 Legislative Update from Representative Cheryl YouakimDear Neighbors, President Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan announced late last week that Operation Metro Surge is winding down and that he anticipates that, within a week, most federal agents will leave Minnesota with many remaining during the transition period. While this is a welcomed development, I encourage our neighbors to remain vigilant exercising their constitutional rights. Actions speak louder than words, but I’m cautiously optimistic we are moving in the right direction. A BIG thank you to everyone who turned out for our District 46 Town Hall meeting last Thursday evening. If you didn't get a chance to attend, a recording of the town hall meeting will be available later this week here. Our discussion was lively and timely, with people sharing experiences from across the community. There was a lot of concern expressed about how to recover from the federal occupation – from our businesses to our students in school as well as putting policies in place to protect Minnesotans in the future. If you couldn’t make it, I’m still hosting a series of Community Conversations across the three communities in our area. The next event will happen on Saturday, February 21 – 10:30 am to Noon at the St. Louis Park Library (3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park).  And if you’re looking ahead to March, here are the dates I’m meeting with constituents for the next round of Community Conversations: Tuesday, March 3 –6:30 -8:00 pm at Edina Library (5280 Grandview Square, Edina) Saturday, March 7 – Noon – 1:30 pm at the St. Louis Park Library (3240 Library Lane, St. Louis Park)
Saturday, March 14 –10:30 am – Noon at the Hopkins Library (22 11th Ave. N., Hopkins)  The Legislative Session Begins TomorrowThe 2026 legislative session is slated to begin tomorrow. Governor Walz recently issued an executive order effective February 17, implementing weapons screening at the Minnesota State Capitol, following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security (ACCAS). This recommendation was based on an independent security assessment commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Screenings will serve as a deterrent to those who may wish to bring illegal weapons into the Capitol to commit violence, intimidate people, or interfere with the orderly work of government. The economic impacts of ICE on our state and Twin Cities has reached far and wide and will require a robust recovery response. I’m encouraged to see Governor Walz announce this week a bipartisan proposal for a $10 million one-time emergency relief fund aimed at Minnesota businesses that have been impacted by the occupation. We as Minnesotans have been through significant challenges, natural disasters, and a global pandemic, but the onslaught of federal agents in Minnesota is unprecedented. Many segments of our economy will need to recover from our small businesses to our restaurants as well as housing and food stability. We will also need to help our students and schools recover from interruptions to the learning environment. You can read more about the initial small business proposal from the Governor by clicking this link. We will also need to help our students and schools recover from interruptions to the learning environment. A key focus of mine as the House DFL K-12 Education Finance Committee Chair will be working through the realities of the learning loss and mental health struggles of our kids, and the impact of significant absenteeism due to the disruptions caused by ICE and federal immigration agents. My colleague Representative Sydney Jordan, who serves as the DFL Chair on the Education Policy Committee has already introduced legislation to ban ICE from Minnesota schools. ICE has created a presence of fear of anxiety in our students and has made it impossible for some students to attend schools. Our first hearing in the House Education Finance Committee will be presentations and testimony from teachers, administrators, parents, and other student support staff regarding the effects of the Metro Surge Operation on our students and schools. I’m looking forward to digging in and working on bipartisan relief to get our kids back on track and thriving academically and emotionally. I was glad to join the Association of Metropolitan School Districts for their annual legislative breakfast on February 6 to hear more about these concerns. It’s always nice to hear from education leaders, MDE Commissioner Willie Jett, and my fellow legislators. Shout out to St Louis Park Supt. Dr. Hines and School Board Chair Cox.  Keep in TouchPlease continue to keep in touch on the issues important to you at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. Email is the quickest way to get in touch. Thank you for the honor of serving our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol. Enjoy the sunshine today,  Cheryl Youakim
State Representative |