Legislative Update - New Laws take effect on January 1st

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope you’re all enjoying the snow, driving safe, and bundling up as we prepare for the new year - and the new laws that come with it!

Even as we prepare for a new legislative biennium, the impact of our work from the last two years is still taking shape, whether it’s banning “junk” fees, protecting renters, prohibiting the sale of deadly “binary triggers” on firearms, or implementing fair prices for concert tickets, there’s a whole host of commonsense measures that’ll now be the law of the land in 2025.

Fox 9 covered the upcoming new laws in a story you can watch here, and a comprehensive list of everything taking effect on January 1 can be found here.

Office Hours on December 20

To start planning for the next legislative session, and preparing for changes at the Federal level, please join me for Office Hours at Sisters’ Sludge from 11am-1pm on Friday, December 20th. I believe we need each other more than ever, and I look forward to planning, envisioning, and building together.

Environmental Grants Now Available for Great Lakes Communities

This month saw the launch of a new grant program from the Minneapolis Foundation and partners, focused on addressing the environmental challenges we face in the Great Lakes region.

This three-year, nonpartisan program will distribute $40 million for environmental and public health projects to communities in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 36 federally recognized tribal nations. Nonprofit organizations, local and tribal governments, and institutions of higher education that work in the Great Lakes region are all welcome to apply for funding. Grants will support projects that focus on issues including, but not limited to: 

• Environmental health
• Air, soil, and water quality
• Healthy homes
• Access to healthy food
• Stormwater and green infrastructure
• Emergency preparedness
• Disaster resilience
• Environmental job training

There’s a big window to apply, with applications being accepted through November 2026 and approved on a rolling basis, but applications submitted by January 31, 2025, will be considered in the first review batch. Interested organizations can learn more and apply here. 

Minneapolis Public Schools Intergovernmental Workgroup

I have heard loud and clear from many residents who have deep concerns about the future of Minneapolis schools. In particular, since last spring when the district went through a process of budget cuts, residents have been asking the state and all levels of government to step up for our students and schools.

As a response, I have been working with MPS Superintendent Dr. Sayles-Adams, MPS school board members, and elected officials from the state, county, and city to come together for a series of meetings this fall to talk about the future of Minneapolis Public Schools and how we can uplift the youth of our city. This intergovernmental work will continue into the legislative session, and one of the successes to come out of this group already has been the progress on Cooper playground, a local playground beloved by the community that is on a vacant MPS site in our district.

In the last year there has been concern that this playground may have to be taken down, but due to advocacy from neighbors, and collaboration between government entities, MPS will continue to have ownership of the playground, and the county has given funding to make improvements on the playground. More information about the future of Cooper Playground can be found here.

Updates to the Renter’s Credit in 2025

Tax season is right around the corner, and starting in 2025 renters eligible for a property tax refund will now claim their Renter’s Credit on their Minnesota Individual Income Tax return. The Renter’s Credit will be part of their income tax refund amount, be applied to the amount owed on their income tax return or be applied to other debts referred to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. This new, streamlined way of receiving the Renter’s Credit was another accomplishment of ours from the last two years. 

Having the Renter’s Credit on the state income tax form will simplify filing for the around 300,000 renters who claim a property tax refund each. Renters will no longer have to file a separate return and wait until August or September to get their refund. You can learn more about the Renter’s Credit on the Department of Revenue website. 

Have a Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours peace and joy as we bring an end to 2024 and celebrate various holidays this season. It’s not only a great time to reflect on the past, but look to the future - and for me, I couldn’t be more grateful to be starting off 2025 by returning to the work of representing our community in the Minnesota House.

Now is a great time to reach out on the issues important to you as I gear up for the upcoming legislative session - starting on January 14. My work is at its best when it’s rooted in your needs, so please feel free to contact my office at either rep.samantha.sencer-mura@house.mn.gov or 651-297-7087. You can also follow my Facebook page for the latest updates.

I look forward to hearing from you!

In community,

Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura

Minnesota House of Representatives