House/Senate Press Conference 11/12/26
Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) proposal for 2028 ballot
Sen. Mary Kunesh and Rep. Leigh Finke announced they will reintroduce the Minnesota ERA in the 2027 session to place it on the 2028 general election ballot, backed by the Minnesotans for Equal Rights coalition.
Public opinion polling on the ERA
Gender Justice's Megan Peterson cited polling: 67% of Minnesotans would vote yes (82% Democrats, 65% independents, 54% Republicans); 41% more likely to back a legislator who puts it on the ballot vs 11% less likely.
Scope of protected classes in ERA language
The amendment covers race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex including pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, gender identity/expression and sexual orientation — broader than the earlier version Kunesh passed 43-23.
Pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and abortion protections
Finke said 'pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes' within sex-based protections is clearly intended to include abortion and other reproductive health care.
Economic/wage gap and labor arguments for the ERA
Gloria Perez cited a stagnant wage gap: women earn 81 cents, Latina and Native women 63 cents, Black women 61 cents per dollar; AFL-CIO's Bernie Burnham backed the ERA for 300,000 members.
Legislative process and timeline for constitutional amendment
Bill must pass both chambers in the same biennium; question goes on the 2028 general election ballot and needs 50%+1 of all ballots cast, with blank ballots counting as no. 2027 statewide Senate race is a special election, so it can't carry the question.
Bipartisan outreach and GOP negotiations
Finke recalled a 15-hour 2024 House floor debate and said she expects 'fresh conversations' with Republicans in 2027; Kunesh noted 14 new senators and hopes for GOP support.
Role of Governor-elect Klobuchar and legislative leadership priorities
Lawmakers said Klobuchar made no commitment but they expect support; a governor's signature isn't required. Leadership says ERA is a top priority alongside affordability, fraud, ICE response and health care.
Faith and LGBTQ community support
Rev. O.B. Ballinger (Creekside UCC, Prism Organizing Network) cited hostility at pride events, erasure of trans identities, and proposed bans on rainbow flags in schools as reasons for constitutional protection.
Full Document Analysis
Topic analysis (9)
Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) proposal for 2028 ballot
Sen. Mary Kunesh and Rep. Leigh Finke announced they will reintroduce the Minnesota ERA in the 2027 session to place it on the 2028 general election ballot, backed by the Minnesotans for Equal Rights coalition.
- Introduce ERA bill on first day bills can be dropped in 2027 session
- Pass identical language in House and Senate in same biennium
Public opinion polling on the ERA
Gender Justice's Megan Peterson cited polling: 67% of Minnesotans would vote yes (82% Democrats, 65% independents, 54% Republicans); 41% more likely to back a legislator who puts it on the ballot vs 11% less likely.
Scope of protected classes in ERA language
The amendment covers race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, and sex including pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, gender identity/expression and sexual orientation — broader than the earlier version Kunesh passed 43-23.
Pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and abortion protections
Finke said 'pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes' within sex-based protections is clearly intended to include abortion and other reproductive health care.
Economic/wage gap and labor arguments for the ERA
Gloria Perez cited a stagnant wage gap: women earn 81 cents, Latina and Native women 63 cents, Black women 61 cents per dollar; AFL-CIO's Bernie Burnham backed the ERA for 300,000 members.
Legislative process and timeline for constitutional amendment
Bill must pass both chambers in the same biennium; question goes on the 2028 general election ballot and needs 50%+1 of all ballots cast, with blank ballots counting as no. 2027 statewide Senate race is a special election, so it can't carry the question.
Bipartisan outreach and GOP negotiations
Finke recalled a 15-hour 2024 House floor debate and said she expects 'fresh conversations' with Republicans in 2027; Kunesh noted 14 new senators and hopes for GOP support.
Role of Governor-elect Klobuchar and legislative leadership priorities
Lawmakers said Klobuchar made no commitment but they expect support; a governor's signature isn't required. Leadership says ERA is a top priority alongside affordability, fraud, ICE response and health care.
Faith and LGBTQ community support
Rev. O.B. Ballinger (Creekside UCC, Prism Organizing Network) cited hostility at pride events, erasure of trans identities, and proposed bans on rainbow flags in schools as reasons for constitutional protection.
