Hello Friend, It was a tough summer in Minnesota this year, bookended by horrific acts of gun violence. In June, we lost Melissa and Mark Hortman in addition to the attack on the Hoffmans, and the tragedy at Annunciation put a dark cloud over the start of the school year for all Minnesotans. We’ve seen far too many school shootings and acts of political violence in this last year alone, all across our country. The horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk brought many of us right back to June 14th, when we didn’t know if the day’s violence was over. At the same time Charlie Kirk was shot, another school shooting took place in Colorado. In Minnesota, conversations are underway at the State Capitol right now to find a way forward, together, because that’s the only way this work can be done. You may have heard the news about Governor Walz potentially calling a special session of the legislature to address gun violence, and many of you have contacted me on the issue as well. In Minnesota, while the Governor has the power to call a special session, it is the Legislature that sets the agenda and timeframe. Due to our narrow divide in the Minnesota Legislature, any solution will take bipartisan buy-in from both chambers. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve been able to pass in recent years, like Red Flag Laws and criminal background checks, and I’ll be pushing to build on this work. Whether that’s in a special session this fall, or when we return for the 2026 Legislative Session in February, I’m committed to building a safer Minnesota. We can’t afford to bury our heads in the sand and wait for the next tragedy. We can and must do everything we can to address gun violence. National Surgical Technologists Week So many heroes step up in moments of tragedy, whether that’s our public safety officials on the front lines or the communities that band together to help one another. I want to lift up the Minnesotans that keep us safe, healthy, and whole. Next week is National Surgical Technologists Week, when we recognize and appreciate the men and women who care for us when we’re on the operating table. Like Shakopee’s own Gloria Santana, who brought this week to my attention! |