Dear neighbors, The 2026 legislative session began on 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 murder 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 our democracy. In August, two innocent children lost their lives in the horrific shooting at Annunciation School, where students, parents, teachers, and community members must now carry the trauma following yet another incident of gun violence. And since November, the federal government has led a hostile occupation of Minnesota, where they have killed multiple people and terrorized entire communities. Nobody should have to face this fear in their day-to-day lives, whether at their home, school, place of worship, or anywhere in our neighborhoods. We have much to do. As we meet, we carry with us grief, frustration, exhaustion, and a commitment to a better future. 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. 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 announcement of a 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, 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. Legislation Combatting ICEThroughout ICE’s operation in Minnesota, we have seen them target children, stalk out schools, and break the law. They have created a presence of fear and anxiety in our students. This has made it impossible for some students to attend school. They have lied about their tactics, lied about their targeting, and lied about the victims of their cruelty and incompetence. Our number one priority needs to be protecting children, and that’s why the DFL filed legislation to limit how ICE accesses schools. You can hear my comments on the bill here. |