Minnesota budget deal sparks controversy amid undocumented immigrant health care cuts
SAINT PAUL — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders announced a budget agreement Thursday, May 15, but not everyone is thrilled with the deal.
While party leaders discussed the proposal, a group of DFL lawmakers drowned out those speaking at the Thursday morning presser. These chants included "Don't kill immigrants" and "You're killing our communities." At times, these protesters pounded on the doors of the Governor's Reception Room, where the news conference was held.
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These lawmakers protested removing undocumented adult immigrants from MinnesotaCare coverage. Lawmakers say the health care cut is to reduce government spending, as the budget is expected to be $66 billion to $67 billion — roughly $5 billion less than the current two-year budget.
"It's not a measure of being uncaring. It's a fiscal issue, and there are still opportunities (for) those Minnesotans that are here," House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said. "Those that are here illegally, they can still join the private market, so it's not that health care is being denied in any way."
Demuth said more than 20,000 people joined the program, compared to the projected 5,700 people. MinnesotaCare coverage is expected to continue for undocumented children. There are an estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in the North Star State.
House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman said coverage for undocumented adults is expected to end Dec. 31. The program went into effect this past January.
Members of the Minnesota Senate and House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus held a separate press conference Thursday afternoon, condemning the undocumented immigrant health care cuts, alongside other supporting legislators.
"There is no fiscal responsibility when you do this," State Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, said. "When we take away people's health care they end up in the emergency department. It costs more money for everyone in our community. It costs hospitals more money. It puts our health care system in disarray."
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On Thursday morning, the St. Cloud Times didn't see any St. Cloud area lawmakers participating in the protest. Some protesting lawmakers include Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-Saint Paul; Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley; and Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis.
The Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate must pass the proposed budget. Since there are only four days left in the legislative session, lawmakers say a special session could be on the horizon.
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A prospective special session comes as Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, didn't sign the agreement, and several DFL Minnesota Senate members are protesting the deal. The DFL has a one-seat Senate majority.
"While the final deal includes some needed reforms, it falls short of acknowledging we need bipartisan support to stop the harmful progressive policies hurting small businesses and working families," Johnson wrote.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Democrat protesters drown out Gov. Tim Walz during budget conference
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