Sponsor: County Manager's Office
Title
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2026 Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the 2026 Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform.
2. Authorize Ramsey County representatives to work with members of the U.S. Congress 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 amended the platform and voted to approve the platform as amended and to recommend its submittal to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners.
The amendment added the following item: Support legislation allowing Medicaid/Medicare funding to pay for all billable medical services for incarcerated individuals.
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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 food, health care, and affordable, stable housing.
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.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Some of the positions in the federal platform may have financial implications and may require state and/or county appropriations if legislation is enacted. The platform items that require county expenditures may do so in the form of federally imposed eligibility requirements, a required local funding match, 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 Federal Legislative Platform with amendment (Resolution B2025-207).
On October 21, 2025, a Ramsey County Board workshop was held on the 2026 state and federal legislative platforms.
Attachments
1. Ramsey County 2026 Federal Legislative Platform