The dropping temperatures make it a cozy time to enjoy the holiday season. Please stay safe out there on the sidewalks and roads. Dropping temperatures can make things very icy. Minnesotans embrace any weather, so The Sun Sailor has put together a Free West Metro Winter Calendar of family friendly events; and a couple feature St. Louis Park and Hopkins! Check it out here.
On December 8th, I had knee replacement surgery. I would like to thank the folks at TRIA and Methodist Hospital for the incredible care! Jacques was able to take time off of work to help with my recovery and I would like to thank family and friends for all of the well wishes and support. Our small four-season porch has been a nice place to recoup and continue to do my legislative work.
I am also thankful that my husband had sick time available to take care of me and that I have health insurance, which covered most of the cost. I am proud of the work we have done on Paid Family and Medical Leave, as well as earned sick and safe leave so that others have the same opportunities to take care of themselves and their family members. While we have done a lot of work, there is still more to do to support people and their health. My colleagues and I will continue to fight for affordable and accessible health care for all Minnesotans.
Community Conversations
Input from our communities is critical, especially now with federal chaos impacting our neighbors in Minnesota. That’s why I’m hosting a series of Community Conversations, January through March, to gain input from community members on issues that matter to you the most. These are an open format where I provide a brief update on what to expect this session and then open up the table for questions and discussion. Here are the dates for January:
January
Saturday, January 24 – 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Hopkins Library (22 11th Ave. N., Hopkins)
Tuesday, January 27 – 6:30-8:00 pm at the St. Louis Park Library (3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park)
Wednesday, January 28 – 6:30-8:00 pm at the Edina Library (5280 Grandview Square, Edina)
Addressing Fraud
I believe in a government that works for people, and public dollars should serve public needs like child care, health care, senior care, and more. That’s why fraud in any form — targeting consumers, veterans, small businesses, and government programs — is unacceptable.
Last week, Tim O’Malley joined as Minnesota’s Director of Program Integrity, and I’m encouraged by Governor Walz’s appointment. Working together, we will continue to protect taxpayer dollars, vital services, and ensure accountability across state government. Read more here.
Through a variety of tools such as executive action, bipartisan legislation, and agency-level reforms, Minnesota has also:
Ordered audit and pause of payments for 14 high-risk Medicaid programs tied to the federal investigation and shut down HSS entirely
Created a centralized fraud investigations unit within the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Established a statewide Inspector General Coordinating Council to improve cross-agency collaboration
Invested in an Office of Inspector General in the Minnesota Department of Education
Funded additional auditors, internal control specialists, and grant oversight professionals
Expanded whistleblower protections and anti-kickback penalties
Required enhanced licensing, documentation, training, and unannounced site visits for high-risk providers
Implemented new tools for data analytics, prepayment review, and fraud reporting
Are you missing money?
It is that time of year when we remind Minnesotans that we have an unclaimed property database that folks can access. Nearly 33 million people in the United States (1 in every 7) have unclaimed property. Unclaimed property is any type of financial asset, such as a dormant bank account, uncashed checks, insurance payouts, or unclaimed deposits that are transferred to the state after an owner fails to collect it. This is essentially Minnesota’s financial lost and found. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has a video explaining how Minnesotans could have money and property that goes unclaimed. The video also explains how to find out if you have property to claim. Search Commerce’s Unclaimed Property by clicking the link.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
As we close the chapter on 2025, let us look ahead, to the light of 2026 with hope. Thank you for the honor to serve you in the Minnesota House.
A huge thank you to folks from St Louis Park, Edina, and Hopkins that helped Rep. Kraft and I fill up the STEP food shelf van! You all contributed 589 pounds of food and $100 in donations in two short hours. This will make a big difference for our neighbors in need this holiday season. Rep. Kraft and I intend to do another food shelf and school supply drive next year.
Since I last wrote, the federal government is back up and running, however, this is at a major cost to the American people, and we’re feeling the crunch in Minnesota.
