Friends and neighbors,

We are in the final days of the 2025 legislative session, with the Minnesota Legislature set to adjourn a week from this coming Monday. This week in the Senate, we debated several important budget and policy packages on the floor, including the Human Services budget.

I opposed this legislation because it makes over $1 billion in cuts to long-term care and disability services over the next four years. The budget also fails to adequately address ongoing waste, fraud, and abuse within state programs administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. I supported several Republican-led amendments to strengthen accountability and improve oversight. However, a key Republican proposal, using AI tools to detect fraud and better protect taxpayer dollars, was unfortunately rejected by Senate Democrats.

I also strongly opposed Senate Democrats’ decision to preserve taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants. Since the program’s launch in January, enrollment has tripled original projections, and costs are now expected to exceed $600 million. I supported efforts to repeal this expansion and redirect those funds to support nursing homes and disability services instead, but Senate Democrats blocked debate on the issue.

A notable amendment that Senate Republicans added to the bill eliminates harmful cost shifts to counties that would have increased the burden on property taxpayers. Without this fix, local governments were facing $192 million in added costs, potentially triggering property tax hikes of 5% to 10% in many communities. The proposal right-sizes eligibility of the CADI waiver, prioritizing those with the highest needs and finding efficiencies in licensing and assessment processes. These savings will eliminate the county cost shifts, restore rates for disproportionate share facilities, and reinstate family foster care rates.

I will continue to fight for policies that put Minnesotans first through responsible budgeting, robust fraud prevention, and compassionate care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Please join me in wishing Moms across Minnesota a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Contact Me 

I want to hear from you, my constituents, on issues that are important to you. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. You can contact my office at Sen.Bruce.Anderson@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce Anderson