Sponsor: Policy & Planning
Title
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2025 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the 2025 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform.
2. Authorize Ramsey County representatives to work with members of the 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 October 15, 2024, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held a workshop on the 2025 State and Federal Legislative Platforms. Government Relations staff presented an analysis of the upcoming state legislative session as well as proposed draft platform items for discussion by the members of the board.
In preparation for the review of the proposed platform by the Legislative Committee of the Whole, Government Relations staff have included in the latest draft suggested changes from the commissioners and further input from department leadership staff. The 2025 State Legislative Platform draft includes Legislative Guiding Principles, Ramsey Funding and Policy Priorities, Bonding Proposals and a statement of support for platforms of named organizations.
The Legislative Committee of the Whole reviews the draft Ramsey County State Legislative Platform and recommends its submittal to the Ramsey County Board. The Ramsey County Board is scheduled to provide final approval on both the state and legislative platforms on November 19. The documents presented here are drafts. Underlined text represents language to be added and stricken text represents language to be deleted.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The racial equity impacts of each item or position included in the draft of the 2025 State Legislative Platform were considered as part of the solicitation for proposed items and positions from service teams, departments and staff. Most of the proposed items have direct impact 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, stable housing, childcare subsidies, employment opportunities and program and service refinements designed to positively engage cultural values. These efforts are reflected in the proposed top legislative priorities of the platform draft, which include housing stability and affordability and addressing racial disparities.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Government Relations will share the 2025 State Legislative Platform with appropriate Ramsey County advisory committees. This platform will also be discussed with other county organizations and advocacy groups.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Many of 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 October 15, 2024, a Ramsey County Board workshop was held on the State and Federal Legislative Platforms.
Attachments
1. Draft 2025 State Legislative Platform
2. 2025 Legislative Platform Review Presentation