ST. PAUL, Minn. — After the 2025 special session adjourned, the Senate Blue Dog Coalition celebrate legislative accomplishments. The group of legislators represent a diverse range of communities from urban, suburban, regional hubs, and rural towns.
Members of the Blue Dog Coalition released the following statement:
“We sought to advance pragmatic and balanced policies this session and bridge divides to serve all Minnesotans, regardless of political affiliation. We are proud of the successes we accomplished in the 2025 Session that will support working families, small businesses, and communities in every corner of our state. Throughout this work, we are proud to have protected historic accomplishments like universal school meals, 100% carbon free energy by 2040, a global leading PFAS ban, investments in EMS, eliminating social security taxes for 80% of seniors, and much more.”
Blue Dog Coalition achievements this session include:
- Data Center Framework: This burgeoning industry will create thousands of good-paying construction, engineering, and infrastructure jobs, and contribute to local property taxes. Blue Dog Coalition members championed a clear framework for data centers in Minnesota that will require clean energy commitments and a best-in-the-nation environmental review process prior to construction to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
- Bonding Bill: Since the start of session, Blue Dog Coalition members have been advocating for a robust bonding bill to serve communities across Minnesota with important infrastructure projects, create jobs, and save the state money as construction costs rise. We passed a $700 million infrastructure bill that will invest in clean drinking water and working sewers for every Minnesotan, repair crumbling classrooms in colleges and universities, and create thousands of jobs for workers. With federal funding under threat and costs rising, this was a critical way to invest in urgent, shovel-ready projects and protect our future.
- Fiscal Responsibility: The Blue Dog Coalition called for budget reductions as the 2025 session kicked off, and now as our budget passes the floor, we are making $1.3 billion in reductions from the General Fund, and cutting our structural imbalance by 45%. We are proud to be making thoughtful reductions and cost saving measures while preserving important accomplishments to put Minnesota on the right fiscal track for the future.
- Reinsurance: The legislature funded Reinsurance, or the Minnesota Premium Security Plan, through 2027. Reinsurance lowers healthcare costs for people on state-regulated private healthcare plans.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel: In 2023 The legislature passed a Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit to attract development and jobs in this exciting new industry. Senator Rob Kupec led on updating this tax credit to ensure that any unused funds in this tax credit roll over to future years.
- Earned Sick and Safe Time Modifications: The Jobs and Labor budget contains administrative modifications to Minnesota’s Earned Sick and Safe Time law. These are common sense adjustments that maintain workers’ ability to use their earned time for their health and safety, while helping employers operate smoothly when employees need to use their benefits.
The legislature adjourned special session in the early hours of June 10, having passed all budget bills for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Blue Dog Coalition members include Senator Matt Klein (DFL – Mendota Heights), Senator Nick Frentz (DFL – North Mankato), Senator Rob Kupec (DFL – Moorhead), Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL – Hermantown), Senator John Hoffman (DFL – Brooklyn Park), Senator Ann Rest (DFL – New Hope), Senator Aric Putnam (DFL – Saint Cloud), Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL – Afton).
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and Rules and Administration Committees.
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Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee. He serves on the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and Taxes Committee.
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