Dear Neighbors –
This week, the 2026 Legislative Session began, and it was the first time the Minnesota House convened since Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, were assassinated. To be honest, it was heartbreaking to walk back in that chamber without Melissa after everything we’ve experienced in the last six months as a community and as a state.
On Tuesday, we held a remembrance ceremony for Melissa Hortman and read a joint resolution honoring her leadership and her legacy of public service. We received seeds to plant in honor of Melissa and her love of the outdoors and gardening. We baked homemade cakes and breads to honor Melissa and Mark’s love of baking. And we were joined by service animals and golden retrievers in honor of Gilbert and the joy he brought to the whole Hortman family.
You can read more from MPR News about the remembrance, and watch the full ceremony here.
And then on Wednesday, we did what Melissa would have wanted us to do -- got back to work for the people of Minnesota.
Protecting Minnesotans from ICE and Federal Abuses of Power
Weeks after the Trump Administration brought in Tom Homan to “change the tone” of the federal occupation, the reality for Minnesotans is that Trump’s ICE is running the same authoritarian playbook. Homan refused to speak the names of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and those ICE has harmed, the federal government has continued to block access to evidence in the killings of our neighbors, and ICE activity has continued to terrorize our communities.
Minnesotans deserve justice and accountability, not lies. We need the lawless federal agents out of our communities now, and as state level elected officials, we’re going to continue to use our power to respond to this crisis.
On Wednesday, House Committees began to meet, and DFLers immediately got to work on our package of bills to respond to the Trump Administration's abuse of power in Minnesota. The huge scope of federal abuse requires a state response that protects Minnesota and our communities. We’re advancing legislation in many areas, including:
- No ICE in our public schools, college campuses, child care centers, and health care centers
- No secret police; banning masks and requiring marked vehicles for all law enforcement and federal agents
- Accountability for lawless federal agents; giving Minnesotans the power to defend their constitutional rights in civil court
- Protecting Minnesotans’ from surveillance; banning use of facial recognition technology and restricting use of automatic license plate readers
- Helping alleviate the economic impact of Federal occupation; increasing rental and housing assistance, supporting small and immigrant-owned businesses harmed by the occupation
My colleagues and I have heard from our communities about how important it is for the state to use the power we have to stand up for Minnesotans against federal abuses. We are standing with Minnesotans, and my Republican colleagues have a choice this session: stand with Minnesotans and use our power to protect their rights and freedoms, or defend President Trump and the lawless agents he sent to terrorize our communities.
In our first week back, we’ve already seen them vote against proposals to ban ICE from our schools, and increase emergency rental assistance by $50 million. It was a really disappointing start but I am hoping that some of my Republican colleagues will listen to the voices of their constituents and the hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans who have been standing up for their neighbors. My DFL colleagues and I will continue to advance policy to address the harm and lawlessness of Operation Metro Surge.
Taking Action on Gun Violence Prevention
Last summer, Minnesotans demanded we take action to prevent gun violence after the heartbreaking shooting at Annunciation that has left our community grieving, but also calling for change. From student walkouts to heartfelt memorials, South Minneapolis, and communities across the state, have pushed their legislators to take action–which is exactly what we’re doing.
Next Tuesday, at 3:00pm, the House Public Safety Committee will hear my bill banning the weapons of war that have shattered our community and made our streets unsafe. Tuesday’s hearing will be the first opportunity since the August 27th Annunciation school shooting that Minnesota House will have to take official action to prevent gun violence that our community and communities across the state have been demanding change. I’ll be joined by a few parents and first-responders impacted by the Annunciation tragedy to testify in support of our bill to ban assault weapons and the ban on high-capacity magazines carried by my colleague, Rep. Brad Tabke.
We are in a tied House, so we need at least one Republican to vote to move these bills banning weapons of war forward in the process. The question for my House Republican colleagues is whether they stand with the people of our district and 70% Minnesotans who support a semiautomatic weapons ban? Or do they stand with the corporate gun lobby?
No matter what happens on Tuesday, I won’t give up on the work to ban the weapons made for war that are harming our communities. I will keep fighting with and for our communities, as long as it takes.
In addition to the hearing, throughout the week, Annunciation families, students, and members of our community will be at the Capitol bringing their stories and their spirit to the People’s House.
Sing Together Tuesday & Thursday
An uplifting, music-centered community gathering at the Minnesota State Capitol during the week of February 23..
Location: Capitol Rotunda
- Tuesday, Feb 24 | 1:00–3:00 pm
- Thursday, Feb 26 | 8:00–10:00 am
- Same program both days. People can come once or twice, for all or part
Open to legislators, staff, families, and community members. I hope you can join us.
Stay in Touch
Thank you for your time, energy, and all you do to make our community a great place to live, work, and play. Always feel free to reach out to me with your input and ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. My email is rep.emma.greenman@house.mn.gov or you are always welcome to call me at the Capitol at 651-296-4200 and follow my Facebook page for updates.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be your State Representative. I'm very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together and look forward to the work we have ahead of us. Together, we can create a stronger, brighter future for all Minnesotans!
Best,
Emma Greenman
State Representative