Paid family and medical leave for all Minnesotans… expand pre-kindergarten… allow anyone to buy health insurance through Minnesotacare — among Minnesota Democrats’ top priorities as they go on the campaign trail. To move that agenda in 2021, they must keep their majority in the Minnesota House and take control of the state Senate — which Minority Leader Susan Kent contends is do-able. She says, “Key districts around the state — like up in Bemidji, when you look at Rochester, when you look at Saint Cloud — these are districts that very easily could be represented effectively by D-F-Lers and we believe that we have strong opportunities there and very strong, vocal candidates.”
Many of Democrats’ objectives require significant funding at a time when the state budget faces a large deficit. House Democratic Majority Leader Ryan Winkler says, “We’re not gonna pass tax increases on people who can’t afford it.” Democrats say the richest Minnesotans and largest corporations must pay their fair share so everyone has the opportunity for a better future.