Legislative Update - End of 2026 Session
Dear Neighbors,
The 2026 Legislative Session adjourned last week, just a few months after I was first sworn in as our state representative.
I'm glad we were able to deliver on priorities like helping our hospitals and stabilizing HCMC, compensatory aid funding for schools in need, providing rental assistance, and new housing investments.
In a tied House, with 67 DFLers and 67 Republicans, there was always bound to be compromise and disappointment. As your legislator, I worked to find compromise wherever possible without jeopardizing our core values.
Despite the challenge of an even partisan split in the House, my DFL colleagues and I worked every day to make life better for Minnesotans. We worked to make life more affordable by addressing high costs for health care, housing, child care, energy, and groceries.
We successfully passed solutions to combat and prevent fraud, protecting Minnesotans' state dollars and keeping them out of criminals' hands. We also provided funding to stabilize Hennepin County Medical Center, the state’s largest safety net hospital, which serves patients from across the state.
We passed a law banning crypto kiosks, which are used to scam our residents, especially the elderly, and a law banning AI ‘nudification’ features, which make victims out of everyday Minnesotans with the push of a button. I’m also proud we invested $100 million in building new housing, passed a tenant-landlord relations bill, and secured $40 million in rental assistance for those impacted by Metro Surge.
After an incredibly difficult year—the killing of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the shooting at Annunciation, and the federal occupation—this session, we worked to do everything in our power to protect our neighbors, despite Republican opposition.
While we were able to get some good work done, we left so much on the table. If we had one more vote, we could have made real progress on the priorities I hear about most from our neighbors:
In the Minnesota Senate, DFLers took action on many of these priorities, but House Republicans refused to join us. Whether it was standing up to Trump, the gun lobby, or the billionaires who are doing better than ever, Republicans failed to meet the moment.
I joined my colleagues for a sit-in on the House Floor for 39 hours as we pressured Speaker Lisa Demuth to schedule a vote on the Senate’s comprehensive gun violence proposal. We heard from many of you and shared your stories on the House Floor. I spoke about how we failed to take action after past gun violence tragedies and how this time we had the opportunity to do better.
But the fight isn’t over. In Minnesota, you should be able to go to school, church, or a movie without fearing for your safety. In Minnesota, you should be able to afford your life. While House Republicans stand in the way of meaningful progress, I will continue standing up for Minnesotans. I’m committed now more than ever to building a future where hard work is rewarded, families have a real chance to get ahead, and communities can thrive.
If you have any questions, comments, or need help navigating state government, send me an email at rep.meg.luger-nikolai@house.mn.gov (replies to this newsletter won’t reach me) or give my office a call at 651-296-8799, and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
It’s been a whirlwind of a first legislative session, but I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring our district's voices to the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Rep. Meg Luger-Nikolai
District 64A