Votes (1)
Prior Senate passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (approx. 2023)
Moved by Sen. Mary Kunesh
Notable Quotes (14)
Two out of three Minnesotans, 67% would vote yes. That's 82% of Democrats, 65% of Independents, and 54% of Republicans... That's not a partisan number. That's Minnesota.
A protection that lives only in statute can be repealed, can be erased with a single vote. Our rights shouldn't depend on who sits in the governor's office.
Three years ago, I brought the ERA to my caucus, and we passed it on a 43 to 23 vote. That was bipartisan support, and so we are looking for our GOP members to join us once again.
If you remember the old ERA statement it was basically women's rights. We now recognize that an ERA needs to address the rights of every single Minnesotan.
It's heartbreaking to me that she's not here with us to see it passed finally in the House of Representatives.
The language of the amendment itself uses the words pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes... That is intended very clearly to include abortion as well as other reproductive healthcare.
We do not need to go into this conversation pretending like it is 2024. It is 2027, and we will be having a 2027 conversation.
If we are moving the agenda of the people of Minnesota forward, and that means we pass the ERA February 1st instead of January 15th, nobody's going to complain.
Women make 81 cents for every dollar a man makes. Latinas and native women make just 63 cents and black women make just 61 cents.
In the labor movement, we believe an injury to one is an injury to all.
It's time to dust off our dusty old Constitution that was written in 1857 before the Civil War that was not meant to include all people.
Every person deserves equal rights and equal protection under the law. Not just some people, not when it's politically convenient, everyone.
Religious communities already have robust protections in the Minnesota Constitution and we want to make sure that similar protections exist for people of every race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex...
It is one of our top priorities to pass the ERA this session... this is an ERA that meets the moment that we are in.
People (14)
Megan PetersonExecutive Director, Gender JusticePresented polling showing 67% support for the ERA
1 quote
Presented polling showing 67% support for the ERA
“A right is only as strong as the law that protects it.”
Opening remarks
Mary KuneshState Senator, District 39Says 2027 ERA language is stronger and more inclusive than prior version
Says 2027 ERA language is stronger and more inclusive than prior version
Leigh FinkeState Representative, District 66APlans to introduce bill on first day of session; invoked Melissa Hortman
Plans to introduce bill on first day of session; invoked Melissa Hortman
Gloria PerezPresident & CEO, Women's Foundation of MinnesotaCited gender and racial wage gap data
Cited gender and racial wage gap data
Bernie BurnhamPresident, Minnesota AFL-CIORepresents 1,000+ locals and ~300,000 members
Represents 1,000+ locals and ~300,000 members
Betty FolliardFounder, ERA MinnesotaCalled ERA 'the anti-discrimination bill'
Called ERA 'the anti-discrimination bill'
Depinder MayellExecutive Director, ACLU of MinnesotaFramed ERA as universal equal protection guarantee
Framed ERA as universal equal protection guarantee
O.B. BallingerReverend, Creekside UCC; co-executive director, Prism Organizing NetworkSpoke on LGBTQ safety, dignity and freedom
Spoke on LGBTQ safety, dignity and freedom
Samantha Sencer-MuraState Representative, House DFL leadershipSaid ERA is a top House priority; cited 20 new members
Said ERA is a top House priority; cited 20 new members
Melissa HortmanFormer Speaker of the Minnesota House (deceased)Finke emotionally noted Hortman's absence and prior ERA work
Finke emotionally noted Hortman's absence and prior ERA work
Amy KlobucharGovernor-elect of MinnesotaNo commitment given; advocates expect support
No commitment given; advocates expect support
Jess BravermanLegal Director, Gender JusticeExplained ancestry/national origin covers immigration-related discrimination
Explained ancestry/national origin covers immigration-related discrimination
Erin MurphySenate Majority LeaderReferenced as aware of ERA priority
Referenced as aware of ERA priority
Myrtle CainFirst woman elected to the Minnesota HouseIntroduced an ERA in 1922
Introduced an ERA in 1922
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (3)
- (Thursday morning (pre-2027 session))
- (January 2027)
- (2028 general election)
Ordinances & Resolutions (1)
Would bar discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex including pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, gender identity/expression and sexual orientation; requires passage by both chambers in the same biennium and majority approval on the 2028 general election ballot.
Raw materialstranscript
transcript