DFL lawmakers propose $40M rental assistance package

‘Affordability agenda’ to address rising prices announced by Minnesota lawmakers

President Trump is hosting executives from major tech companies on Wednesday to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge that’s promoted to "protect Americans against higher electricity bills tied to data center power demand."

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Senate Democrats introduced a bill to create a $40 million emergency rental assistance fund to help Minnesotans at risk of eviction.

Emergency rental assistance fund proposed

The backstory:

Lawmakers say the state has seen about 4,000 eviction filings through February, indicating a record pace for 2026. And Democrats say it may get worst as a result of people staying home during the ICE surge.

"We are on the edge of an eviction crisis in Minnesota," said Sen. Lindsey Port. "This bill is intended to address that all across the state to keep people stably housed."

The bill's financial implications

The other side:

Sen. Steve Drazkowski expressed concerns about the bill, stating, "This bill will provide, in Hennepin County, over $7,000 to households, some of which are very likely illegal aliens because I don't think ICE was able to scoop up all the illegal aliens in our state."

Big picture view:

The $4 million price tag is pretty sizable for a year when the legislature is not creating a budget.

The bill would allocate funds from a reserve initially created to reimburse homeowners whose properties were foreclosed and sold for more than they owed in property taxes.