Legislative Update
Hi friends,
We’re officially back in session, and I’m proud to say that House Republicans have hit the ground running!
You can click on the photo below to watch my brief legislative update from our first week back in St. Paul. I’m excited to share what we’ve been working on and what’s ahead for Minnesota.
 I’m also looking forward to continuing my work as Committee Chair of the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee. We got back to work this week, and there’s a lot of ground to cover! Click the photo below to catch my opening remarks. I was happy to help set the tone for a productive, fiscally responsible session, one where we can support Minnesota businesses and help them thrive.
 Looking ahead to next week, we’ll get an update from DEED on Paid Family and Medical Leave, now that we’re two months into the rollout. It’s going to be a fantastic opportunity to hear feedback, suggest tweaks, and ask important questions—like, are people experiencing long wait times? How is the integration process going? Etc.
We’ll also hear from education testifiers to see how PFML is working in schools. Educators are already running into challenges, and as we all know, Minnesota continues to face a teacher shortage. This legislation is far from perfect, but I can assure you we’re doing everything we can to fine-tune it so that it can work for everyone.
Two Months In: Listening to Local Employers on Paid Family & Medical Leave
Minnesota’s new Family & Medical Leave law went into effect on January 1, and now that we’re two months into implementation, the feedback from businesses across our state has been incredibly important.
While many employers understand the intent behind the program, what we continue to hear is that the rollout felt rushed and the policy was presented as a one-size-fits-all solution. The challenge is clear: what may be manageable for a Fortune 500 company like Target, with more than 440,000 employees worldwide, looks very different for a small business with 15 employees trying to cover shifts and keep the doors open. Those differing realities matter.
That’s why it was so valuable to host the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce alongside Representative Jeff Witte (R-Lakeville) and hear directly from local business leaders about their experiences with the rollout. These are the voices we need at the table—employers who are navigating these policies in real time and working hard to support their employees while keeping their businesses strong.
Moving Forward With Hope
 I want to close out this week’s newsletter with a few words of encouragement for those back home in the district and for folks across our great state who may be tuning in to this week's newsletter.
We began the 2026 session on Tuesday with a remembrance ceremony honoring our dear Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Melissa was a remarkable leader whose strength, grace, and steady presence I deeply admired. The day was filled with emotion. After a year marked by many tragedies and heartbreak for our state, it can sometimes feel difficult to see the light ahead.
But as I left the chamber that day, I felt a renewed sense of hope.
When we as elected officials can set aside our differences and hang on to the thread of our shared humanity—when we choose to care for one another first—we are capable of governing Minnesota better. We are capable of building a brighter, more prosperous future for everyone who calls this state home.
That is the spirit I am carrying into this session, and I look forward to doing just that.
Sincerely,
Representative Dave Baker
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