Legislative Update: September 26, 2025

Dear Neighbors,

Since my last newsletter, our state and country have faced yet more senseless gun violence.

I continue to mourn alongside the rest of our community following the tragedy that occurred at Annunciation Catholic School. I grieve for the students whose lives were lost in the attack, as well as the other students, parents, teachers, and community members who must now carry the trauma following yet another incident of senseless gun violence. Nobody should have to face this fear in their day-to-day lives, whether at school, a place of worship, or anywhere in our neighborhoods.

Photo: MPR News

We have to acknowledge the fact that this level of gun violence is a uniquely American problem. Every life lost is one too many, and we must never allow ourselves to become numb to these tragedies or accept them as a normal part of reality. While we’ve made progress in recent years to make our communities safer through criminal background checks, red flag laws, and other actions, there is clearly more to do. 

In the coming weeks and months, we will have renewed conversations about how to recommit ourselves to building a safer future for everyone. We will keep listening to our neighbors, with the voices of survivors at the center, about how to address the causes of this violence, including easy access to types of weapons designed to inflict mass harm. Simply put, we cannot accept a status quo where gun violence is normal.

We continue to hold space for the victims, their families, and everyone whose lives were shattered by these events and keep them close to our hearts. Even as we grieve, we must move forward with a commitment to taking action. Our children, families, and communities deserve to be free from violence, and we will continue to listen, learn, and work together to keep our communities safe.

DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place on October 25 from 10 AM – 2 PM. This is a biannual event hosted nationwide to provide the public with a free and convenient opportunity for the disposal of unwanted, unused, and expired medicines from households. 

To find an event site near you, use the locator tool featured on the event’s homepage here. If you do not immediately find a collection site near you, the DEA encourages you to continue checking back frequently, as new sites are added daily. Host locations typically include law enforcement facilities, pharmacies, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and clinics. 

During the event, host sites will be collecting pills and capsules. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines will be accepted.

Important Update for MEA Travel 

As families across Minnesota prepare for MEA weekend getaways, I want to alert you on an important change that could affect your travel plans. The Trump Administration has rolled back airline reimbursements for significant flight disruptions and cancellations—protections that passengers previously relied on when their travel was derailed.If you're booking flights for the MEA break, this means you'll want to be extra cautious about your airline choice and consider purchasing travel insurance. What used to be guaranteed compensation for lengthy delays or cancelled flights is no longer required under federal rules.

I encourage you to stay informed about these changes and plan accordingly. Our constituents deserve to know when federal policy shifts affect their pocketbooks and family plans, especially during one of our state's busiest travel weekends.

Town Hall

Thank you to everyone in Senate District 38 for showing up and making our town hall such a success! We had important conversations on this year’s session, what next year looks like, and the priorities of our district.

On a separate note, this marks the first senate district in Minnesota to be represented entirely by women of color. It is a point of pride, and also a reflection of the progress we’re making toward a legislature that looks more like the people it serves. When leaders bring diverse lived experiences to the table, our policies become stronger, more equitable, and more responsive to the real needs of our communities. Together, we are building a Minnesota where everyone has a voice and a stake in our future.

High School Page and Undergraduate Internship Programs

Are you a high school junior or college student interested in the Minnesota Legislature? Consider applying to the 2026 House High School Page Program or the Undergraduate Internship Program! It’s a great way to get an up-close look at how a bill becomes a law, advances out of committee, and passes during a House Floor session. There are also ample opportunities to participate in research and policy. 

To learn more information about the High School Page Program, click here. The deadline to apply is December 4. To learn more information about the Undergraduate Internship Program, click here. The deadline to apply is November 7.

Stay in Touch

Please reach out to my office if you need assistance with anything. I am best reached through email at rep.samantha.vang@house.mn.gov or please contact my Legislative Assistant Isabel at Isabel.Anderson@house.mn.gov. I always appreciate hearing from you. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page here. 

Sincerely,

Rep. Samantha Vang

651-296-3709

rep.samantha.vang@house.mn.gov