This week’s economic forecast shows that while Minnesota’s budget outlook has improved in both the short and long term, despite the federal chaos created with tariffs and skyrocketing health care costs, our future remains uncertain.
Since President Trump and the congressional majority ended valuable tax credits that help reduce health insurance costs in the private market, premiums are expected to rise by as much as 50% next year, with farmers, small business owners, and older adults hit the hardest. They also stripped Medicaid coverage from more than 140,000 Minnesotans, including some of our most vulnerable neighbors. Outcomes from these cuts include fewer people receiving the care they need, additional strain on our hospitals, and – ultimately – more expensive health care for everyone.
I’m working with my colleagues to make health care more affordable, and as part of this work, I want to hear from you. Please take a moment to share how rising health care costs are affecting you and your family by completing this short survey.
Skyrocketing health care prices and reduced coverage are putting more pressure on working families already struggling with an affordability crisis, as costs of food, energy, child care, and housing continue to rise. Your experiences can help shape real solutions to fix our broken system and make health care more affordable.
Paid Leave Launches January 1
The U.S. is the only developed country in the world that doesn’t guarantee some form of paid leave, forcing most workers to make impossible choices between a paycheck and caring for a new child, an aging parent, or their own serious health condition. But in Minnesota, that’s about to change with the launch of Paid Leave on January 1, 2026. As we prepare for Paid Leave to take effect, I want to share the basics of the new law, how it impacts you, and how to use it next month.
Paid Leave provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks of paid medical leave for your own serious health condition, including pregnancy and recovery. It also provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave to care for a new child or a seriously ill loved one. If using both medical and family leave, workers can use up to a total of 20 weeks annually. A short video explaining the basics of how it works is available here:
The program will have a small cost but offer powerful support. The premium rate for 2026 will be 0.88%, with employers responsible for at least half. If the employer chooses to split the premium with the employee, each will pay 0.44%. For an employee earning the average annual income, this amounts to about $5 per week each for the worker and the employer. Paid Leave will level the playing field for small businesses that have wanted to offer this benefit but haven’t been able to do so sustainably.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has developed helpful toolkits with resources for workers and businesses alike. The toolkit for workers can help you find out if you’re eligible for coverage, when Paid Leave can be used, how much time you can take, how you’ll be compensated, and more. The toolkit for businesses includes information about upcoming public engagement events, premium rates and contributions, equivalent plans for Paid Leave, and other FAQs.?
This isn’t a new concept – twelve other states and the District of Columbia currently offer Paid Family and Medical Leave. Despite attempts to weaken, delay, and repeal this hard-fought progress before families could even benefit from it, DFLers succeeded in protecting this hard-fought win for middle-class Minnesotans. I’m thrilled that families across our community and throughout Minnesota will finally have the peace of mind they deserve. As the program’s launch approaches, I encourage you to explore the comprehensive resources available at pl.mn.gov.
Immigration Resources
I’m proud to live in a state with a long history of welcoming immigrants seeking safety and a better life—free from poverty, war, and oppression.
Our immigrant neighbors are colleagues, friends, and familiar faces at the grocery store and in our schools. They’re integral to what makes Minnesota special, enriching our communities with their diversity and strengthening our economy every day.
As ICE ramps up their efforts in Minnesota by targeting our immigrant neighbors, many have reached out looking for ways to support neighbors in our community. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota has a myriad of resources here. You can also check out the Monarca Rapid Response Line to learn more about legal observation and advocacy here.
I would also like to give a share the article about suburban school districts and their response to ICE showing up in our communities. This article gives a special shoutout to St. Louis Park and Hopkins School Districts.
Cold Weather Rule & Energy Assistance
As we head into colder weather, I want to remind you of the resources available to ensure that all Minnesotans stay warm and are protected from utility service shut-offs.
Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule is in effect from October 1 to April 30, protecting residential utility customers from having their electric or natural gas service shut off. To protect your service from disconnection, you must make and keep a reasonable payment plan that you and your utility agree on. You can set up a payment plan any time during the rule season.
Call your natural gas, electric, municipal utility, or electric cooperative for more information, or contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at consumer.puc@state.mn.us or call 651-296-0406, 1-800-657-3782.
Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps ensure that struggling Minnesota families can afford their energy. Both renters and homeowners can qualify to receive funding to help cover energy costs, and eligibility is based on income and household size.
LIHEAP is federally funded and administered by the Department of Commerce, which works with local service providers throughout the state. While the government shutdown is now over, LIHEAP is still waiting for federal funding for this program year. Most benefits cannot be issued until that funding is received. However, they are accepting applications and encourage you to apply. You can find more information here.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime with what’s on your mind. Email is the quickest way to get in touch at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol.
With SNAP benefits still in limbo and holidays around the corner, Rep Larry Kraft and I are hosting a FOOD DRIVE for STEP food shelf in St Louis Park. Drop off your non-perishable food items from 4-6 pm on Wednesday, November 19 on the east side of the St. Louis Park Rec Center parking lot (3700 Monterey Drive).
One in nine Minnesotans doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. This is a particularly challenging time for families to put food on the table, and food shelf programs like STEP are seeing their resources rapidly stretched. Donations – whether food items or financial gifts – can make a big impact in the lives of families in our community.
In November, STEP provides recipients with a comprehensive list of both regular and holiday foods, as well as non-food essentials. The types of items STEP is generally unable to get at bulk prices include rice, canned vegetables and fruit, canned meat (tuna and chicken), jelly, cereals, dessert mixes, cooking oil, sugar, flour, and herbs and spices.
I hope residents who can will step up and generously support STEP’s efforts and make sure no one goes hungry this holiday season. Community members are also invited to make financial donations to STEP by visiting bit.ly/stepdonate or by mailing a check made out to STEP to 6812 West Lake St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. By coming together, we can ensure no family is left behind in our community and everyone can have the food they need this holiday season.
Area residents who may need assistance with food are encouraged to call STEP at 952-925-4899 during business hours to set up an appointment to pick up food. Anyone is eligible to access food from STEP.
Veterans Day
Every November 11, we honor those in our military who have served and/or are still serving our country. Thank you for your sacrifice and for all you do to keep us safe! A special shoutout to the veterans our my family including my husband Jacques (Navy), my father Roger Funk (Army – and his birthday is today!), cousin David Funk (Marines), and uncle Kim Funk (Air Force). We also honor our family members who have left us – grandfather George Ashton (Marines), uncle Robert Funk (Marines), and aunt Mary Funk (Army).
Republicans are Making Health Care More Expensive
This summer, the Trump administration and Republicans in Washington ended the premium tax credits that helped make health insurance premiums more affordable for those in the private market. Now farmers, small business owners, working families, and seniors are facing premium hikes as high as 50%. Unfortunately, the Republican agreement coming out of Washington to reopen the federal government does nothing to lower these out-of-control prices for Minnesotans.
Minnesotans are already being squeezed by rising costs, for health care as well as groceries, housing, energy, and much more. Instead of addressing this affordability crisis, Republicans are making things harder. They ended Medicaid coverage for 140,000 Minnesotans earlier this year, and the Trump administration did everything they could to stop SNAP food assistance for families in need.
I’m grateful for our DFL Members of Congress and U.S. Senators, including Senators Klobuchar and Smith, who have stood firm in the fight to make health care more affordable. Health care should never be out of reach for working people, and House DFLers will keep fighting to build a system that puts the needs of patients first, not corporate profits.
