2026 End of Session Statement - MN CDFI Coalition

The Minnesota legislative session ended over the weekend without any action on small business relief. This is a disappointing outcome and one that we know will continue to put pressure on many CDFIs and their small business clients.

Despite this outcome, the work put in this legislative session raised the visibility of CDFIs as economic first responders and vital partners in relief efforts, and brought together over 50 organizations as partners advocating for small businesses. We hosted multiple advocacy days, provided testimony in Senate and House committees, and hosted the first Small Business Lunch at the Capitol, an event which brought together legislators from both sides of the aisle.

This work happened because of your advocacy and partnership in this coalition, thank you. We also want to thank the legislators who worked with our coalition to write and champion bills for small business relief – Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Senator Susan Pha, Senator Zaynab Mohamed, Representative Cedrick Frazier, and Representative Jay Xiong. We will continue to find ways to advocate for relief and build support for small businesses.

Minnesota CDFI Coalition and MCCD Statement on the Legislative Session Ending Without Small Business Relief:

The Minnesota legislative session ended without a deal to pass relief for small businesses impacted by the ICE surge. While lawmakers and advocates pushed until the final hours, the House did not have the votes to take up a $100 million small business recovery bill passed by bipartisan vote in the Senate.

In Minnesota, we come together when times are hard and have a long history of legislative action supporting communities and industries hit by unforeseen economic hardship. Small businesses across the state experienced sharp declines in revenue, workforce interruptions, the wiping out of personal and business savings, and in some cases permanent business closures.

This legislative failure reflects a lack of political will, not resources. We urge Minnesotans to continue supporting businesses in their community, and spending locally. We call for leadership from philanthropic, corporate, and public officials to support economic recovery for main street businesses at the scale it is needed.