 Dear Neighbors, The 2026 legislature adjourned on May 18, and I’m still reflecting on the whirlwind session. From the start, DFLers were loud and clear about our top priorities: addressing fraud prevention, advancing affordability initiatives, preventing gun violence, and holding ICE and federal immigration agents accountable for the lawless tactics that stole the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We brought forward a slate of bills that were intentional, commonsense, and fiscally responsible. As a caucus, we were determined to move these bills through committee in good faith, always centering the voices of our communities. Unsurprisingly, we were met with Republican opposition every step of the way. The federal government sought political retribution against Minnesotans, yet Republicans decided to keep their heads in the sand about the harm and harsh realities many of our neighbors are still living with. For months the world witnessed masked agents assaulting constitutional observers, abducting our neighbors, separating families, traumatizing our children, detaining U.S. citizens—and the list continues. What the federal government did to our state is unconscionable. But in the face of this violence, Minnesotans locked arms; we held the line and we pushed back. It was everyday Minnesotans—from grandmothers to bus drivers, from dads to teachers—coming together to protect one another. They delivered groceries, organized food runs, and launched rapid-response networks and mutual aid. That was the people. That was the true power of Minnesotan organizing. Let’s be clear, we are the reason why numerous leaders in that federal administration have since been fired or placed under deep scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. Never forget that this is who we are as Minnesotans: when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. Many of us cannot—and will not—forget what happened to our communities. We survived federal overreach marked by a fatal, reckless violence that jeopardized countless lives. I would be remiss not to mention the heartbreaking toll this took even on our animals, with so many pets abandoned or forced into surrender during the chaos. Because every aspect of our lives is interconnected, it was impossible to escape or deny the reality we faced. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you simply cannot deny the dangerous and harmful implications this occupation had on our communities and our state. Moving forward, we will relentlessly push for deep accountability and systemic healing. I deeply value your trust in me to make the best decisions possible to make your life better, more affordable, and to ensure your government is working for you—not against you.  DFL Legislative Achievements Even in a tied House, DFLers were successful in passing critical legislation to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. There’s more work to be done, but I’m proud of all of us for showing up every day fighting for our values, bringing the stories of our constituents to the Capitol, and moving our feet towards progress. Together we passed a variety of bills including: - Renaming a community solar garden after Melissa Hortman
- Increased penalties for impersonating a peace officer/law enforcement
- Funded $28.2M for Environmental Community Grants, making LCCMR money available to small nonprofits and community groups for the first time
- Banning Crypto Kiosks and regulating AI usage
- HOA Reform
- Secured $40M in rental assistance
- Banning prediction markets
- Supported public broadcasting (TV and Radio)
- And so much more.
 In our own back yard, our St. Paul delegation championed several bills included in the 2026 historic infrastructure and jobs bill. Provisions included: - City of Saint Paul - Como Zoo and Conservatory - Big Cat Habitat
- City of Saint Paul - Roy Wilkins Auditorium Renovations
- City of Saint Paul - The Arena at Rivercenter Complex
- City of Saint Paul - CHS Predesign
- City of Saint Paul - Latino Museum
- City of Saint Paul Port Authority - Capitol Area Economic Development Grants
- Saint Paul Port Authority - The Heights Redevelopment Site
- City of West St. Paul - 150 Thompson Park
- Saint Paul Regional Water Services – Fridley
- City of Saint Paul - West 7th Street Improvement Project Utilities
The combined spreadsheet of funded projects in the Capital Investment bills can be found here. It is an honor to continue fighting for critical investments in our neighborhoods and preserving the cultural legacies within our vibrant communities, ensuring generations to come can enjoy all they have to offer.  Stay Connected It is an honor to represent you and our community at the State Capitol. Although the legislative session has come to a close, our work is far from over; we must now organize as a community to clearly define our collective priorities as we prepare for a transformational upcoming legislature. To that end, I invite you to contact my office with any questions, comments, or ideas at (651) 296-3824 or rep.leigh.finke@house.mn.gov. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Leigh Finke State Representative - 66A Legislative Assistant: Robin Mercer-Taylor Email: robin.mercer-taylor@house.mn.gov  Team St. Paul (Left to Right): Rep. Dave Pinto, Rep. Athena Hollins, Rep. Meg Luger-Nikolai, Rep. Jay Xiong, Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, Rep. Liz Lee, Rep. Samakab Hussein, Rep. Leigh Finke. |