Legislative Update – September 29, 2025
Dear Neighbors,
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 Church and School 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 the last year, all across our country, and right here in Minnesota. This violence has often resulted in more partisan conflict, but I believe there’s a better way forward together.
That’s why I worked alongside GOP State Representative Terry Stier, whose district borders ours to the west, to write a column on how we must continue to work together across partisan divides and bring the temperature down. I hope you’ll take time to read it.
Gun Violence Prevention
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 and I stand ready to support that work.
Connecting with Community
Even though the Legislature is a part-time job, I’ve been busy throughout the legislative interim working as your representative and connecting with our community to hear your thoughts and concerns ahead of the 2026 legislative session.
Whether it’s attending National Night Out, attending meetings of Attorney General Ellison’s Future of Water Task Force, or meeting with local leaders and constituents, I’ve heard a lot of great ideas about how we can continue working to make Minnesota a state where everyone can thrive—not just the well-off and well-connected.
Clockwise from top left: "Night to Unite" in Northfield with my dog Ginger, a group of legislators and volunteers who planted trees with Friends of the Mississippi (FMR) in honor of Mark and Melissa Hortman, speaking at the Rice and Scott County's Farmers' Union annual meeting at Keepsake Cidery in Dundas, joining Rep. Aisha Gomez on the ATV MN ride in Silver Bay, Northfield Mayor Erica Zweifel and I at St. Olaf College's Day of Service, agenda for the August meeting of the AG's taskforce on the Future of Water in Winona.
Farm Aid 40!
One enormous bright spot at the end of this summer was having Farm Aid come to Minnesota for the first time, celebrating its 40th anniversary!! Farm Aid is a great organization focused on supporting small, family farmers and advocating for a food system that focuses on people and fights against the monopolization and consolidation that are squeezing farmers out while Big Ag reaps all the profits.
I was proud to lead my colleagues in support of the Teamsters 320 members, whose strike for better pay and a fair contract led Farm Aid performers and organizers to consider moving their event from the University of Minnesota campus. Thankfully, solidarity prevailed, and Farm Aid went as planned, even adding Minnesotan Bob Dylan to the lineup!
I was proud to speak on a panel on climate and agriculture (alongside Margo Price!), tour a couple of local farms with fellow state legislators, and connect with great organizations that tabled outside the festival, like Minnesota Farmers Union!
If you’re a farmer in need of support, want to donate to Farm Aid’s mission, or want to speak up against the cruel actions of the Trump Administration, you can find resources at: https://www.farmaid.org/take-action/.
Stay Connected!
Unfortunately, due to technological constraints, replies to this newsletter won’t reach my email account. To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.kristi.pursell@house.mn.gov or call my office 651-296-0171, and I will be happy to help.
You can also follow my Official Facebook Page here. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe!