Dear Neighbor, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all who are celebrating Eid! Eid al-Fitr is a time of joy, generosity, and togetherness. May this holiday bring you and your loved ones peace, happiness, and blessings. Eid Mubarak!  I hope this email finds you well. As your State Representative, I am working every day at the Capitol to advocate for policies that strengthen our communities, support working families, and ensure that every Minnesotan has access to the resources they need. I want to share some important updates on the legislation I’m championing and the work we’re doing to make a difference. Protecting Homeowners in AssociationsHomeowners who live in association-run communities deserve fairness, transparency, and protection from exploitative practices. That’s why I’m a co-author of HF1268, a bill that will establish stronger rights for homeowners within associations and prevent them from being taken advantage of by unfair policies. Many homeowners in Minnesota have experienced a lack of accountability and transparency from their associations, leaving them with little recourse when issues arise. This bill ensures that homeowners have a fair say in decision-making processes, improves financial disclosures, and strengthens consumer protections. I am committed to fighting for homeowners’ rights, and I appreciate all the constituents who have reached out in support of this legislation. Fighting Hunger and Strengthening Minnesota’s Emergency Food NetworkMinnesota’s food shelves, food banks, and tribal food distribution programs are facing record-breaking demand, with 1 in 5 Minnesota families struggling to afford food. That’s why I am proud to be an author of SF1348/HF1112 and SF1112/HF777, two crucial bills that will provide permanent, stable funding to ensure Minnesotans have access to food assistance programs. - SF1348/HF1112 will establish a Regional Food Bank Grant Program, providing $10 million in permanent funding to Minnesota’s six food banks and participating Tribal Nations. This program will improve food sourcing and distribution, ensuring that food shelves across the state receive the support they need at no cost.
- SF1112/HF777 will allocate an additional $4 million to the Minnesota Food Shelf Program (MFSP), helping hundreds of food shelves statewide keep up with the rising demand. The flexibility of this funding will allow food shelves to continue providing nutritious food to families, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Hunger is a solvable problem, but only if we act. These bills will ensure that food banks and food shelves are not stretched beyond capacity and can continue serving communities across the state.  I had the privilege of meeting with Eastside constituents from The Food Group MN as they visited for Hunger Day on the Hill. They shared powerful stories about food insecurity in our communities and the impact of programs that provide access to healthy, affordable food. Investing in Latino Arts and Culture at CLUESMinnesota is home to a vibrant and growing Latino community, and I am proud to lead legislation to provide Workforce and Legacy (arts and cultural) funding to Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), the state’s largest Latino organization, headquartered on the Eastside. My bill will ensure that CLUES receives essential Legacy funding to expand its arts and cultural programming, providing opportunities for Latino artists and preserving our rich cultural heritage. These investments will help support local artists, increase community engagement, and ensure that Latino voices and traditions continue to thrive in Minnesota’s artistic landscape. I recently testified in the Legacy Committee in support of this request, and I will keep fighting to ensure this important funding is secured.  Expanding Arts Education and Youth Development with 30,000 Feet ArtsI am also working with 30,000 Feet Arts on HF1813 in the Legacy Committee to support arts education and creative youth development. This bill will provide funding to expand access to the arts for young people in our communities, ensuring that they have the opportunity to engage in meaningful creative expression, develop new skills, and connect with their cultural heritage. Investing in arts education is an investment in our future. Programs like those at 30,000 Feet Arts empower youth, particularly in underrepresented communities, to explore creative careers, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills. I will continue pushing for this funding to ensure all young Minnesotans have the opportunity to grow through the arts.  It’s incredibly inspiring to welcome my Eastside neighbors from 30kft.art to discuss the essential funding for arts and cultural heritage programs at the State Legislature. Opposing the Governor’s Remote Work DecisionI strongly oppose Governor Walz’s recent decision to require state employees to return to in-person work, rolling back the flexibility that remote work has provided. The pandemic demonstrated that many state employees can work effectively from home while maintaining productivity and improving work-life balance. Forcing employees back into offices without a clear justification ignores the modern realities of the workplace and the positive impact that remote work has had on both workers and state operations. Many workers rely on remote work for accessibility, family care responsibilities, and cost savings, and eliminating this option without a strong reason is a step in the wrong direction. I will continue advocating for policies that support our state workers and prioritize flexibility and efficiency in our workforce.  Honoring and Celebrating Ramadan with Our Muslim NeighborsThis week, I had the honor of attending an iftar with my colleagues and constituents who practice Islam, sharing in a meaningful evening of reflection, community, and faith. Ramadan is a sacred time of spiritual renewal, gratitude, and generosity. It reminds us of the importance of coming together to support one another, regardless of our backgrounds. Minnesota’s Muslim community is an essential part of our state, and I am committed to ensuring that our policies reflect the values of inclusivity, respect, and religious freedom for all.  How Will Federal Education Cuts Impact You? Sadly, we no longer have a serious partner in the White House when it comes to building a world-class education system for our students. Last week, President Trump advanced reckless plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. In response, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) launched a public feedback portal at education.mn.gov for parents, students, teachers, and community members to submit detailed accounts of the ways recent Executive Orders and abrupt federal education cuts are impacting schools and children across our state. More than 860,000 students in Minnesota depend on stable partnerships that have existed between their school communities, MDE and the U.S. Department of Education across administrations. For decades, the federal investments facilitated through those partnerships have played a key role in ensuring students in Minnesota receive the support they need to learn and thrive, including: - $256 million for students with disabilities
- $192 million for students from low-income backgrounds
- $27 million for academic enrichment
- $6 million for students in rural schools
- $38 million to support children living on military bases or Native American reservations
- $100 million for Career and Technical Education workforce development programs
If any of these cuts impact you and your family, please let us know!  Real ID Taking Effect in May Beginning May 7, 2025, Minnesotans 18 years of age or older will not be able to use their standard driver's license or identification card to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. Instead, they will need one of three options: - Minnesota REAL ID driver's license or identification card.
- Minnesota Enhanced driver's license or identification card.
- Other federally-approved forms of identification. They are listed online here, but include:
- U.S. passport or passport card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
If you are not sure which license type is right for you, check out the Driver Vehicle Services’ website here.  |