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.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is never given — it is claimed, defended, and carried forward by each generation.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check on me and the boys. We are safe, but I'm shaken. I'm devastated 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 MN DNR for the hatchery tour! Our scout troop learned about the process from egg to stocking MN lakes + saw baby musky. Then, a great time at the The Ordway 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.

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! www.mnhs.org/preservation...

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.

It’s always a great day at the Capitol when I meet with young people who are making a difference! Today I learned about a student engagement program through Planned Parenthood where peers can help ensure fellow students are learning medically accurate information.

The weather looks perfect for tomorrow’s cleanup if you’re able to join us! *Carver Lake Park in Woodbury at 10am We will be providing: 1. Latex gloves (feel free to bring sturdier gloves) 2. Hand sanitizer 3. Trash bags Please RSVP via QR code or link: forms.gle/DZWzAd6McXVD...

I love participating and showing my school spirit for the University of Minnesota! Had a great lunch with some students and fellow alumni today – I even got to hold Paul Bunyan’s Axe!

🌍💙 The weather couldn’t be more beautiful to celebrate Earth Day. I am so proud to continue to champion for clean water, clean energy, and keeping Minnesota’s environment thriving for generations to come. I hope you can get outside and enjoy the blue skies today!

Yesterday I attended a panel for Black Maternal Health Week Event, where I heard discussions and shared heartbreaking stories surrounding people’s birthing experience. It highlighted the continued need to advocate for equitable health care.

Thank you residents of Woodbury/S. Maplewood who attended our Town Hall today! Meaningful conversations re: community priorities, legislation,+what MN is doing in the face of federal chaos. Pics: -Answering Qs -Discussing affordable Sr. housing -W/Rep Hemmingsen-Jaeger & our team

MDE this week named its 12 finalists for the 2025 Teacher of the Year. One of the teachers is from Stillwater H.S., which serves some of our students from District 47. So proud that our students have such wonderful, engaging teachers! Good luck, finalists! educationminnesota.org/news/press-r...

Congrats ERROR’s! The East Ridge H.S. robotics team is headed to the World Robotics Championship in Houston next week. I’m so glad I got to see them in action this past weekend at the North Star Regional FIRST Robotics Competition!

The Polar Plunge at East Ridge H.S. yesterday was a huge success - the event raised over $10,000 for Unified Club & Special Olympics! I'm so honored I was asked to participate. (Fortunately I changed after floor session & didn't have to compete with Sen. Lucero’s outfits! 😂)

Had a great & engaging conversation today with 6th graders from Woodbury Leadership Academy w/ Rep. Hemmingsen-Jaeger. And I finally got to see the Lego model of the Capitol! @repamandahj.bsky.social

Today is Veteran’s Day on the Hill! Always proud to support my fellow veterans & perfect weather to march up to the Capitol.

I am so glad I got to meet with New Life Academy from Woodbury today for their Capitol tour. Got to answer some great questions from students about the legislative process and my favorite parts of my job – connecting with constituents of all ages!

I had the pleasure of meeting w/the East Ridge Unified Club a couple weeks ago. They shared about their wonderful, inclusive program, + invited me to a Polar Plunge fundraiser they’re having Wed to support Special Olympics! I'll be taking the plunge: reg.plungemn.org/participant/...

Go Woodbury robotics! Three of our high schools – Math & Science Academy, East Ridge & Woodbury HS competed at the North Star Regional FIRST Robotics Competition today. Thank you for inviting me to the tournament!

More great news for our district! I was able to help a new autism center in Woodbury, Bloomwell Autism Therapy, get their credential application moving at the state level & they now accept Medicaid! This is a needed resource for families in our community. Pics from today's visit!

Always delighted to work with my city partners, including Maplewood City Council Member Nikki Villavicencio. She also does amazing work as a champion for people with disabilities – I got to meet with her and her fellow advocate for Fetal Alcohol Advocacy Day on the Hill today!

Productive meetings this week with constituent groups from AFSCME, ISAIAH, and Rare Disease Patient Advocacy. Thank you for sharing your stories with me!

Got to meet with my firefighter friends from the Maplewood Fire Department to talk about their legislative priorities, including funding for the East Metro Public Safety Training Facility. Thanks for visiting!

I hope you will join me and the rest of the Woodbury legislative delegation on Saturday, April 12th for a community town hall! All district residents are invited to attend upon RSVP’ing here: forms.gle/55s5gkJiYiMv...

Had a great meeting today with SEIU advocating for their members in healthcare in our schools, homecare, and rideshare workers. So fun that we happen to match with our purples – I wore purple in support of Epilepsy Awareness Day! @seiumn.bsky.social

15yrs in the making, on-time & UNDER budget... the Gold Line is rolling! 🚌 Needed public transpo connecting Woodbury, Maplewood, Oakdale & St Paul. Free through Friday! Pics: completing the Bielenberg Bridge in 2023, a preview ride & tour on Friday, official opening from Saturday.

I was honored to attend two wonderful, welcoming and inclusive Iftars this week – 1st at the Armory, the 2nd in Afton. Thank you for hosting such lovely evenings for every person in the community. Pictures are alongside local schoolboard members and a community student advocate.

What a fantastic turnout at Disability Services Day at the Capitol! Attended the rally today to see all the alcoves and hallways overflowing with people! Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger and I had a productive meeting with our constituents. Thank you all for your advocacy!

I'm proud of this bill, & to represent ALL of my community (not just voters). The idea came from a 10yr old (now 12) who prepared a full report on why we need a state vegetable, + why he decided the pea, "because MN is a top US producer & "we should advocate something healthy."

Since my visit last fall (pictures from the visit in Oct 2024), I’ve assisted Midwest Autism & Therapy Center in Woodbury in navigating some “red tape” – so proud to share that they now accept Medicaid and can service more of our children in our community! midwestautismservices.com/contact/midw...

A great way to start the week! Learning about important partnerships at Sovereignty Day, meeting with constituents, and it was also puppy day - of course I had to get snuggles in with Soda!

Shout out to Valley Crossing and E-STEM Middle Schools for participating in the MN ZOO ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge🦓! Congrats to both schools for your hard work and participation in the event. Way to go Valley Crossing for your awards! mnzoo.org/zoomsdesignc...

While it’s upsetting we AGAIN must fight against federal cuts to the sciences, it’s humbling to go from a protestor 8yrs ago to defending science & data-driven policy at our MN Capitol. W/Reps. Hemmingsen-Jaeger & Falconer. Throwback pic from 2017-the 1st March for Science rally!

Our state employees from MAPE visited today to talk about their concerns and potential budget impacts, especially given the uncertainty being created by the Trump administration. I really appreciate the honest conversation and the feedback they were able to provide. mape.org

Great visit to Visiting Angels in Maplewood who help serve our community with Home Care Services. I have been helping them with the approval process to also help veterans. Thanks for the warm welcome! www.visitingangels.com

I am proud to be a part of this event tomorrow! Please come join us if you can as we show our support for science & evidence-based policies!

Thank you MNA for your advocacy & meeting w/ Rep Cha, Rep Hemmingsen-Jaeger, + me today to discuss legislative priorities. Putting patients first 🩺, their #1 priority wasn't for themselves, but preventing hospitals from cutting staff to the point that patients are at risk 🫶 mnnurses.org

A beautiful day to celebrate Youth Day at the Capitol! I visited w/ amazing students from our #1 HS in MN, Woodbury’s Math & Science Academy! Other student meetings including one from ERHS. Thanks for the wonderful questions about how students can better engage in politics.