Dear Neighbors, In these final weeks of GOP control of the House, Republicans are wasting no time bringing harmful, bad-faith bills through committee and to the House Floor. So far, Republicans have brought three bills to the Floor that have failed. One took away investigative power from the Attorney General, and another would have halted the Blue Line extension in the north metro – an area that none of the bill’s authors represent. Republicans are also attempting to inflict damage through bills restricting reproductive rights, stopping Paid Family and Medical Leave from going into effect before it even starts, taking funding from our schools, putting immigrant communities in danger, rolling back measures that make our elections safer and more accessible, and so much more. Regardless of these roadblocks Republicans are trying to throw in the way of progress for Minnesota, I’m committed to continuing to draft legislation that will actually pass off the House Floor, rather than wasting time on political theatre. I look forward to transitioning into power-sharing later this month so we can get to work on a budget that reflects the values of Minnesotans.  Meeting with advocates and constituents is the best part of my job. This past week I met with nurses who shared about the challenges they are facing with safe staffing and our current healthcare system. I also met with the Minnesota Youth Council to discuss how we can get greater student representation on school boards to ensure students' voices are heard in our local school districts.   Defending Ethnic StudiesPassing the Ethnic Studies for All legislation in 2023 was a testament to the students across our state who have been fighting for representation in the classroom for decades. Minnesota’s K-12 student population is rapidly becoming more diverse, but the classroom learning experience in our state does not yet reflect our student population. All students deserve to see themselves – their own cultures, communities, and histories – within their education. However, Republicans are now trying to roll back this progress and stifle student voices, having introduced legislation to repeal ethnic studies, instead allowing schools to continue providing instruction aligned to the outdated social studies standards for another decade. I have spent my career fighting for educational justice for all students. Students deserve age-appropriate and accurate information about our history to help them develop vital critical thinking skills and prepare them to become informed and engaged citizens. I will never stop working to make sure every child sees themselves in our curriculum.  Ensuring Access to Reliable Public TransportationWith costs going up under the Trump economy, now is the time to invest in accessible, affordable transportation, which will create new jobs, reduce disparities, and help cut traffic congestion. That’s why my DFL colleagues and I successfully prevented Republican-led legislation proposed to delay light rail transit capital projects, including the proposed Blue Line from Brooklyn Park to Minneapolis. This is a local project that is community driven and will be paid for by Hennepin County, no state funds will be used to build the Blue Line Extension. So many Minnesotans rely on public transportation to get to work, buy groceries, or visit friends and family. Minnesotans in the north metro have worked hard for this project, and the last thing they need is people from another community pulling the rug from under them. This project not only strengthens our local economy but also ensures that every Minnesotan—regardless of income or background—has the opportunity to thrive and stay connected to their communities. As long as I am in the legislature, we will ensure Minnesotans have more transit options - not less. Republicans Target Paid Family & Medical Leave One of the biggest priorities for Minnesota Republicans during their temporary advantage in the Minnesota House is to delay, or even outright eliminate, Paid Family & Medical Leave. The DFL passed Paid Leave because no one should have to choose between their job and bonding with a newborn, taking care of a loved one, or taking time to recover from a major illness. Paid Leave is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, but Republicans are looking to take away this crucial benefit from Minnesotans before they can even use it. Instead of helping workers and employers prepare for the new law, Republicans are standing with their corporate allies in attempting to undermine the program. One bill advancing in the House would delay Paid Leave by one year. Worse, another bill from GOP lawmakers would repeal Paid Leave altogether. Here are examples of Minnesotans speaking up in opposition to the Republican plan to delay or dismantle paid time, a move that would harm families, small businesses, and our economy. All Minnesotans deserve the economic security that comes with paid time to care for themselves or a family member, and Democrats are committed to standing with working families in protecting this important new right. Cultural and Ethnic Studies Grant Announcement!The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), by virtue of funding provided by the Minnesota Legislature, is accepting applications for the following grant opportunity: $500,000 for Cultural & Ethnic Studies – open to individuals and organizations to create Cultural & Ethnic Studies materials that support Minnesota K-12 students from underrepresented communities without a formal writing system and are primarily orally based. These communities include (but are not limited to) Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Oromo cultures. Applicants are required to provide a letter of support for the project from a Minnesota-licensed teacher(s) or school district official(s). Applicants may request up to $472,500. Funding is available through June 30, 2026. Please visit MHC’s website for more information regarding this grant opportunity! Public information session March 12: Update on human rights settlement agreement w/ city of MinneapolisOn March 12 the city of Minneapolis is holding a meeting about the Minneapolis Police Department’s path to meet the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights settlement agreement. Effective Law Enforcement For All (ELEFA), the independent evaluator of the settlement agreement, will present the updates. ELEFA will present an overview of its role in the settlement agreement, describe its requirements and how it checks compliance, and provide implementation updates from the first semi-annual evaluation report. The event will be from 5:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12 at the Ukrainian American Community Center, 301 Main St. NE. Child Tax Credit and Renter’s CreditTax Season is in full swing, and there are two key credits to keep in mind as you file this year, both of which were fought for by the DFL last biennium - the Child Tax Credit and recent changes to the Renter’s Credit. Minnesota 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, and can be applied to the amount owed on their income tax return, or to other debts referred to the Minnesota Department of Revenue. 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 year. 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.  To check your eligibility and learn more about Minnesota’s Child Tax Credit, please check out the Minnesota Department of Revenue's website. This is a good resource to have handy when you file your taxes, and remember: if you are eligible for the child tax credit, you must file for it; it is not automatic. Don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help or have questions. Free Tax Preparation Sites With income tax filing season now open, the Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) announced that over 200 sites offering free tax preparation assistance are now open to help those filing state and federal income tax returns. These sites are staffed by certified volunteers and offer in-person and virtual options with most being open through April 15. Those who fit the following criteria can get help at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site if any of the following apply: - You are age 60 or older.
- You are a person with a disability.
- You speak limited or no English.
- Your annual income is less than $67,000.
Visit DOR’s Free Tax Preparation Site webpage to search for free tax prep sites. Search for sites by zip code or county and find sites with interpreters and volunteers certified to file military returns. Anyone can also search for sites by calling 651-297-3724 or 1-800-657-3989 (toll-free). Reminder: You’re Invited to a Town Hall!Please join Rep. Emma Greenman, Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, and me for a discussion tomorrow starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. We hope to see you there! Parking at Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain: - Street parking in East River Parkway and Cecil Street SE
- Surface lot parking behind MIDB Community Center Building
  Keep in TouchPlease continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.samantha.sencer-mura@house.mn.gov or 651-297-7087. You can also follow my Facebook page. In community, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura Minnesota House of Representatives |