OUR RESULTS IN 2026:

Housing and Homelessness-Success!

The JRLC advocated for an increase of $40 million in funding for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) to improve housing stability and reduce homelessness, as well as $100 million in Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs) to build and maintain affordable housing o build and maintain affordable housing throughout Minnesota. Both of these measures passed!

Online Gambling-Success!

The JRLC opposed the expansion of online gambling by advocating against the online sports betting bill and supporting a bill that would ban prediction markets in Minnesota as a form of unregulated online gambling. The sports betting legalization bill did not make progress this session, and the prediction markets ban passed, both “wins” for our coalition!

Food Security-Did Not Pass.

The JRLC introduced a bill increasing state funding for the Minnesota Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program by $500,000, providing grants to soup kitchens and food shelves to purchase produce from local farmers and distribute it free of charge to their communities. 

This bill advanced through committee but was not included in the final Agriculture omnibus bill due to a lack of available funding this session. 

Dignity in Foster Care-Did Not Pass.

The JRLC introduced a bill banning the use of trash bags when transferring youth in foster care between homes and would also require that these children be provided appropriate luggage. This issue came to our attention after the legislative session was underway, so the bill did not meet committee deadlines. However, we received very positive, bipartisan feedback on this issue, and it may remain on our policy priorities for 2027!