Legislative Committee of the Whole Meeting – November 4, 2025: Approval of 2026 State and Federal Legislative Platforms

The Legislative Committee of the Whole met on November 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. to review and vote on the 2026 Ramsey County State and Federal Legislative Platforms. The meeting included approval of the agenda and previous minutes, detailed discussion of platform priorities, and unanimous votes on both platforms with an amendment to add elimination of the Medicaid exclusion for incarcerated individuals.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the November 4, 2025 agenda: Motion by an unnamed member, seconded, roll call vote: all ayes (Commissioners Chapin Singh, McMurtry, Miller, Moran, Ortega, Zhang, McGuire).
• Approval of the minutes from November 5, 2024: Motion and second, roll call vote: all ayes (same commissioners).

Discussion Items

• 2026 State Legislative Platform: Director of Government Relations Jennifer O'Rourke presented the platform, highlighting pursuit items (Park at River's Edge $20 million, Aldrich Arena $8.5 million), leading advocate items, and support items. Commissioner Jebinsing asked about the process for crafting bill language, and staff explained the partnership with the county attorney's office and legislative nonpartisan resources. Commissioner Moran asked about MAFA funding extension, and staff clarified a six-month extension is sought for the 2.5 million grant, plus moving case reviews to the state. Commissioner Jebinsing also inquired about the item on increased access to secure mental health treatment in the East Metro; staff noted ongoing collaboration with the county attorney's office and courts.
• 2026 Federal Legislative Platform: Director O'Rourke presented the federal platform, which included items on SNAP, Medicaid, workforce, emergency management, homelessness, and affordable housing (CDBG, HOME, tenant-based rental assistance). Commissioner McMurtry confirmed tenant-based rental assistance refers to Section 8 vouchers. Commissioner Zhang proposed adding the elimination of the Medicaid exclusion for incarcerated individuals to the federal platform, noting the cost falls on counties. Discussion followed on the long-standing barrier of federal funding; staff and commissioners explored incremental approaches and mentioned state-level workarounds. The committee agreed to highlight this issue in both platforms.
• Federal project funding: Commissioner McMurtry asked about the process for selecting projects for congressionally directed spending (CPF). Staff indicated they will work with the county manager and executive team to develop a selection process and noted past success with public safety projects.
• Future strategy workshop: Commissioner Zhang requested a deeper workshop on legislative strategy, partners, and authors. The chair agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss implementation details.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve the 2026 Ramsey County State Legislative Platform, as amended to include elimination of the Medicaid exclusion for incarcerated individuals. Roll call vote: all ayes (Commissioners Jebin Singh, McMurtry, Miller, Moran, Ortega, Zhang, McGuire). Unanimous.
• Motion to approve the 2026 Ramsey County Federal Legislative Platform, as amended to include the same Medicaid exclusion issue. Roll call vote: all ayes. Unanimous.
• Both platforms will be forwarded to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval on November 18, 2025.
• Staff will schedule a workshop on legislative strategy and tactics, and will provide a summary chart identifying lead organizations for support items.