In the Community
The last few weeks have been busy ones. On top of an exciting election cycle, I met with a few great organizations who are working on improving student outcomes. I had the opportunity to attend a tour of Flint Hills Refinery put together by Rep. John Huot. I had the chance to meet with the folks from Think Small to discuss the opportunities and barriers in the areas of early childhood education. I also met with the Executive Director of the Perpich Center for Arts Education, Allegra Smisek, to hear about the incredible art outreach they do across the state. I would also like to thank the three different constituents who reached out to share their thoughts and personal stories over a cup of coffee.
In the last two weeks, there were two incredible community events that I had the chance to attend. Dr. Afira Hassan invited women from the Edina Morningside Rotary to the Women’s Venture Gala where we heard about the many resources Women’s Ventures provide women who are starting businesses. I rounded out the week attending the Minnesota Community Schoolyard Summit put on by the Minnesota Land Trust at the Westwood Nature Center. The focus was on how accessible outdoor space for our students can increase academic results as well as improve students’ mental health. If there is a community event that you would like me to attend, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions or input. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Enjoy the warmup in the weather this week!
Rep. Cheryl Youakim 46B – Hopkins, Edina, & St. Louis Park
On Wednesday, November 19, Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL – Hopkins) and Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL – St. Louis Park) will host a Holiday Food Drive in support of the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP). Area residents are invited to bring donations of nonperishable food items to the St. Louis Park Rec Center from 4 to 6 p.m. With the holiday season creating additional financial stress for families, along with delays and uncertainty surrounding federal SNAP payments, the legislators are encouraging community members to donate to prevent neighbors from experiencing hunger.
“This is a particularly challenging time for families to put food on the table, and food shelf programs like STEP are seeing their resources rapidly stretched,” said Rep. Youakim. “Donations – whether food items or financial gifts – can make a big impact in the lives of families in our community. I hope residents who can will step up and generously support STEP’s efforts and make sure no one goes hungry this holiday season.”
“One in nine Minnesotans doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. While we’ve made progress supporting food shelves and free school meals, we know Minnesotans are facing uncertainty this holiday season,” said Rep. Kraft. “Together, we can make sure every family in our community has enough to eat and no one is left behind this holiday season.”
In November, STEP provides recipients with a comprehensive list of both regular and holiday foods, as well as non-food essentials. The types of items STEP is generally unable to get at bulk prices include rice, canned vegetables and fruit, canned meat (tuna and chicken), jelly, cereals, dessert mixes, cooking oil, sugar, flour, and herbs and spices.
Community members are also invited to make financial donations to STEP by visiting bit.ly/stepdonate or by mailing a check made out to STEP to 6812 West Lake St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426.
Area residents who may need assistance with food are encouraged to call STEP at 952-925-4899 during business hours to set up an appointment to pick up food. Anyone is eligible to access food from STEP.
WHAT: Holiday Food Drive
WHO: Rep. Cheryl Youakim, Rep. Larry Kraft, St. Louis Park Emergency Program
WHERE: St. Louis Park Rec Center Parking Lot, 3700 Monterey Dr., St. Louis Park, 55416
The National Conference on State Legislatures has appointed Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) to serve as a vice chair on the NCSL’s Standing Committee on Education.
“I’m honored to be a part of an important, national conversation about how we can better meet the needs of our students,” said Rep. Youakim. “Collaborating with other state elected officials can help us deliver solutions that keep our kids thriving.”
The Committee educates Congress about state concerns and serves as a forum for state legislators and legislative staff to learn about and share information regarding initiatives in other states. The Education Committee has jurisdiction over a vast variety of education issues, including early childhood education, K-12 education and teachers, special education and higher education.
Rep. Youakim was appointed Chair of the House Education Committee in 2023-2024 and led efforts to protect ongoing funding to meet inflation in future years. Under her leadership, House DFLers delivered free breakfast and lunch for all Minnesota students, more mental health support, and strong investments in reading and literacy programs. She helped navigate complex issues in the nation’s only tied state House and protected these priorities despite GOP attempts to dismantle them.
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