Legislative Task Force on Aging Convenes

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Kayla Khang

During the 2023 legislative session, policymakers recognized a need to establish the Legislative Task Force on Aging to address Minnesota’s growing elderly population, elders with disabilities, and a rapidly declining workforce. This task force met for the second time on Sept. 12, 2023.

Members of the Legislative Task Force on Aging were introduced during this meeting and include:

• Representative Ginny Klevorn, Chair of the Legislative Task Force on Aging
• Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, House Minority Lead
• Senator Kelly Morrison, Senate Majority Lead
• Senator Karin Housley, Senate Minority Lead
• Maureen Schneider, Minnesota Board on Aging
• Jen Foley, Minnesota Council on Disability
• Councilwoman Agatha Armstrong, Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
• Joe Gaugler, University of Minnesota Center for Health Aging

State Demographer Susan Bower presented to the task force, along with Kari Benson and Natasha Merz from the Department of Human Services (DHS). Below, you’ll find several critical things discussed during that presentation.

Minnesota’s demographic shift

The Minnesota State Demographer, Susan Bower, reported that the number of Minnesotans aged 65 or older has more than doubled since 1990, from 546,000 to nearly 1.2 million.

Additionally, she reported that 16.6% of Minnesotans are now over 65, projected to be over 20% soon. This is compared to 16.8% of the nation’s population over 65.

Workforce challenges

As the population naturally ages and retirees leave the workforce at higher rates than anticipated throughout COVID, fewer Minnesotans are entering the workforce, creating a workforce shortage. This recent decline in the labor force has been expected for years and will impact the demand for aging services, tax revenues for Minnesota, and future state budgets.

Future revenue implications for Minnesota

Brower pointed out that the aging population will likely affect tax revenues for Minnesota because income and spending patterns change as people retire.

Older individuals tend to earn less in retirement and make fewer significant purchases, such as property or vehicles, which could impact state revenues from tax collection and future state budgets.

Positive perspective

Task Force member Joe Gaugler of the University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation recognized that having an aging yet relatively healthy population is a significant public health achievement. He urged policymakers to view the situation not as a crisis but as an opportunity to tap into the strengths and potential contributions of Minnesota’s growing population of elders.

DHS representatives at the hearing acknowledged the strength of aging services in Minnesota and their importance in the lives of elders as demand for services from providers in Minnesota will likely continue to grow.

LeadingAge Minnesota had the opportunity to meet with Representative Klevorn, Chair of the Legislative Task Force on Aging. Representative Klevorn acknowledged that the charge of this Task Force is ambitious. She hopes they can build momentum for policy recommendations that recognize our demographics, address relying on informal family caregiving, and prioritize the state's role in ensuring access to care as Minnesota becomes an aging state.