Protestors at Minnesota capitol decry repeal of undocumented immigrants’ health coverage
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Update: Minnesota Legislature passes repeal of state health insurance for undocumented adults
Three bills headed to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk as of 5 p.m. Monday. HF1 repeals coverage for undocumented immigrant adults under MinnesotaCare. SF3 consists of the state’s environment and natural resources budget. HF16 includes a provision to require data centers to communicate with the Department of Natural Resources on water usage in the state before 2042. If passed as introduced, the bill would also repeal the electricity tax exemption for data centers for 20 years, or until 2042 — whichever is later, not earlier, if passed. The repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults passed the House around 2 p.M. in a 68-65 vote. The bill now heads to the House where it will be voted on by a vote of up to 100. The People of Color and Indigenous Caucus held a press conference first thing Monday morning, decrying the repeal ofMinnesotaCare for illegal immigrants. The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee also protested the bill. The protest featured roughly 20 individuals objecting to provisions surrounding data centers.
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Legislature has so far passed three of the 14 pre-negotiated bills set for consideration during Monday’s special session.
ADVERTISEMENT
Three bills were headed to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk as of 5 p.m. Monday: HF1 repeals coverage for undocumented immigrant adults under MinnesotaCare, HF3 encompasses the state’s health budget and SF3 consists of the state’s environment and natural resources budget, which includes provisions to streamline the state’s environmental permitting process.
The Senate also passed SF17 , the state’s jobs and labor budget, which includes modifications to the state’s safe and sick time law . The changes include allowing employers to require up to seven days notice for foreseeable sick and safe time use. It will also allow employers to request “reasonable documentation” if leave exceeds two consecutive workdays. The bill now heads to the House.
The repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults passed the House around 2 p.m. in a 68-65 vote. House Leader Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, issued the sole Democratic yes vote.
The measure passed the Senate around 5 p.m. in a 37-34 vote, with four yes votes from Democrats: Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul; Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown; Sen. Rob Kupec, DFL-Moorhead; and Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope.
As part of a budget deal struck by leaders and Walz on May 15, Murphy and Hortman agreed to be the sole Democratic votes, if necessary, to pass the repeal. Murphy said on the floor before casting her vote that “I will vote for this but it is one of the most painful votes I’ve ever taken.”
Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, talks against the repeal of coverage for undocumented adults under MinnesotaCare on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
The People of Color and Indigenous Caucus held a press conference first thing Monday morning, decrying the repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults.
“Today, of course, is the day the Republicans are going to kill people,” Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, said Monday. “Breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, all of these things will go undiagnosed and people will die … I would like to say that is a sad day in Minnesota, but truly, it is a disgusting day in Minnesota.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Chair of the Health Finance Committee, Rep. Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, talks repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
Chair of the House Health Finance Committee, Rep. Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, said the bill is “about being fiscally responsible.”
“If we look at other states … Gov. Newsom announced a pause in adult enrollment starting January 1 of 2026 because it’s getting out of control if we stay on the same path that we are right now,” Backer said on the floor Monday. “I know there will be people who will stand up today and say us Republicans want to hurt individuals, that is so far from the truth, folks, if we do not focus on the Minnesota health care system … the whole system will go into cardiac arrest, and that doesn’t help anybody. We need to focus on helping our lawful Minnesotans.”
Protesters gather outside the Minnesota House Chamber against the repeal of MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrant adults on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
Monday morning featured two small protests in the Capitol rotunda. One consisted of less than a dozen individuals with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee over the health care for undocumented adults. The other protest featured roughly 20 individuals objecting to provisions surrounding data centers reached in budget negotiations and set to pass in HF16 on Monday.
Under current law, Data centers in Minnesota get a sales tax exemption on software, hardware and electricity for 20 years, or until 2042, whichever comes earlier. Monday’s bill, HF16, would change this to 35 years or until 2042 — whichever is later, not earlier. If passed as introduced, the bill would also repeal the tax exemption for electricity.
Protesters gather outside the House Chamber against tax exemptions for data centers on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
As an environmental guardrail, the data center bill also includes a provision to require the centers to communicate with the Department of Natural Resources on water usage earlier in the permitting process, Rep. Patty Acomb, DFL-Minnetonka, said on Monday.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Acomb said. “We’re partway there, but it’s not, in my opinion, and I think in Minnesotans’ opinions, strong enough environmental protections.”
A deal signed by Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders on Friday , June 6, said that lawmakers will not take up bills other than the 14 pre-negotiated bills — unless otherwise agreed upon by leaders.
ADVERTISEMENT
As of Monday evening, several bills outside the scope of Friday’s deal had been introduced, including a bill to bar transgender women and girls from female sports, and a resolution to “fully fund Medicaid.” It’s unclear whether leaders will take any of these up on the floor Monday.
Monday’s special session comes after weeks of closed-door negotiations following the regular session adjournment on May 19. During the regular session , the Legislature passed seven of 17 budget bills and signed 26 stand-alone bills into law, including teacher pension reform, DWI reform, closure of the Stillwater prison and a new state fossil — the Giant Beaver.
Most of the bills ahead of lawmakers on Monday consist of budget bills. Lawmakers are also taking up a $700 million bonding bill and tax and policy provisions regarding data centers.
Leaders struck a budget deal on May 15 for what is looking to be a $66-67 billion state budget for 2026-27, with $2 billion in net cuts over four years. Cuts are coming in heaving for the state budget as lawmakers stare down a $6 billion deficit projected by 2028-29.
Monday’s one-day special session is set to be concluded by Tuesday at 7 a.m.
This story was updated at 6:44 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025. Stay tuned for updates on the special session of the Minnesota Legislature.
