Dear Neighbor,
Session is picking up speed as we move into crucial negotiations and longer days on the Senate floor. This week I am focused on protecting our local hospitals from financial duress and taking decisive action against federal overreach. The President's disastrous H.R. 1 bill continues to threaten healthcare access across our state, and I am committed to ensuring our local facilities remain solvent and prepared to care for all Minnesotans.
Third and Final Legislative Deadline
April 17 marked the third deadline at the legislature, which means that most committees have finished work on bills under their jurisdiction and are now focused on passing legislation that has received enough support to the Senate floor for a full vote of the body. Only the Tax, Finance, Rules, and Capital Investment Committees are exempt from these deadlines.
This is the technical way of saying that the legislature is nearing the end of this legislative session. Many bills are now considered “dead” for the year if they haven’t passed a committee or were not included in omnibus bills. Those that are still moving through the Senate are focused on some of the biggest priorities: lowering costs for Minnesotans, preventing and combatting fraud, responding to effects of Operation Metro Surge and federal impacts over the last year, and supporting struggling hospitals.
The legislative schedule changes quickly this time of year. To follow along:
- Watch the Senate schedule: https://www.senate.mn/schedule/senate/upcoming-all
- Track omnibus policy and budget bills: https://www.senate.mn/omnibus
- Or contact my office at any time
Stabilizing HCMC and Minnesota Hospitals
Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) is not just another hospital, it's a a critical safety net for Minnesota. As the state's busiest Level 1 trauma center, it provides lifesaving care to hundreds of thousands of patients every year, regardless of their ability to pay. From emergency room response to physician training, HCMC is a cornerstone of our entire health system. We must keep its doors open.
As I'm sure you've heard, right now HCMC is in crisis. Years of financial strain, driven by uncompensated care and federal cuts to programs like Medicaid, have pushed it to the brink of collapse, with the possibility of closure as soon as this summer.
This week, the Senate Health and Human Services committee advanced a $300 million stabilization proposal for HCMC and other hospitals in Minnesota to keep doors open and ensure patients continue to receive care. At the same time, lawmakers are actively working toward longer-term, sustainable solutions to address the structural challenges facing safety-net hospitals. The message is clear: HCMC is too important to fail, and we must act now.
Protecting Minnesota Students
As Chair of the Higher Education Committee, the biggest problem we have faced this year is the shortfall in Minnesota’s State Grant Program. Due to higher enrollments and policy changes at the federal level, the program has a projected shortfall of $131 million. If the legislature does not appropriate additional funds this year, student aid will need be rationed and many college students will lose their grants entirely. Many Minnesota students entered college with the assumption they will receive these funds for the next 2-4 years of their degrees and will face great financial hardship if the promised funds suddenly disappear.
My bill, SF 4638, would fully fund the $131 million shortfall so no rationing would be needed. The bill passed unanimously through the Higher Education committee, and will next be considered in the Finance Committee this Friday. I will push as hard as I can to secure the funding needed so that we can uphold our commitment to our students.
A bill to prohibit prediction markets like Kalshi, Polymarket advanced out of the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee this week.
In recent months, prediction markets have exploited things like the the capture of Venezuela's president, the war in Iran, and even Operation Metro Surge and turned them into money making schemes.
When money is on the line, people in power have an even bigger incentive to spread rumors, distort facts, or influence public perception on serious topics. We should not create financial incentives tied to violence, the criminal justice system, war, or civil unrest.
Prediction markets circumvent our state gambling laws that require all gambling to be regulated and licensed. We are advancing legislation to make sure these billion-dollar, big tech companies abide by our laws.
Making Social Media Corporations Pay for Mining Our Data
Minnesota is once again trying to lead the way in asking the world’s richest social media companies to pay taxes on the billions of dollars they earn off all of us – their customers – every day. The Social Media Consumer Data Collection Tax was first proposed by the Minnesota Senate last year; this year, it is also included in the Governor’s tax proposal, which was considered by the Tax Committee this week.
The world’s 14 largest social media platforms are predominately free to use, but customers agree to allow the apps to collect data about them and their internet use habits in exchange for free access. The companies make billions of dollars selling this free data to advertisers. It is an intangible asset – not something the tax code ever predicted would exist and, therefore, never anticipated taxing the way other businesses are responsible for their assets. This bill attempts to level the playing field by applying a tax on the collection of consumer data by the largest social media platforms.
In addition to modernizing the tax code, there are health and fairness reasons to pursue this policy. There is extensive documentation of negative health effects – especially mental health outcomes – caused by excessive social media use. Companies that purposely design algorithms that encourage addictive use should help pay for the health consequences of their business model, just like we’ve required tobacco companies to do.
There is also extensive documentation of how little these billionaires – soon to be trillionaires – contribute in taxes, even as they control so many aspects of daily life. Meta disclosed in February that it paid an effective federal income tax rate of just over 3.5 percent in 2025, the lowest it has recorded since the company went public as Facebook in 2012. This comes as Meta enjoyed a record $79 billion of U.S. income, a 20 percent boost from its previous earnings record in 2024.
Constituent Corner
One of my favorite parts about my job is meeting with constituents. If you are ever at the Capitol, please stop by!
Visiting the Capitol
In addition to public hearings and legislative sessions, the Capitol is open to the public Monday through Saturday for public tours and many events throughout the year. There are several areas within the Capitol complex that are available to rent. The Department of Administration maintains that information on its website.
Tours: Capitol tours are run by the Minnesota Historical Society. In general, free guided tours leave at the top of the hour between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays. More information can be found on the Historical Society website.
New Security Screening: The State Capitol and Senate Building have implemented new weapons screening to prevent unauthorized firearms or dangerous weapons from entering. Those with a permit to carry will be asked to present their permit upon entry, if they are carrying a firearm, and only handguns would be allowed. These security enhancements will be in effect for the duration of the 2026 legislative session.
My Office
Contact Me
I want to hear from you!
- sen.omar.fateh@mnsenate.gov
- 651-296-4261
Newsletter Updates
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Sincerely,
Omar Fateh,
Minnesota Senate, District 62
Capitol Address
95 University Avenue W.
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
St. Paul, MN 55155