Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusion
At the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD), we believe public policy must reflect the lived experiences of Minnesotans with disabilities. That means supporting laws, budgets, and state programs that are inclusive, equitable, and fully accessible to all.
We work year-round with people with disabilities, families, state agencies, community partners, citizen advocates, lawmakers, and elected officials to drive change—at the Capitol and in communities across Minnesota.
How We Show Up at the Capitol
As a nonpartisan state agency, MCD doesn’t represent a political party—we represent the disability community. We serve as a trusted liaison between policymakers and Minnesotans with disabilities.
During the 2025 legislative session, we advanced community-driven priorities by testifying on key bills, hosting press events, building coalitions, and working to expand access and accessibility across state systems. We showed up not just to advocate—but to listen, inform, convene, and help build consensus around policies that improve lives.
2025 Legislative Agenda
Each legislative session brings opportunities to work on two fronts: championing disability-driven priorities and defending essential supports.
Session Accomplishments: Offensive Front
In 2025, we prioritized several major policy areas:
- Accessible Transportation – Advocated for more wheelchair-accessible rides through ride-share companies (e.g., Uber, Lyft, and taxis)
- Inclusive Playgrounds – Supported funding for playgrounds that welcome children of all abilities
- Civil Rights and Community Living – Championed updates to the Minnesota Human Rights Act in honor of Bud Rosenfield, reinforcing the Olmstead Plan’s integration rights
- Healthcare and Employment Access – Advanced improvements to Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)
- Service Navigation – Worked to reform the MNChoices assessment system for greater fairness and efficiency
These efforts led to several key wins:
- State Budget Passed – A $66 billion biennial budget passed, preserving funding for disability services
- Bonding Bill Approved – $770 million in infrastructure investments, including accessible playgrounds
- Transportation Access Study Authorized – While a ride-share surcharge bill did not pass, MnDOT will lead a statewide study to explore sustainable models for accessible Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)
- E-Bike Rebate Expansion – People with disabilities now qualify for rebates, supporting greater mobility
- Special Education Cost Workgroup Established – A new task force will explore how to manage special education costs without reducing access
- Waiver Reimagine Task Force Established – A task force was created to examine the Waiver Reimagine initiative; MCD will have a representative.
Additional outcomes include:
- Earned Sick and Safe Time protections preserved
- Funding secured for the Special Olympics USA Games 2026 and the Drive for Five workforce initiative
- Legislation now allows service animals in training to access public spaces, just like trained service animals.
- No new metro sales taxes imposed
Session Accomplishments: Defensive Front
While we secured important wins, the session also brought difficult budget decisions. Facing a long-term structural deficit, lawmakers enacted cuts to human services, including:
- $275 million in reductions to long-term care (primarily aging services)
- $186 million in savings by capping Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS) growth at 4% of inflation
- Cuts to in-home overnight support rates
- $46 million in savings from limits on day and unit-based services
- Increased licensing and oversight for autism-related services
- A statewide emphasis on fraud prevention
- $9.5 million allocated to remodel the Capitol tunnel
MCD worked throughout the session to reduce the severity of these cuts and protect essential supports for people with disabilities.
What We’re Watching for 2026
As we prepare for the 2026 legislative session, we are closely monitoring:
- A projected $3 billion state budget shortfall
- Potential federal Medicaid cuts
- Increasing demand for employment supports
- Progress from the Special Education Cost Workgroup
- Legislation related to ride-share accessibility, driver pay, and regulation
- Debates over worker classification and noncompete clauses
- Expansion of fraud detection and prevention systems
As the next session approaches, your input will be essential in preparing our response to these challenges and opportunities.
Legislative Bill Tracker
We maintain a public bill tracker for you to follow during session. Use it to see which bills we’re monitoring, check their status, and open bill details on the Minnesota Revisor’s website. We update it throughout the 2025 session.
Legislative Updates
Throughout the legislative session, the MCD Public Policy team posts updates on deadlines, hearings, and the movement of bill movement. Follow them to see what’s happening now and when public input can make a difference.
- Session milestones, including key deadlines.
- Coverage of testimony and hearings on priority bills.
- Progress reports as specific bills move through the Legislature.
Public Policy Letters
Our public policy work includes taking positions on legislation that affects Minnesotans with disabilities. Testifying in hearings is one way we share those positions. Public policy letters are another.
Read letters we’ve submitted to committees, leadership, and agencies regarding bills and budget proposals.
Have Your Say
We believe public policy works best when the people most affected are actively involved. Here’s what you can do:
- Take our Legislative Priorities Survey [forms.office.com]. Help guide our agenda by sharing what matters most to you.
- Share Your Story. Lived experiences inform better policy. Email Joel Runnels a short testimony about how public policy impacts your life.
- Sign up for our mailing lists [govdelivery.com] to get Legislative Updates. Stay informed about bills, hearings, and ways to take action.
- Learn How to Advocate. Whether you’re new or experienced, we provide tools to engage with legislators.
Contact Us
We welcome collaboration with individuals, organizations, and public officials across Minnesota.
Joel Runnels, PhD
Legislative Affairs Director
Minnesota Council on Disability
joel.runnels@state.mn.us
651-350-8642