Sen. Wiklund

With Federal Funding Ending, Minnesota Steps Up with Great Start Compensation Support Program says Senator Melissa H. Wiklund

2023 session included significant support for child care needs across Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – As federal funding in the form of Child Care Stabilization Grants comes to an end on September 30, Minnesota will step up to fill this gap with a new, innovative, state-led solution as the Great Start Compensation Support Program comes online. This program will provide $316.1 million in direct payments to eligible child care providers to increase their compensation and benefits.

Senate Passes Transformative Health and Human Services Conference Committee Report authored by Senator Melissa Wiklund

$3.5 billion bill improves health care access, removes barriers, and strengthens child care options 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesotans would have better access and face fewer barriers to high-quality, affordable healthcare and child care throughout Minnesota thanks to the passage of the Health and Human Services Conference Committee Report authored by Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) Monday, which passed in a 34-33 vote.

Senate Passes Senator Melissa Wiklund’s $1.5 Billion Health and Human Services Budget Prioritizing Healthcare and Child Care Access and Affordability

Package includes historic commitment to streamlining services for children and families

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesotans would have better access and face fewer barriers to high-quality, affordable healthcare throughout Minnesota thanks to the Health and Human Services Budget put forward by Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) which passed off the Senate floor Wednesday. The $1.5 billion bill, which passed on a bipartisan vote of 35-32, is a transformational package of legislation that will improve health outcomes said Sen. Wiklund.

Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic Says Two More Strongly Bipartisan Measures Pass Senate Monday

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL-Minneapolis) said today the Senate has passed two more strongly-bipartisan bills: Senator Lindsey Port’s (DFL-Burnsville) bill to prevent families with children from becoming homeless, and Senator Melissa Wiklund’s (DFL-Bloomington) bill to ensure continued health care coverage for 1.5 million Minnesotans who use Medicaid and MinnesotaCare.

House and Senate consider proposed new Department of Children, Youth, and Families

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, in simultaneous hearings, the House Children and Families Committee and Senate Health and Human Services Committee considered legislation proposed by the Walz-Flanagan Administration and authored by committee chairs Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL-Saint Paul) and Senator Melissa Wiklund (DFL-Bloomington) to establish a new state agency, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.