The Minnesota legislative session ended this week, and our progressive leaders put in the work to fight back against Donald Trump and Minnesota conservatives’ harmful agenda. At a time when Donald Trump and conservatives want to put billionaires and corporations above the needs of our schools, health care, and communities, here are three concrete steps that progressives took this year to stand up for working Minnesotans:
1. Protecting People, not Corporate Power
Conservatives in Congress are working on a bill that would take away Medicaid coverage from hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans and result in higher fees when they go to the doctor, all to give trillions in tax breaks to corporations and billionaires like Elon Musk. This session, progressives in the Minnesota House took matters into their own hands and introduced the “Protect Medicaid, Not Millionaires” Act. This bill aimed to supplement funding for Medicaid in Minnesota if federal cuts are passed. 1 in 5 Minnesotans get their health care through Medicaid, including 41% of children. Preserving our neighbors’ access to health care is essential, and conservatives are doing all they can to take it away.
Additionally, our progressive legislators stood up to big business when they successfully protected the statewide ban on noncompete agreements. Noncompete clauses suppress wages and competition and only serve the interests of corporations and billionaire CEOs. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that these agreements cost workers more than $250 billion per year. Protecting Minnesota’s ban on noncompete clauses is a win for all working families.
2. Standing up for Public Education
Minnesota schools, teachers, and students rely on federal and state funding to keep schools open and kids safe. When Trump gutted the Department of Education, he put Minnesota public schools at risk of having to cut classroom programs, special education, mental health, and disability services, lay off teachers, and increase class sizes.
Fortunately, progressives were able to protect Universal School Meals. Thanks to their efforts, every public school student in Minnesota will continue to get the nutrition they need for a successful school day. Progressives were also able to secure some of the necessary education funding to help fill the gap left by Donald Trump’s cruel and reckless cuts.
3. The Job Board for Fired Federal Workers
When Donald Trump laid off thousands of federal workers, Governor Walz stepped in to help people get back on their feet. He announced a job board and resource page for federal employees who have lost their jobs or are facing employment uncertainty. This compassion and care for our community is what we can expect from our progressive leaders in Minnesota.
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