2026 Legislative Session is Underway

Dear Neighbors,

On February 17th, the Minnesota House gaveled into session for the first time in 20 years without Melissa Hortman. 

We’ve been through so much as a state in the last year. The devastating loss of Mark, Melissa, and Gilbert was still fresh in August, when two innocent children lost their lives in the horrific shooting at Annunciation School. Once again, another incident of gun violence traumatized students, parents, teachers, and community members. 

And since November, the federal government has led a hostile occupation of Minnesota, where they have killed multiple people and terrorized entire communities.

Nobody should have to face this fear in their day-to-day lives, whether at home, school, places of worship, or anywhere in our neighborhoods. 

Ben Hovland, MPR News

As we meet, we carry with us grief, frustration, and exhaustion — but also a commitment to something better. The weight of these past months is real. But so is our responsibility to respond with action. We’re committed to honoring every victim by making change, while carrying Speaker Hortman’s legacy into the future.

Ethnic Media Grants

This year, I will continue serving as Co-Chair of the House Legacy Committee.

Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment provides funding for so many amazing projects throughout our state. From addressing nitrate pollution and protecting forests to celebrating different cultures and history, this reinforces Minnesota’s strong environmental and cultural legacy.

One example is the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), which will administer $472,500 for grants to ethnic media organizations that work to inform cultural communities and communities who speak a second language of local and mainstream news and issues.

Applications run until March 16th. You can learn more here!

Emergency Grants and Rental Assistance

The events of the last few months have been devastating on so many people. Families with low incomes experiencing household emergencies such as evictions, foreclosures, utility shutoffs, or other household emergencies may qualify for an emergency, cash-grant program. You can apply online in 20 minutes or less at MNbenefits.mn.gov or apply in person for Emergency Assistance at your local county or Tribal Nation human services office. 

Learn more about this emergency grant program here.

Additionally, CAPI’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program officially launched this week. CAPI has limited funding available to provide a one-time rental assistance payment of up to $1,500 per household for eligible families in Brooklyn Center. Contact 612-721-0122 or financialservices@capiusa.org for more.

Impacted Families Community Meeting

We held a strong and successful community forum in our House DFL Caucus office with families directly impacted by the federal occupation. These are real issues facing real families, and we are focused on real solutions, healing, and making sure families know they are not alone.

We heard from local attorney Winona Yang, representatives from the Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison, and trusted community partners like United Hmong Family and Hmong American Partnership.

We shared food access and rental assistance, financial support, mental health services, and legal programs. That is what real leadership and service look like.

The courage of these families reminds us why this work matters. We stand with you.

Stay in Touch

Please reach out to my office if you need assistance with anything. I am best reached through email at rep.samantha.vang@house.mn.gov or please contact my Legislative Assistant, Isabel, at Isabel.Anderson@house.mn.gov. I always appreciate hearing from you. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page here. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Samantha Vang

651-296-3709

rep.samantha.vang@house.mn.gov