Han Mitákuye Oyás'i? (Hello all my relations), As I am getting settled into my first week serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives, my heart is full of gratitude and honor to represent our vibrant district at the Capitol. It’s an incredible task to be sworn in as a representative of my community during a moment like this - where our people need good representation more than ever. As a descendant of the original stewards of this land, I’m ready to meet this moment with the leadership, hard work, and focus required to protect Minnesotans and ensure our state is a great place to live for everyone - the next seven generations and beyond. I am honored to bring my Dakota culture and the ways of our peoples into the halls of the Capitol, ensuring our traditions and voice have a seat at the table. I’m particularly proud to wear regalia handmade by my family. This skirt, handmade by my cousin specifically for my swearing-in, and these moccasins, gifted to me by my nephew a few years ago. Each stitch is a reminder of the family and heritage I carry with me as I serve you.   For the 2026 legislative session, I will be serving on the Energy Finance, Housing Finance, and Commerce Finance committees. The Dakota way of life is deeply rooted in the concept of wotakuye (kinship) and the understanding that we are all interconnected. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to champion collaborative governance centered on wo'ohitika (bravery), wo'wauns'ida (kindness), and k'a Woksape (wisdom). By recognizing that all things and all our relatives hold profound meaning, we can truly begin to improve the lives of all Minnesotans. This session, my top priorities are to advocate for legislation holding ICE and federal immigration agents accountable, address the housing affordability and accessibility crisis, and promote gun violence prevention. I’ve done a couple of interviews to share a deeper look into my legislative priorities, which you can watch here: If you haven’t already, please follow my official Facebook page to stay engaged and informed on the happenings around the Capitol. Enhancing Safety at the State Capitol We all deserve to be safe while participating in our shared democracy. Last June, we experienced the heartbreaking assassination of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and their dog Gilbert, along with the attack on Sen. John Hoffman and his family. The Legislature formed the bipartisan Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security – which includes representation from the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and Capitol Security – worked all summer, fall, and winter to improve safety at the State Capitol for visitors, staff, and elected officials. The committee commissioned a comprehensive report on Capitol Security and adopted a series of recommendations to enhance safety while maintaining the open, accessible nature of the State Capitol. Following these recommendations, Governor Walz recently issued an executive order implementing weapons screening at the Minnesota State Capitol for the legislative session. With 37 other State Capitols having some restrictions on firearms or screening, this is an overdue, reasonable step to protect the ability for Minnesotans to safely engage with and observe their state government in action. The screening process will closely resemble entering many other government buildings, as well as major sporting events or concerts, with modern equipment able to screen most individuals in just a few seconds, while bags and other large items will need to go through a scanner. For those who have been to the Capitol previously, I understand this process represents a bit of a change, but I’m glad we’re taking action to keep Capitol visitors, lawmakers, and staff safe. Screenings will serve as a deterrent to those who attempt to bring illegal weapons into the Capitol to commit violence, intimidate people, or interfere with the orderly work of government. Additional information is available from the Department of Public Safety. You can also read this MPR article, which outlines key measures being implemented to help you acclimate should you visit the Capitol.  Stay Connected As I work to get settled into the legislative flow, I am focused on finding consistent ways for us to stay connected and engaged. In the meantime, I encourage you to subscribe to my newsletter to receive the latest updates directly from my office. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe! My office is currently working to organize my first legislative town hall, so please keep an eye out for that upcoming announcement as I look forward to meeting with you soon. You can also "follow" and "like" my new official Facebook page to stay up to date on the daily happenings at the Capitol. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.shelley.buck@house.mn.gov or 651-296-7807, and I will be happy to help. Thank you again for the privilege of serving as your State Representative; I will continue to work hard to ensure your voice and your passions are realized here in the House. Pidamayayepi (thank you to all of you), Rep. Shelley Buck (Bdewakantunwan Dakota) Minnesota House of Representatives (47A) Legislative Assistant: Maren Twedt Phone: 651-297-8158 Email: Maren.Twedt@house.mn.gov |