 Dear Neighbors, Before I dive into my legislative update, I want to say how much I appreciate and adore ‘Puppy Day’ at the Capitol. As you can imagine, there have been some really hard days, but when we have dedicated advocates like the Animal Humane Society visiting with cute furry babies, it tends to put everyone in a better mood. I got to love up on Big W this year and, well, the pictures speak for themselves.  Since we gaveled into the 2026 legislative session, my DFL colleagues and I have been working tirelessly to ensure we are bringing community stories and sharing the intergenerational impacts of Operation Metro Surge on our communities and our state. In every sector and area of life, federal agents are working under a clear directive of political retribution as separated families, caused disruptions to schools, parents are patrolling outside of their children’s schools and bus stop, renters are facing housing instability due to being unable to get to work, and the list continues. The economic impact ICE and immigration federal agents have caused on our state is dire and we are seeing reported numbers of these damages- in Minneapolis alone, small businesses and restaurants in the city lost as much as $81 million in revenue. While the Minneapolis Police Department spend about $5.2 million from Jan. 7 to Feb. 1 in paying overtime and services. I am still waiting final reports coming from Mayor Kaohly Vang Her, but I anticipate similar numbers. A slate of ICE OUT bills has been introduced in committees, but in a tied House, we’re facing severe challenges and roadblocks. Republicans are choosing to bury their head in the sand and side with the federal government and their cruel attacks on our civil liberties, executing illegal tactics that trample constitutional rights, and kidnapping our neighbors. It’s a shame.  This week, I presented legislation to the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee that would ban Minnesota municipalities from entering into 287(g) agreements. These agreements deputize local law enforcement to perform the duties of federal ICE agents—a practice that is fundamentally harmful to our communities. Republicans voted against my bill because they care more about prioritizing federal deportation agendas over our local streets, schools, and parks. 287(g) agreements don't make us safer—they fuel profiling, spread fear, and drain Minnesota’s resources. It’s time for Republicans to put Minnesotans first and stop playing politics with people's lives. I want to thank the ACLU of Minnesota and our dedicated community advocates for joining me to highlight the urgency of this bill. I also joined Julio Murphy Zelaya from the ACLU of Minnesota on Minnesota Now to discuss the bill and a recent ACLU report revealing that the number of municipalities signing these agreements has grown tenfold. Listen to the conversation here.  I also introduced a bill in the Tax Committee to require ICE agents who weren't Minnesota residents but made any wages while working here to file a Minnesota tax return. The current threshold for other workers is $15,000 after which they owe. The Minnesota Department of Revenue estimates the change could bring in $600,000. Minnesotans will effectively subsidize a federal enforcement operation that they did not request and that many do not support. Moreover, enforcing this requirement sends an important message. Minnesota will not allow its tax base to be eroded by temporary federal deployments that shift costs on our communities. Climate Superfund Bill Another big bill that I am advocating for is the Climate Superfund bill. I was proud to stand alongside climate justice advocates, Saint Paul Councilmember Ward 5 Hwa Jeong Kim, and the Senate author, Senator Ann Johnson Stewart to announce our ‘Climate Superfund’ bill at a press conference. During 2023 and 2024, the State of Minnesota invested over three billion dollars in climate solutions. Of that, only one third is ongoing, and almost all of that is dedicated to our metropolitan area transit system. The lack of ongoing funding, strains on our state’s budget forecast, and the uncertainty of federal funding, means we need to get serious about finding sustainable, state-level revenue solutions. Our bill would ensure polluters and big corporations pay for their share of the environmental messes they’ve made, (which they knew they were contributing to) help address the costs of past and future climate impacts so that these costs do not fall exclusively on Minnesota taxpayers, and provide an avenue for our state to pay for sustainable climate adaptation solutions. Minnesotans deserve a healthy environment where they can thrive, not a future where they're stuck paying for crises created by billionaires.  Farm to Food Program In 2025, House DFLers passed the Farm to Food program, which supports local farmers and gets food to Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity. In short: connecting local food to local people. That program is now open for applications. Full grant eligibility requirements and application details are available on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Food Security webpage. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.  Keep in Touch Please continue to reach out to my office to address any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. I value hearing from you, so call or email any time at rep.athena.hollins@house.mn.gov or call my office at 651-296-4224. You can also follow my official Facebook page. In community, Rep. Athena Hollins Minnesota House of Representatives Legislative Assistant: Emma Erdahl emma.erdahl@house.mn.gov |