Legislative Update – May 30, 2025
Neighbors,
Sunday, May 25, 2025, marked five years since George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest—an event in our own District 62B that sparked nationwide protests and a global movement for racial justice and police reform.
George Floyd should be alive today. Our District is still processing and healing from the trauma of George Floyd’s murder and all that followed. As I reflect on this moment, it is impossible to separate it from how conservative politicians and media figures continue to distort this tragic event for their political aims.
They want to divide and distract us from our mission towards real justice, and that’s why it’s so important for us to reject the falsehoods and renew our calls for a public safety system that treats every person with dignity, compassion, and equality under the law.
On Saturday, the House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus reflected on the progress we have made—no-knock warrant regulations, community violence prevention grants, independent investigations in officer-involved deaths, traffic stop reform, investments in public defenders, and funding for small businesses and BIPOC organizations here in South Minneapolis passed by our former Rep. Hodan Hassan—while still acknowledging there is so much work to do.
Especially now that the Trump Administration is seeking to take us backward by removing the consent decree on MPD, our push for justice here at the state level is critical. We must honor George Floyd’s memory through sustained action, both in policy changes and cultural shifts.
Let’s use this moment to remember George Floyd, mourn his loss, and recommit ourselves to the work that will make our public safety system safer for everyone. I also want to acknowledge the dedicated members of our local community who have stood and protected George Floyd Square and their ongoing work to not only hold systems and elected officials accountable, but also to keep a space for healing for the community. Rest in Power, George.
End of the 2025 Regular Session
Shortly before our midnight deadline on Monday the 19th, the House adjourned the 2025 regular legislative session. The House and Senate passed many of the budget bills before that deadline, sending them to the Governor for his signature. However, other parts of the budget were still locked in negotiations, meaning we will have to return for a short special session to complete our remaining work.
Before adjournment, we passed the state budget bills for Veterans and Military Affairs, Agriculture, Housing, Judiciary and Public Safety, and State Government and Elections. We also passed our Legacy bill funding projects that preserve our environment and arts and cultural heritage, a pensions bill to support our teachers, firefighters, and police, and a human services policy bill.
Special sessions are common in the Minnesota Legislature, especially during times of divided government control. In fact, the only recent budget year we haven’t needed a special session was in 2023, when DFLers had a trifecta with the House, Senate, and Governor working efficiently together to pass one of the most transformative budgets in state history.
Unfortunately, Republicans have been holding up budget bills as a tool to try and take healthcare, Paid Leave, and other services away from people and force a special session. On many of these bills, Republicans have brought in last-minute policy demands unrelated to our budget because they’re more interested in fighting partisan battles to take away programs and support for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Upcoming Special Session
Many of the larger budget bills still remain locked in negotiations. We still need to pass a K-12 Education budget, as well as our Health and Human Services budgets. Together, this represents more than three-quarters of our entire state budget. We also have not passed our budgets for Higher Education, Environment, Energy, Jobs and Labor, Transportation, and Commerce.
Frustratingly, the main obstacle to passing these bills has been House Republicans' insistence on non-budget items that roll back freedoms and protections for workers. DFLers are fighting to protect the progress made in 2023 and 2024.
While we wait for final budget agreements and the Governor to officially call a special session, I’m focused on using this extra time to advocate for our community and a budget that will strengthen our district and state.
Stay In Touch!
Hearing from constituents like you is a key aspect of my job as a state legislator. If you have questions, ideas, or feedback that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. You can email me at rep.anquam.mahamoud@house.mn.gov or call my office at 651-296-0294. You can also “like” and follow my official State Representative Facebook page.
Sincerely,
Anquam Mahamoud
State Representative