1.  You welcomed a child in 2025,
2. You want to start your leave in the next 60 days,
3. You want to take leave in one block of time, and
4. You notify your employer before you apply.

If you need a different schedule or are planning to use both Bonding Leave and Medical Leave, you’ll be able to apply starting January 1, 2026. 

This early application window is a chance for Minnesota parents to line up support and spend more uninterrupted time with their newborns during such an important state. 

Medical Leave 

For your own serious health condition. This can include pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, a chronic condition, injury, or other need your provider certifies. 

Family Leave 

• To bond with a child through birth, adoption, or foster placement 

• To care for a family member with a serious health condition 

• To support a military family member called to active duty 

• To respond to certain personal safety issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, for you or a family member. 

To prepare to make use of the program, visit the “Get ready to apply” page at pl.mn.gov/individuals/get-ready-apply. Because most Paid Leave requires pre-approval (except in the case of an unforeseen emergency), it’s important to set up your account ahead of time so you’re ready when you need it. 

Minnesota Management and Budget released an updated economic forecast for Minnesota’s budget-planning purposes last week. The forecast shows that strong fiscal management prioritized in recent years has helped – the state has a roughly $2 billion surplus for the current budget period and more than $3 million in the reserves, the state’s savings account. However, there is a projected budget imbalance in the 2028-2029 budget cycle, largely due to punitive and harmful federal decisions that are increasing costs and reducing services for many state programs. 

We have done good work in Minnesota these past three years, investing $10 billion into education and healthcare, and another $4 billion in tax savings for working parents and people on Social Security. We did our part, but we don’t govern or budget alone. There are many threats coming out of Washington that could potentially affect the good work, and those cuts and defunding actions certainly exacerbate economic instability and a future deficit. 

The affordability crisis is real, from the grocery store to the pharmacy, the toy store and college tuition, along with healthcare rates that are doubling for many Minnesotans. These are the real challenges not just for state government, but local, and county-level government and school districts are beginning to grapple with. The budget forecast is a snapshot that gives us an idea of what type of economic circumstances we should plan for. It is the Legislature's job this coming year to do everything we can to fight against this grift and demand that those who control Washington put tax dollars we send to the Federal government back into Minnesota's communities and households. 

Last week, President Trump used dehumanizing language to refer to our Somali friends, family, and neighbors. Despite what the President claims, no human being is “garbage,” and these hurtful and divisive remarks must be condemned by all of us. This kind of hateful rhetoric is dangerous, ignorant, and beneath the office of the President. It goes against everything we stand for as Minnesotans. We value and respect everyone, no matter your gender, race, creed, or zip code.

I am proud of the way DFLers are standing united with our immigrant neighbors and new Americans and how we care for our neighbors - we shovel the sidewalks for them, help push their cars out of the snow, lend a hand when they’re in need, and we certainly don’t call them “garbage.” We must reject and condemn those who weaponize hatred and ignorance in order to divide us. 

The recent news stories about fraud against government programs in Minnesota have been deeply concerning. We are a state that prioritizes programs that help all of our residents live their best lives possible. To see fraudsters purposely target and take advantage of programs that are intended to help those who need it most is extremely troubling.

Unfortunately, this trend is not new nor unique to our state. The rapid advancements in technology and AI in recent years has made it easier for bad actors to operate not just here in Minnesota, but other states as well. That’s why my colleagues and I have been working for the past three years to pass fraud-detection and prevention policies that we’re seeing at work now – we are catching fraudsters, and those stories are making the news

In the 2024 session I created an Office of Inspector General position within the Department of Education to empower the Department to have the authority to pause and investigate questionable activity. Last session at the legislature we appropriated significant funding to fight fraud across agencies. This included hiring more than 50 new employees to detect and prevent fraud, and funding for the Department of Human Services to contract with a third-party auditor, which Governor Walz just announced this fall. In fact, this Senate DFL Majority has imposed more scrutiny and built more guardrails to stop fraud than any legislature in state history. I also voted to create a statewide Office of Inspector General this last session, a bill that passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. I will be advocating for this bill again during the next legislative session to add another layer of oversight to taxpayer-funded programs.

My colleagues and I will be focused on ensuring any new preventative actions are effective without diminishing a program’s goals. The DFL solution to fraud is to strengthen program integrity and accountability measures – not remove services from people who need them. It’s important to remember that these services are meant to help Minnesotans – particularly people with autism, disabilities, the elderly, and others facing challenges in their lives.

While I’m glad the tools we’ve implemented to catch fraud are beginning to work, we are already working on additional preventative policy changes that will be a top focus of the upcoming 2026 legislative session, which begins February 17. Make no mistake: We are ALL united in preventing and stopping fraud against Minnesotans and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used for lawful and intended purposes. This is not a partisan issue, despite some who are trying to make it so. 

Snow and winter weather affects commutes and travel plans. You can check on the status of road conditions for major roadways in Minnesota through MNDoT’s Minnesota 511 Portal:

Your opportunity to name a snowplow is here. MnDOT’s annual Name A Snowplow competition is now open. I invite you to submit the most witty, unique and Minnesota- or winter-themed snowplow name ideas to help name eight snowplows across the state

Submissions are open until Friday, December 19 at Noon