Issues

A true champion for progressives, Jamie Long has worked tirelessly throughout his career to combat the threat of climate change, safeguard democracy, strengthen economic stability, protect equal rights, increase opportunities in education and healthcare and create a better future for all Minnesotans.  Last year, Jamie had the honor of serving as House Majority Leader during one of the most impactful legislative sessions in Minnesota history.  The legislation Jamie authored and co-authored will make a generational impact improving the lives of Minnesotans for years to come. 

Climate and Environment

  • Jamie authored the 100% Clean Energy Standard, which was signed into law by Governor Walz in February 2023.  This bill, a top five standard in the nation, puts Minnesota on the path to 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2040. 

  • Jamie piloted climate initiatives such as Minnesota’s new Electric Vehicle Rebate program allowing for rebates of up to $2,500 for purchase or lease of electric vehicles. 

  • Jamie authored legislation to reform Minnesota’s clean energy permitting process, removing roadblocks to reaching the state’s energy goals. 

  • Jamie enacted a law that facilitates financing for commercial buildings seeking energy efficient improvements. 

  • Jamie carried a bill to help improve Minnesota’s best-in-the-nation community solar program. 

  • Jamie sponsored legislation to improve the energy efficiency of new commercial buildings, working closely with the City of Minneapolis. 

  • Jamie pushed for greater electrification of transportation, including incentives for electric vehicles and support for electric transit buses 

  • Jamie stood up to protect special places like the Boundary Waters from damaging mining practices.

Education

  • Under Jamie’s leadership breakfast and lunch are now free for all public school children.

  • Jamie has pushed hard to fully fund access to early childhood education. 

  • Jamie strongly supports fully closing our special education funding gap and increasing per-pupil funding to help fill the budget challenges faced by Minneapolis. During his time in the legislature, the E-12 education budget provided an increase in per-pupil funding, allowed 4,000 young learners access to early childhood education, and increased special education funding. 

  • Jamie believes we should continue to push for free community college and debt-free public four-year college.

  • Jamie authored legislation funding the local Bakken Museum.

Elections and Voting Rights

  • Jamie authored legislation establishing an Independent Redistricting Commission to ensure independent review of legislative and congressional districts.

  • Jamie led the way on efforts to secure $1.6M to help with census mobilization. 

  • Jamie authored bills to expand early voting and establish a concrete absentee voter program. Both of these initiatives would increase voter participation and create a more fair and just voting system.

Equity and Opportunity

  • Jamie co-leads the Minnesota Values Project: an effort of the House DFL Caucus to develop a values-based, forward-looking agenda for our state. This includes some of Jamie’s top priorities, including paid family and medical leave, and earned sick and safe time. 

  • Jamie strongly believes we must provide driver’s licenses and health care access to our aspiring citizen neighbors. 

  • Jamie will continue to fight for an Equal Rights Amendment, guaranteeing the most basic human equality for all Minnesotans regardless of gender. 

  • Jamie saved Minneapolis taxpayers $20M by reversing an effort to undo a decades-old agreement on the state share of pension funding.

Health Care

  • Jamie authored a bill establishing a Public Option through an expansion of MinnesotaCare to ensure affordable health coverage for all Minnesotans.  

  • Jamie helped enshrine access to abortion under Minnesota Law and will continue to push for women’s reproductive rights,  and protect funding for Planned Parenthood and other women’s health centers.

Labor

  • During Jamie’s first term, the Legislature pushed through the strongest wage theft law in the United States in order to ensure that Minnesota workers were provided the wages they rightfully deserve.

  • Jamie will continue to stand up for collective bargaining, help workers have a predictable work schedule, and raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour statewide over time so no one working full-time is living in poverty. 

Criminal Justice Reform and Gun Violence Prevention

  • Jamie authored legislation establishing automatic expungements under specific legal circumstances. 

  • Jamie authored legislation to restore voting rights to felons following successful completion of their prison term. 

  • Jamie authored a bill to cap probation lengths; remove excessive punishments; and build a restorative criminal justice system. While the bill did not become law, the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission enacted a similar proposal with Jamie’s support. 

  • Jamie authored legislation to increase police accountability for incidents of violence, and also to assist police officers coping with mental health challenges.

  • Under Jamie’s leadership Minnesota now requires universal background checks for gun purchases and has “red-flag” laws under which authorities can confiscate firearms from people deemed a threat to others or themselves.