After my first session as the House DFL caucus leader, I’m reflecting on the brilliant, hard work of my colleagues to deliver for Minnesotans. From saving HCMC to funding housing and infrastructure projects to so much more, we passed incredible legislation that will make Minnesotans’ lives better.z

As the legislative session ends, I'm thinking of my friend Melissa Hortman. The best tribute to Melissa was getting our work done and getting it done on time.

My colleagues and I are committed to doing everything we can to hold bad actors accountable and prevent fraud in the future. I'm glad that our bill to create an independent Office of the Inspector General has now officially passed in both the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor.

Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect people. They are there when people need them most, and policymakers have the same obligation to be there for our firefighters. The House DFL is committed to passing legislation to keep our firefighters safe, supported, and protected.

The Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. Generations of Minnesotans will benefit from the light Melissa carried and her tireless efforts to support clean energy in our state. A fitting honor for a fearless leader and a friend I miss every day.

Governor Tim Walz@governorwalz.mn.gov · 4mo ago

I just signed a bill to rename Minnesota’s community solar program after Speaker Melissa Hortman. Melissa was a true champion of solar and I was proud to sign this in honor of my dear friend.

It was great to take a moment to speak with members of the Carpenter's Union and the IUOE 49ers about the need for a strong bonding bill this year. When we're investing in infrastructure and our union members are working, Minnesota is stronger.

As our kids are struggling with mental health more than ever, it is shocking and sad to see our district laying off 75 social workers, counselors, and support staff. We need to do what we can to right these wrongs and fix the system that has let our kids down. www.kare11.com/article/news...

Anoka-Hennepin now notifying the 75 staff members who will be cut as superintendent announces he's leaving

The state's largest district is making $8.1 million in cuts next year as it still faces a deficit.

kare11.com

Our teachers are among the best of us. House DFLers are proud to stand with Minnesota’s educators, and we will continue fighting to make sure they have the health care, wages, and support they deserve.

The MN House just voted (unanimously) to rename our state’s solar program in honor of Melissa Hortman, who created it. Here's a snippet of her remarks from when her original bill was passed in 2013. It was one of her proudest accomplishments. It’s more than fitting the program be named after her.

It shouldn’t be this hard to get ahead. We’re fighting to make life more affordable for Minnesotans this year.

I loved meeting with members from the Minnesota Nurses Association this week. I'm grateful for all the essential work nurses do for our state — and I'll continue fighting to ensure they have the resources and support they deserve.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, MN was killed in Kuwait while serving our country. She was an avid gardener who made salsa from peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son. She also loved rollerblading and bicycling with her daughter. Here she is with her husband Joey. 🙏

We’re joining Minnesotans tonight in mourning the loss of Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor. We will not forget her service and sacrifice, and our hearts go out to her family and friends following this heartbreaking tragedy. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...

Minnesotan among six service members killed in airstrike in Kuwait

A Minnesotan is among the U.S. service members who were killed in an airstrike in Kuwait on Sunday, a day after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

mprnews.org

We won’t ever forget Melissa, Mark, and Gilbert Hortman. Now, we honor Melissa’s legacy by building the Minnesota she believed in and fought so hard for.

I was asked on MPR about my reaction to ICE saying they're leaving Minnesota. My take? We’ll believe it when we see it. Either way, there’s a long way until accountability for the damage ICE caused here – and we need to make sure this can never happen again in the future.

I'll believe it when I see it. If they think that this is an acceptable response to the emergency they've caused, they're wrong. apnews.com/article/immi...

Trump's border czar is pulling 700 immigration officers out of Minnesota immediately

President Donald Trump's border czar says he is reducing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after state and local officials agreed to turn over arrested immigrants.

apnews.com

Q: How do you regard that letter from the attorney general [with a list of demands for ICE to leave the state[? House DFL Leader Stephenson: I regard it as extortion. It's ludicrous that the president thinks he can hold the state of Minnesota hostage.

Another Minnesotan is dead at the hands of federal agents. This has to end. House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson's statement on today's shooting in Minneapolis:

A must-read message from Colin and Sophie Hortman, Mark and Melissa's children:

Donald Trump is spreading dangerous, disgusting lies about the murder of our dear friend and colleague, Melissa Hortman. Our full statement from House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson:

MeidasTouch@meidastouch.com · 7mo ago

Donald Trump is now reposting videos on Truth Social suggesting that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had Melissa Hortman assassinated. This is objectively evil, and calling it out should not be political.

I think about my friends Mark and Melissa every day. This piece captures Melissa so well; I hope you’ll read it. www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...

Melissa Hortman Died in a Shocking Act of Political Violence. This Is the Story of Her Life

Melissa Hortman died in a shocking act of political violence. This is her story

rollingstone.com

Donald Trump has brought his lawlessness to Minnesota, sending ICE agents here to divide and terrorize our communities. But House DFLers will always stand with our neighbors. We are Minnesotans. And Minnesotans have each other’s backs.

Every single dollar of fraud is unacceptable & I am outraged by it. Every dollar of fraud is a dollar that should be going to help Minnesotans. The programs targeted by fraudsters serve homeless people, people with disabilities, & kids with autism. What kind of person steals from kids with autism?

It was an honor to speak at the Unidos MN General Assembly last weekend. Our state is stronger when we stand together, and DFLers will continue to stand alongside our communities as we fight for civil rights, workers' rights, and the right to good healthcare, stable housing, and a livable future.

Our teachers do some of the most important work in the world; they should be paid and supported appropriately. Minnesota's teachers deserve good wages AND good healthcare. I was proud to stand with educators tonight at a rally for Anoka-Hennepin's teachers outside a school board meeting.

What’s happening in Minnesota right now is the worst of what Donald Trump does best; he’s trying to distract us from his own failures by shifting the blame. But scapegoating the Somali community won’t lower the price of groceries. Here in Minnesota, we stand by our Somali neighbors.

It was great to join the Minnesota Farmers Union at their annual convention last weekend! House DFLers know that agriculture is one of the foundations of Minnesota’s economy. We will continue to put workers and families — and family farmers — ahead of the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.

Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of countless veterans from Minnesota and across the nation who have served our country. Let us strive to ensure our state is worthy of their sacrifices for us.

Last weekend, I joined Governor Walz, Gabby Giffords, Senate Majority Leader Murphy, and hundreds of Minnesotans at a gun violence prevention town hall. Minnesotans are making their voices heard and demanding change. DFLers are listening, and we're ready to act to keep our communities safe.

While the Vikings came up short on Sunday, Minnesota is still winning when it comes to protecting young people from the dangers of social media. I was glad to connect with the Philadelphia Citizen to talk about my first-in-the-nation law requiring mental health warning labels on social media apps.

Lane Johnson's Season of Strong Mental Health: Is Social Media the New Drugs and Alcohol?

The two-time Super Bowl champ highlights a Minnesota law about kids and social media that leads the way in solving this public health crisis

thephiladelphiacitizen.org