I am stepping down from the MN Senate, but I can't do that without expressing my gratitude.
Thank you to my family, friends, & constituents who shared the issues they care about & trusted me to work on their behalf. It's been a true honor to serve MN & the community I grew up in.
If you want to channel your grief, sadness, or even frustrations, here are a couple great places to support and volunteer:
Helping Paws (in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman) https://t.co/dv5adKHA4c
Planned Parenthood https://t.co/Zihq94eNJp
UnrestrictMN https://t.co/uDeoPOc49A
As we hold the Hoffmans & Hortman family in our hearts, last weekend's horrific events appear tied to abortion & people who staunchly supported those rights, myself included.
Even as we face political violence, I will persist as a vocal supporter of reproductive rights for all.
As our communities grieve in the wake of targeted political violence, we reflect on the legacy of emancipation and the civil rights movement and recommit to this work to carry on the memory of all who have fought for justice.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check on me and the boys.
We are safe, but I'm shaken.
I'm devestated by the loss of Speaker Hortman and her husband and the senseless violence against Sen. Hoffman and his wife.
Politics should not be like this.
I connected with kids & seniors today! At Newport Head Start Flag Day event, we discussed free lunches for kids & our new inclusive state flag. When I met w/ seniors, I shared about great programs: grants for homeless elder prevention, senior nutrition, food bank & shelf funding.
Love connecting with students when they visit the Capitol! Today I chatted with students from Royal Oaks Elementary in Woodbury and answered some great questions about bills and the legislative process.
A perfect spring day enjoying a couple MN treasures...
Thanks @mndnr for the hatchery tour!
Our scout troop learned about the process from egg to stocking MN lakes + saw baby musky.
Then, a great time @TheOrdway Flint Hills Family Fest. Music 🎶, activities, & saw a great show!
A moving #MemorialDay2025 ceremony at the St. Cloud VA this a.m., hosted by the St. Cloud area METROVETS.
I was seated next to a Gold Star family, & their loss was unimaginable.
Afterwards, it was nice to connect w/other veteran advocates (photo with MN DAV Commander Walker). 🇺🇸
Happy unofficial start of summer!
MN ranks #2 in boats per capita—& we’re proud of it! 🚤
This Safe Boating Week & all season, make safety a top priority to keep MN waters safe & fun!
🌦Check the weather (always!)
🚤Wear a life jacket
🍸Boat Sober
📚Take a safety course
I love this time of year!
The significance of signing HS graduation letters 🎓while voting YES to fund teacher pensions & unemployment insurance for our school’s hourly workers is not lost on me.
Thank you to everyone who helps our children succeed & thrive!
Really enjoyed talking with 3rd graders from Valley Crossing Elementary during their Capitol Tour today on my way to the floor. Lots of great questions!
Thank you to the Hmong community for again inviting me out to help honor Hmong SGU Remembrance Day (May 14).
It was a moving and lovely event, under beautiful sunshine (vs. rain 2 yrs ago). This year was extra special, celebrating 50yrs since Hmong resettlement in the U.S.
@reprickhansen, Rep. @JerryNewtonMN & Sen. Mitchell @nicoleM_4Senate joined Sen. Hawj honoring the sacrifice of Hmong-Lao SGU Veterans.
MN statue 10.5805, May 14 is designated as a state holiday, HMONG SPECIAL GUERRILLA UNITS REMEMBRANCE DAY
https://t.co/8mPtYLNJJe
Today I met with a new Woodbury resident who is also an advocate for Habitat for Humanity. We agreed on the need for more affordable housing in MN, and she shared concerns about the rising cost of homeowners insurance.
The MN Senate just passed the Legacy Appropriation Omnibus. This bill funds & supports some of the true gems of MN: The Clean Water Fund, Zoos, MPR, TPT, The Science Museum, childrens museums, parks & trails, + much more.
I'm so glad we invest in things to make our state great!
Excited to share that the MN Historical Society awarded the Woodbury Heritage Society almost 10K to help organize & preserve museum collections, allowing for greater public access to community history. My office is happy to help with the grant process!
https://t.co/SGSStB8e9I
Love seeing our senior advocates coming out to the Capitol to have their voices heard, focusing on saving Social Security, Medicaid/Medicare, and Veterans Health Care.
Three Rivers Park District does amazing advocacy & have visited the Capitol for years. I just HAD to snuggle a sweet baby lamb (who started falling asleep in my arms) while learning about their excellent programs of inclusivity, increasing access to parks for all, and education.
The MN Senate just passed the Job & Labor bill today with bipartisan provisions! It includes supporting workers with stronger mandatory break laws: giving clearer language & specific time frames for breaks required. This adds more transparency between employers and workers.