And with that, the 2023 legislative session has officially come to an end!
Minnesota’s progressive champions swept the ballot during the 2022 midterm elections securing control of all three branches of the Minnesota government.
It’s been a whirlwind since the start with a historic class of legislators, a historic budget surplus, and a historic progressive trifecta.
Now that the Speaker of the House has put down her gavel, we’re here to recap everything progressives have delivered for Minnesota since January.
Pro Act
Governor Tim Walz signed the PRO Act into law, codifying our right to safe, legal abortion and comprehensive reproductive health care in Minnesota.
Carbon-Free Electricity
Progressives passed and signed a bill to require utility companies to offer 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 to prevent a future climate crisis and grow our clean energy economy.
Restoring the Right to Vote
Governor Walz signed a bill to restore voting rights for 50,000 formerly incarcerated Minnesotans.
Driver’s Licenses For All
Reinstating a right taken away by former Governor Pawlenty in 2003, progressives passed and signed Driver’s Licenses For All, allowing Minnesotans to earn a driver’s license regardless of their immigration status.
Universal School Meals
Governor Walz signed landmark legislation in March to fund universal school meals for Minnesota students!
Under this new bill, Minnesota will pay the gap between federal funding and the meal cost regardless of a family’s income, providing all students with free school lunches and breakfast.
Holding Corporations Accountable for Price Gouging
Mega-corporations nationwide continue to rake in record profits while working families bear rising costs.
This new law will stop large corporations from artificially raising prices to increase their profit margins during times of emergency.
Conversion Therapy Ban
In a massive win for LGBTQ+ people, progressives shepherded a bill through conservative opposition that bans conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth and vulnerable adults.
Trans Refuge State
In addition to passing the conversion therapy ban, progressives in the House and Senate passed a bill that would make Minnesota a Trans Refuge State.
This crucial legislation will protect transgender people, their families, and medical practitioners from legal repercussions for traveling to Minnesota to receive gender-affirming care.
Reproductive Freedom Defense Act (RFDA)
As the right to abortion is continuously under siege in our neighboring states, Governor Walz signed the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act to keep Minnesota a beacon of access for reproductive care in the Midwest.
The bill will protect patients coming to Minnesota from a state that banned abortions and doctors who practice in Minnesota or outside of Minnesota.
Adult- Use Cannabis Legalization
Minnesota House and Senate progressives passed groundbreaking legislation to legalize recreational adult-use cannabis!
This new law establishes cannabis for recreational use and takes crucial measures to repair the legacy of racial injustice created by decades of criminalized marijuana use.
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Unfortunately, many Minnesotans don’t have access to paid time off when they or a family member is in need and are forced to choose between going to work sick or not being able to pay their bills.
That’s why progressives have spent the last decade fighting for Paid Family and Medical leave. Despite conservative opposition, Minnesota will now establish a state-administered paid leave insurance program where everyone contributes, and everyone benefits.
Historic Investments in Housing
Governor Walz and progressives in the Minnesota House and Senate passed and signed a budget into law, making historic investments in housing!
The budget commits to ending family and child homelessness, ensures Minnesota kids are safe from lead exposure in their homes, and includes funding to assist more than 4,000 new first-generation homeowners.
Investing in Higher Education
Governor Walz signed a record investment in Minnesota higher education programs. Under this new budget, students with a household income under $80,000 can attend Minnesota colleges and universities for free!
Not only does this measure help mitigate the financial barrier to higher education, but progressives are hopeful that with financial support, Minnesota colleges will be able to fight declining enrollment and help alleviate the state’s labor shortage.
Supporting our Public Schools
In a momentous victory for students across the state, progressives in the Minnesota House and Senate passed a budget that makes record investments in Minnesota public schools!
The bill includes unprecedented investment in school-based mental health and student support personnel. Not to mention funding to provide free menstrual products in public schools and invest in new reading reform programs to keep Minnesota students thriving in the classroom.
Building a Better Minnesota
Seeing what can be achieved under progressive leadership has truly been inspiring.
We’re floored by the progress made in just five months of a session from legalizing marijuana, codifying abortion rights, and securing paid time off for Minnesota workers.
It’s only the beginning. Sign up to stay up-to-date on important news and opportunities to get involved.
