challenging the status quo, obtain dedicated funding for housing, and grow our people power to create a future where a safe, dignified, affordable home is guaranteed for everyone.
Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires: Medicaid isn't just another government program - it's the largest source of health insurance in our state, serving seniors, kids, families, and people with disabilities who need support. There’s no shortage of alarming decisions coming from the Trump administration, but with Congressional Republicans working with the President and his billionaire buddies to cut Medicaid to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, we can’t afford to be passive in our response.
In response, I was proud to join my DFL colleagues, Medicaid advocates, and labor partners to introduce the “Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires” Act. Our plan calls for millionaires (that are about to get a Trump tax cut they do not need) to pay a slice of it in order to protect the essential health care that our neighbors like Judy, Raven, and thousands of Minnesotans depend on every day. A report from Congress’s Joint Economic Committee found that if Republicans in Congress pass their proposed budget and cut Medicaid, Minnesota could see 89,000 rural residents lose their health coverage,130,000 children lose their health insurance, more than 1 in 6 seniors lose their nursing home care and, in total, nearly 400,000 people cut off from their health insurance. If these callous cuts go through without additional revenue raised by Minnesota, it will have a direct and immediate negative effect on health in Minnesota, costing lives and doing harm.
Our Duluth delegation is actively working to do everything possible to protect Minnesotans from these harmful policy decisions, because in Duluth and Minnesota, we believe everyone deserves access to healthcare, not just those who can afford to write big campaign checks.
Know Your Rights: With ICE conducting illegal and racist raids – it's critical time to stand with our immigrant neighbors. Immigrant rights are worker rights, and protecting each other, means making sure you and your loved ones know their rights.
Many thanks to MIRAC – Minnesota Immigrants Rights Action Committee, Harm Reduction Sisters, Duluth Immigrant Center, and many more for bringing our community together to provide important immigrant response training. Knowing your rights is power. Knowing our rights is the first step in fighting back against illegal apprehensions. Learn more here and get plugged in for more opportunities for collective action.
Standing with Minnesota Workers: Over the past few weeks, I was proud to meet with labor partners with AFSCME, Education Minnesota, UFCW, MAPE, US Steelworkers, SEIU, and many more members for productive discussions on critical worker protections. During our conversations, we focused on strengthening pension support, cracking down on wage theft and misclassification, defending paid family medical leave and protecting earned sick and safe time benefits, and preserving and expanding behavioral health services.
These essential protections provide security and dignity for the hardworking people in our community. Minnesotans deserve strong healthcare and worker rights that they've fought so long to achieve. I remain committed to standing with our workers, blocking any attempts to undermine these vital programs, and ensuring these benefits are preserved and expanded. Together, we'll continue fighting to make a government that works for working people and their families!
Fighting Back Against Trump: It was an honor to join Representative Pete Johnson and Attorney General Keith Ellison for an important town hall. We discussed our office's work to counter Trump's harmful policies and engaged in critical conversations with our neighbors about building a better future together. Thank you, Attorney General Ellison, for making the trip north, and thank you to everyone who attended the town hall!
Our powerful community conversation with Duluth & NE Minnesotans focused on our united front against the cruel, chaotic, and concerted attacks on our social safety nets and rights. Dissent is patriotic; we must resist the status quo. Let's fight with and for each other, prioritizing people and sustained strategy over institutions. This is our movement to forge systems of care—healthcare, housing, economy, climate—for all, building a new world together. Onward. The heart, righteous anger, and collective care within our community are fueling this vital action.
Let’s Stay Connected!
One of the biggest joys of this job is getting to meet with my neighbors about issues they care deeply about to build a better future. If you find yourself in St. Paul and would like to meet, want to set up a meeting in Duluth, or need anything from my office, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my Legislative Assistant, Alex Wheeler, to set up a time to connect or to collaborate on policy.
Reach out anytime at rep.alicia.kozlowski@house.mn.gov or call me at 651-296-2228. You can follow my new Facebook and Twitter pages. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas, get involved in local initiatives, or simply say hello!
In community,
Rep. Alicia ‘Liish’ Kozlowski
(They/Them), Pronouns
Two-Spirit, Niizh Manidoowag
Minnesota House of Representatives