Update: Minnesota Legislature passes repeal of state health insurance for undocumented adults
Three bills headed to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk as of 5 p.m. Monday. HF1 repeals coverage for undocumented immigrant adults under MinnesotaCare. SF3 consists of the state’s environment and natural resources budget. HF16 includes a provision to require data centers to communicate with the Department of Natural Resources on water usage in the state before 2042. If passed as introduced, the bill would also repeal the electricity tax exemption for data centers for 20 years, or until 2042 — whichever is later, not earlier, if passed. The repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults passed the House around 2 p.M. in a 68-65 vote. The bill now heads to the House where it will be voted on by a vote of up to 100. The People of Color and Indigenous Caucus held a press conference first thing Monday morning, decrying the repeal ofMinnesotaCare for illegal immigrants. The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee also protested the bill. The protest featured roughly 20 individuals objecting to provisions surrounding data centers.
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Legislature has so far passed three of the 14 pre-negotiated bills set for consideration during Monday’s special session.
ADVERTISEMENT
Three bills were headed to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk as of 5 p.m. Monday: HF1 repeals coverage for undocumented immigrant adults under MinnesotaCare, HF3 encompasses the state’s health budget and SF3 consists of the state’s environment and natural resources budget, which includes provisions to streamline the state’s environmental permitting process.
The Senate also passed SF17 , the state’s jobs and labor budget, which includes modifications to the state’s safe and sick time law . The changes include allowing employers to require up to seven days notice for foreseeable sick and safe time use. It will also allow employers to request “reasonable documentation” if leave exceeds two consecutive workdays. The bill now heads to the House.
The repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults passed the House around 2 p.m. in a 68-65 vote. House Leader Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, issued the sole Democratic yes vote.
The measure passed the Senate around 5 p.m. in a 37-34 vote, with four yes votes from Democrats: Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul; Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown; Sen. Rob Kupec, DFL-Moorhead; and Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope.
As part of a budget deal struck by leaders and Walz on May 15, Murphy and Hortman agreed to be the sole Democratic votes, if necessary, to pass the repeal. Murphy said on the floor before casting her vote that “I will vote for this but it is one of the most painful votes I’ve ever taken.”
Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, talks against the repeal of coverage for undocumented adults under MinnesotaCare on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
The People of Color and Indigenous Caucus held a press conference first thing Monday morning, decrying the repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults.
“Today, of course, is the day the Republicans are going to kill people,” Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, said Monday. “Breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, all of these things will go undiagnosed and people will die … I would like to say that is a sad day in Minnesota, but truly, it is a disgusting day in Minnesota.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Chair of the Health Finance Committee, Rep. Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, talks repeal of MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
Chair of the House Health Finance Committee, Rep. Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, said the bill is “about being fiscally responsible.”
“If we look at other states … Gov. Newsom announced a pause in adult enrollment starting January 1 of 2026 because it’s getting out of control if we stay on the same path that we are right now,” Backer said on the floor Monday. “I know there will be people who will stand up today and say us Republicans want to hurt individuals, that is so far from the truth, folks, if we do not focus on the Minnesota health care system … the whole system will go into cardiac arrest, and that doesn’t help anybody. We need to focus on helping our lawful Minnesotans.”
Protesters gather outside the Minnesota House Chamber against the repeal of MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrant adults on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
Monday morning featured two small protests in the Capitol rotunda. One consisted of less than a dozen individuals with the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee over the health care for undocumented adults. The other protest featured roughly 20 individuals objecting to provisions surrounding data centers reached in budget negotiations and set to pass in HF16 on Monday.
Under current law, Data centers in Minnesota get a sales tax exemption on software, hardware and electricity for 20 years, or until 2042, whichever comes earlier. Monday’s bill, HF16, would change this to 35 years or until 2042 — whichever is later, not earlier. If passed as introduced, the bill would also repeal the tax exemption for electricity.
Protesters gather outside the House Chamber against tax exemptions for data centers on Monday, June 9, 2025. Mary Murphy / Forum News Service
As an environmental guardrail, the data center bill also includes a provision to require the centers to communicate with the Department of Natural Resources on water usage earlier in the permitting process, Rep. Patty Acomb, DFL-Minnetonka, said on Monday.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Acomb said. “We’re partway there, but it’s not, in my opinion, and I think in Minnesotans’ opinions, strong enough environmental protections.”
A deal signed by Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders on Friday , June 6, said that lawmakers will not take up bills other than the 14 pre-negotiated bills — unless otherwise agreed upon by leaders.
ADVERTISEMENT
As of Monday evening, several bills outside the scope of Friday’s deal had been introduced, including a bill to bar transgender women and girls from female sports, and a resolution to “fully fund Medicaid.” It’s unclear whether leaders will take any of these up on the floor Monday.
Monday’s special session comes after weeks of closed-door negotiations following the regular session adjournment on May 19. During the regular session , the Legislature passed seven of 17 budget bills and signed 26 stand-alone bills into law, including teacher pension reform, DWI reform, closure of the Stillwater prison and a new state fossil — the Giant Beaver.
Most of the bills ahead of lawmakers on Monday consist of budget bills. Lawmakers are also taking up a $700 million bonding bill and tax and policy provisions regarding data centers.
Leaders struck a budget deal on May 15 for what is looking to be a $66-67 billion state budget for 2026-27, with $2 billion in net cuts over four years. Cuts are coming in heaving for the state budget as lawmakers stare down a $6 billion deficit projected by 2028-29.
Monday’s one-day special session is set to be concluded by Tuesday at 7 a.m.
This story was updated at 6:44 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025. Stay tuned for updates on the special session of the Minnesota Legislature.