Legislative Update: February 23, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

The 2026 legislative session began February 17th in a Minnesota that looks very different from the last time we gathered at the Capitol.

In June, our state was shaken by the senseless loss of Mark and Melissa Hortman and the attack on John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman - a tragedy for everyone who believes in the value of public service and democracy. In August, two innocent children lost their lives in the horrific shooting at Annunciation School. Students, parents, teachers, and community members must now carry the trauma following yet another avoidable incident of gun violence. Since November, the federal government has led a hostile occupation of Minnesota, where they have killed multiple people and terrorized entire communities. Haven’t we been through enough?

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

We have so much to do.

Ben Hovland, MPR News

As we meet, we carry with us grief, frustration, exhaustion, and a commitment to something better. The weight of these past months is real. But so, too, 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.

We’ve seen Minnesotans stand up, defend one another, and remind the world why our state is so special. Thank you to everyone in our community who is speaking out, protesting, donating time and money, and defending our state. I’m right there with you. 

ICE

It’s important to know ICE is still in our community, causing havoc. They have not left. Please stay safe and vigilant.

The economic impacts of ICE on our state and Minneapolis have reached far and wide and will require a robust recovery response. I’m encouraged by Governor Walz’s recent proposal for a $10 million one-time emergency relief fund for Minnesota businesses affected by the occupation. We as Minnesotans have been through significant challenges - including natural disasters and a global pandemic, but the onslaught of federal violence against our people and the harm done to our small business infrastructure since November is unprecedented. The human cost should be enough to convince our Republican colleagues to take action, but perhaps the economic costs will make it clear that none of this makes sense. None of this does any good for Minnesotans.

Ethnic Media Grants

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), by virtue of funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature, will administer $472,500 for ethnic media grants to ethnic media organizations that work to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of the many diverse cultural groups that make up Minnesota. This includes Indigenous organizations, communities whose culture and heritage have been historically underrepresented, recent immigrant communities,  veterans, and more.

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

Keep in Touch

If you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share, you can contact me by email at rep.liz.reyer@house.mn.gov or call (651) 296-4128. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.  

Sincerely,  

Liz Reyer  

State Representative