Sponsor: County Manager's Office
Title
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2026 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the 2026 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform.
2. Authorize Ramsey County representatives to work with members of the Minnesota State Legislature and other interested parties to promote legislation reflective of the positions contained in the platform.
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Background and Rationale
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On November 4, 2025, Government Relations staff presented the draft 2026 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform to the Legislative Committee of the Whole for final review. The Legislative Committee of the Whole voted to approve the platform and to recommend its submittal to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Members of the Legislative Platform Advisory Teams, as well as Ramsey County leaders, considered the racial equity impacts of proposed legislative priorities as part of the input and review process. Most of the proposed items have direct impacts on racial equity, particularly those items that provide increased access to services or benefits specifically targeted to low-income individuals, families or communities, which disproportionately include more people of color and American Indians. These services or opportunities include improved access to health care, family support services, and stable housing. These efforts are reflected in the proposed top legislative priorities of the platform draft, which include measures to facilitate implementation of Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, establishing a statewide homelessness funding program, modernization of the State’s Health and Human Services systems, improvements in services to treat mental health and substance abuse, and improvements to public safety.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Government Relations has met with relevant Ramsey County advisory committees to share the platform development process and to gather input for the draft platform. Additionally, Government Relations continually engages with key stakeholder organizations and advocacy groups in the community. Staff will also hold Ramsey County legislative delegation meetings before the start of the 2026 Session to hear from legislators regarding issues of importance to Ramsey County communities.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Many of the positions in the state platform have financial implications and would require state and/or county appropriations if legislation is enacted. The platform items that require county expenditures may do so in the form of a state-imposed maintenance of effort, a required local funding match (which is common for bonding projects), or through a new or revised operating cost. When there are implications for the current budget, necessary budget adjustments can be brought before the Ramsey County Board through a request for board action; through adjustment to the current fiscal county budget; or through changes to the Capital Improvement Plan, depending on the specifics of the funding change.
Last Previous Action
On November 4, 2025, the Ramsey County Legislative Committee of the Whole approved the 2026 State Legislative Platform (Resolution B2025-206).
On October 21, 2025, a Ramsey County Board workshop was held on the 2026 State Legislative Platform.
Attachments
1. Ramsey County 2026 State Legislative Platform