Dear neighbors,  

On July 1, the state budget we passed during our special session this year took effect, funding our state government and agencies for the next two years. During that special session, my DFL colleagues and I fought for a strong budget that lowers costs for Minnesota families, while still understanding that in a tied House, compromises had to be made with House Republicans. 

Some important policy provisions also took effect on July 1, and you can find a full breakdown of those provisions written by nonpartisan staff here, or from MPR News here. 

Here are some laws we passed I especially want to highlight: 

• Our education budget takes effect, including funding I successfully fought for to keep compensatory aid that South St. Paul schools rely on while we work on a long-term solution for school funding. Schools also have more flexibility in setting start dates for 2026 and 2027, when Labor Day will be especially late. 

• My bill on abandoned boats, which provides law enforcement with the tools they need to keep our waterways clear and clean and holds those responsible accountable.  

• Funding for suicide prevention measures on the Washington Avenue Bridge on the U of M campus, which I was proud to author and fight to pass alongside MJ Weiss, who lost her daughter, Kayla, to suicide on that bridge as well as Kayla’s HOPE, and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE). 

• Ticketed events over 100 attendees now must provide access to free water and allow attendees to bring their own water bottle, protecting people from dehydration and keeping outdoor concerts and other events safer.  

• A new law establishing important protections for minor children on social media platforms, meant to protect “kidfluencers” who appear in content posted by their parents. 

• Another provision will require boaters age 12 to 21 to get a permit to operate a motorized watercraft, educating people on the environmental impacts of boating, along with preventing the spread of invasive species and ways to cut down on shoreline erosion. 

The Minnesota Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention is developing recommendations to improve Minnesota’s child protection system, to keep children safe, and to prevent unnecessary entry of children and families into the system. Through a series of focus groups, the Council is gathering community input on changes needed to the system. 

Focus groups will be held throughout the summer to hear directly from Minnesotans. You can find more information and get involved here.