Sandy Pappas

As the month of Ramadan begins, I extend warm greetings to all observing this sacred time. May this month be filled with peace, reflection, and spiritual growth. Ramadan Mubarak!

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.

TODAY: MN Senate hearing on the impacts of ICE on Minnesotans. YouTube: @mnsenatemedia/streams  10:00AM Central Image of people sitting at a curved committee table with a Minnesota flag in the background.

TODAY: Senate Hearing on the Impacts of ICE on Minnesotans.

Tune in to the livestream at youtube.com/MnSenateMedia/streams

January 24, 2026 This morning, on a street in Minneapolis, at least seven federal agents tackled and then shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse for the local VA hospital.

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-24...

Marking 5 years since the January 6 insurrection. Image of rioters in the capitol rotunda attacking capitol police.

Trump’s lies led to Jan. 6. His pardons of violent extremists condoned attacks on democracy and political violence.

Republicans who refuse to condemn it are choosing power over democracy. We must preserve our history honestly. Our democracy only survives if we defend it.

Wishing all who observe Yom Kippur an easy fast and good final sealing. G’mar Chatimah Tovah

A conversation '3 or 4 decades too late': Senate Gun Violence Prevention Committee debuts Sens. Ron Latz of (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Zaynab Mohamed (DFL-Minneapolis) co-chair a senate working group – containing fellow DFLers and Republicans across the aisle – which began meeting this

Last week I brought two proposals to the Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group:
• Letting cities ban guns in libraries, rec centers & city halls
• Renew funding for the nonpartisan Gun Violence Research Center

Read more about the Working Group here: www.hometownsource.com/sun_post/new...

To those who celebrate - Happy New Year!

As Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, I joined our resident civil engineer Senator Ann Johnson Stewart and Committee members in southeast Minnesota this week to tour local infrastructure projects. We’ll be traveling across the state all fall to learn more about the needs in our communities.

Like so many of you, I am heartbroken by the tragedy at Annunciation Catholic School. A new school year should bring hope, not fear. Please join Rep. Hussein, Rep. Pérez-Vega & me for a District 65 Town Hall on Public Safety to share concerns & work together on solutions for safer neighborhoods.

This year brought challenges, but Senate DFLers worked to protect what makes Minnesota strong. I’m proud to represent District 65, where some of my most impactful legislation comes directly from ideas shared by constituents. Read my 2025 End of Session Report to see what we accomplished.

Brooks: New law offers justice to survivors of sexual assault Minnesota’s restorative justice law offers survivors a path to healing and a safe way to confront the person who harmed them.

I’m proud to have been the author of Minnesota’s new restorative justice law, which gives survivors of sexual assault another path to healing. I'm grateful to the advocates who made this possible. Read more here: www.startribune.com/new-law-offe...

DFL Senators in Solidarity with Union Workers on Earned Sick and Safe Time Lawsuit | Minnesota Senate DFL St. Paul, Minn. – On Wednesday,workers at the Hormel meatpacking plant in Austin filed a class action lawsuit against their employer for violations of the Earned Sick and Safe Time statute. The lawsui...

As the author of MN’s Earned Sick and Safe Time law, I stand with UFCW Local 663 as they take Hormel to court. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck.

Read the full press release here: senatedfl.mn/dfl-senators...

I attended last Wednesday's ceremonial signing of the bill to fund suicide prevention barriers on the Washington Ave Bridge. I was honored to share the moment with my grandchildren and acknowledge the advocates who made this life-saving legislation possible.

Please attend The Capitol Area Community Vitality Kick-Off event on Monday, July 14th from 4-8pm at Cass Gilbert Hill Park! There will be food trucks, games for kids, and live music. We hope to see you there!

Text: 988 is here to help. Minnesota Lifeline Specialists have been trained to support LGBTQ+ help seekers. Everyone who contacts 988 will continue to receive access to skilled, caring, culturally competent specialists who can help with mental health needs, suicidal thoughts, substance misuse, or any other kind of emotional distress. Background image: Woman with brown curly hair and a microphone headset speaking. Outline of MN in the bottom right with an outline of a hand holding a cell phone.

Though the Trump admin will end the national 988 LGBTQ+ youth specialty line on July 17, Minnesota will continue to have counselors trained to support LGTBQ+ youth. Whether you’re in crisis, feeling overwhelmed, or are concerned about a family member, 988 is here for you.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is never given — it is claimed, defended, and carried forward by each generation.
As our communities grieve in the wake of targeted political violence, we recommit to this work to carry on the memory of all who have fought for justice.
#juneteenth

Last night I attended a celebration for the passage of my bill SF 2200, which deems information obtained from a restorative practice as inadmissible in court. This bill works by creating a space where people who are navigating the aftermath of a crime can engage with honesty and vulnerability.

Lesson 2 from
Snyder’s On Tyranny”
Institutions also include our city, county, state & federal governments.

Lesson one from “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder

I’m proud to author funding for the Violence Prevention Project

April 28, 2025 There has been a change afoot in the Democratic Party for a while now as its leaders shift from trying to find common ground with Republicans to standing firmly against MAGAs and articulating their ow...

Heather quotes a dynamic speech by Illinois gov Pritzker April 28, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...

Image of Elon Musk, with a background of buttons that say "vote". The bottom border is $100 bills. Text: Banning Elon Musk Style Bribery: Elon Musk is trying to buy power, including a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In Minnesota our votes are not for sale. This bill outlaws shady tactics like offering cash prizes for voting.

Background of the US capitol dome with a big crack in it, and ominous red clouds. Headline text: Senate Elections Bill, Shining a Light on Dark Money. Caption text: Closing loopholes on "issue" ads and strengthening regulations that prevent dark money groups from circumventing campaign contribution limits.

Headline: Senate Elections bill, Stopping Scam PACS. Background image is a $100 bill on fire, and in the foreground is a person's hands typing on a laptop. Caption: Stopping predatory practices of scam PACs that target vulnerable people, mislead donors, and misuse contributions.

Headline: Senate Elections Bill, Transparency in Elections. Vote buttons in the background, and a "vote here" sandwich board sign in the foreground. Caption text: Clear disclosure on political ads, income disclosures for ALL public officials, and helping Minnesotans know who is trying to influence their vote.

Our democracy works best when voters, not billionaires or scam PACs have power.

The Senate's election bill takes on dark money, makes campaign finance and lobbying more transparent, and invests in local elections administration.

In Minnesota our votes are not for sale.

bsky.app/profile/amyk...

Duh

I bought copies for my entire senate democratic caucus! The first chapter is key at this time- Don’t obey in advance!

bsky.app/profile/npr....

I bought 34 copies to share with my dfl Senate colleagues. First lesson- Don’t obey in advance!

Happy Passover to those who celebrate!

St. Paul, Minnesota Wild want state to cover half of $769M Xcel Energy Center renovation The NHL team’s owner, Craig Leipold, said he’s committed to keeping the team in the capital city. Mayor Melvin Carter hopes the revamp, which also includes Roy Wilkins Auditorium and the RiverCentre, ...

“People are worried about their aging water and sewer infrastructure. People are upset about roads that we can’t maintain. Everything seems to be aging out at the same time ... and the Xcel, that’s only 25 years old.”

- Chair @senatorpappas.bsky.social

www.startribune.com/st-paul-minn...

#mnleg