Dear Neighbors,
I’d like to start off by thanking everyone who attended our community conversation on gun violence prevention. It’s clear that the collective work and commitment from lawmakers, community leaders and partnerships, advocates and community members will be essential to address this issue and change the trajectory of the path ahead.
Here are action steps you can take today:
- Share Your Voice: How Gun Violence Impacts Minnesotans
- As we work to advance gun violence prevention legislation, an important part of that effort is to elevate the voices of Minnesotans. We want to hear how gun violence has touched your life, your community, or the life of someone you love to help show the true impact of gun violence in our lives.
Please take a moment to fill out this form and encourage others to do the same.
- Raise Awareness: MN's Extreme Risk Prevention Order law
- The “red flag” laws led by DFL leadership in 2023 are proving to be very effective. The more people know about them, the more effective they can be in saving lives. Learn more in this comprehensive Star Tribune article.
- Below is an overview from Hennepin County.
Special Session Update
As you may know, conversations have been taking place in earnest at the State Capitol as to whether Governor Walz will hold a special session in the coming weeks to address gun violence prevention - and I know many of you have reached out to my office asking us to do just that. And while the Governor has the authority to call a special session, it is the legislature that decides the topic and timeline.
I am united with my House DFL colleagues on this issue, and we have a plan to address gun violence prevention and keep our communities safe. Our proposal would:
- Ban assault weapons
- Ban high-capacity magazines
- Ban binary triggers
- Increased school safety and security measures
- Implement safe storage rules
- Ban untraceable 'ghost guns'
- Strengthen MN's red flag law’
Make no mistake, I wish I was back in the Minnesota House right now passing common sense solutions to address gun violence - it is what Minnesotans want. The harsh reality is with our narrowly-divided state legislature, we need bipartisan buy-in to pass new laws. At a September 2025 news conference, referencing bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, Floor leader Rep. Harry Niska said “I don't think there are any Republican House votes in favor of those kinds of proposals.”
That said, I believe Minnesota is speaking loud and clear what they want from their elected state leaders, and we will continue to press until we make the change our communities want and deserve. I encourage you to stay resilient in this effort and join me in reaching out to legislators that are roadblocks to this critical legislation.
Minnesota Association of Charter Schools
I attended the MN Association of Charter Schools policy forum to speak to members alongside Rep. Bryan Lawrence (R). What I appreciate the most about charter public schools is the drive to foster innovation and flexibility in education -- families having more choices to meet their students' diverse and unique needs through a robust public school system with options is always a good thing.
Tri-City Mental Health Summit
One in four Minnesotans are in need of mental health support. The intersection of community public health, first responders, schools, lawmakers, housing, the judicial system, financial stability and healthcare with mental health needs is complex, and calls for deep understanding.
I am grateful for attending the Mental Health Summit led by Mayors Tim Busse of Bloomington, Jim Hovland of Edina, Mary Supple of Richfield and Bloomington Public Health to hear directly from experts doing important work to address this health crisis. It is essential that legislators and local governments work together for a path forward.
If you are in need or know of anyone in need of immediate mental health support, the MN Dept of Health 988 Lifeline System Services is ready to help. Read more here. Please take good care of yourself.
New Laws
Over the summer, new laws passed in 2025 have come online. Highlights include required access to free water at ticketed events of 100 or more people, protections for children who appear in online media, and assistance for homeowners and tenants when dealing with HOAs. If you’d like a deep dive of what’s been implemented, you can read a nonpartisan summary of all the new laws here, and here.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place on October 25, offering Minnesota residents a safe and secure way to dispose of unused or expired medications. For convenient disposal options throughout the year, MyOldMeds.com offers a free, easy-to-use locator tool that connects residents to the 520 disposal sites across Minnesota. MyOldMeds also offers a Minnesota resource page that provides guidance on safely managing medications at home and discussing proper disposal with family members.
Stay Connected
I welcome your thoughts and questions. You can reach me at rep.julie.greene@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4363. To receive regular legislative updates, subscribe, and follow along on my facebook page.
Thank you for staying engaged. As always it is an honor to represent you and our community.
In solidarity,
Julie Greene
State Representative
District 50A