No one should have to experience the heartbreaking tragedy that happened at Annunciation Catholic School and Church. My heart goes out to the families who lost their precious children, those who were injured, as well as the other students, parents, teachers, and community members who must now carry the trauma following yet another incident of senseless gun violence. That this shooting occurred during the first week of school – a time that should be full of excitement, joy, new friends, and hope for the future – makes it particularly heartbreaking.
We have to acknowledge the fact that gun violence is a uniquely American problem. Every life lost is one too many, and we must never allow ourselves to become numb to these tragedies or accept them as a normal part of reality. While we’ve made progress in recent years to make our communities safer through criminal background checks, red flag laws, and other actions, there is clearly more to do.
In the coming weeks and months, we will have renewed conversations about how to recommit ourselves to building a safer future for everyone. We will keep listening to our neighbors – with the voices of survivors at the center – about how to address the causes of this violence, including easy access to types of weapons designed to inflict mass harm. Simply put, we cannot accept a status quo where gun violence is normal. On the day of the tragedy, Principal Matt DeBoer welcomed prayers for the families and parishioners of Annunciation. He also reminded us of a proverb – “When you pray, move your feet”. We need to move our feet and take action. All Minnesotans should feel safe in our public spaces whether it be a school, place of worship, place of business, a movie theater, or a local park.
There are resources available for members of our community:
211 United Way offers free, confidential information about mental and physical health care and other emergency services. Call 2-1-1 any time, or visit org.
Mental Health Minnesota provides anonymous, confidential peer support, and the Minnesota Warmline is available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 651-288-0400, or you can text “Support” to 85511.
For immediate crisis support,the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7/365. Call 9-8-8, text 9-8-8, or click here to access an online chat feature to connect with a crisis counselor.
Everytown Survivor Network: Text “SURVIVOR” to 644-33 to join a nationwide network of gun violence survivors. The Survivor Network offers peer support, trauma-informed programs, advocacy opportunities, and resources to help survivors heal and make their voices heard.
Information and resources for talking to children about gun violence are available here for parents and for educators.
When there are warning signs of a threat, it’s important to take them seriously; intervention can prevent tragedy. Most mass shooters share their plans in advance, especially young people and those planning shootings in schools. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has a “See It Say It Send It” app available to report tips anonymously, including threats to schools or places of worship. You can also call the BCA’s tipline at 1-877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn .us.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), also known as “red flag laws,” are an effective way to prevent tragedy. Under an ERPO, a petition can be filed to temporarily restrict access to firearms for someone who may pose a threat to themselves or others. More information on this process is available here.
We continue to hold space for the victims, their families, and everyone whose lives were shattered by these events and keep them close to our hearts. Even as we grieve, we must move forward with a commitment to taking action. Our children, families, and communities deserve to be free from violence, and we will continue to listen, learn, and work together to keep our communities safe.
Back-to-School season is underway! As the wife of a school teacher and a mother of three college graduates, I know that the start of the school year can be a mix of emotions and a flurry of activity. I’m wishing all students, families, teachers, support staff, and administrators a smooth start to the school year!
As a legislator and the former Chair, and current Co-Chair, of the House Education Committee, I am proud of the work we did last biennium. We sought and enacted bold solutions to looming challenges such as: addressing 20 years of underfunding our schools by indexing the education formula to inflation and guaranteeing at least a 2% annual increase, investing in the READ Act to improve literacy rates, increasing funding for student support staff to address student mental health, and universal free school meals to make sure every student has the nutrition they need to learn.
Last legislation session, economic uncertainty and mercurial changes at the federal level led to hard decisions and unfortunate reductions in education funding. With a 67-67 tie in the State House, it took extra time to negotiate the final K-12 bill both with our House GOP counterparts and the DFL-led Senate. But we successfully fought off attempts to dismantle free school meals for our students and kept as many cuts out of the classroom as we could.
As students across Minnesota head back to school, I’d also like to share an important reminder from the Department of Revenue: Save those back-to-school shopping receipts! Minnesota offers two valuable K-12 tax benefits that can help offset education costs:
K-12 Education Credit (refundable, income limits apply)
Last year: 44,000+ families received this credit
Average benefit: $379 per family
K-12 Education Subtraction (no income limits)
Last year: 114,000+ families claimed this benefit
Average benefit: $1,438 per family
Eligible students must be in grades K-12 at public, private, or qualified home schools. Purchases made this year can be claimed on next year’s tax return.
I am wishing all students, families, teachers, and school staff that the year ahead is filled with lots of learning, new friends, and good health. Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions, input, or suggestions at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. Email is the quickest way to get in touch. Thank you!
It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through August. As we await crisper air and changing colors, we can look forward to our Great Minnesota Get Together! The State Fair kicks off on Thursday this year and runs through Labor Day. If you’re planning to visit, I hope you’ll stop by the nonpartisan House Public Information booth in the Education Building to take the 2025 legislative survey.
New Laws Effective August 1
More new laws took effect earlier this month on the first. Highlights include required access to free water at ticketed events of 100 or more people, protections for children who appear in online media, and assistance for homeowners and tenants when dealing with HOAs. Minnesota’s new law to crack down on impaired driving is a personal one.
Last year, the St. Louis Park community was shaken by an unimaginable tragedy when an intoxicated driver crashed into the outdoor patio at the local Park Tavern restaurant, killing two people and injuring twelve others. The driver had five prior DWI convictions in Minnesota.
In response, we took a close look at the state’s DWI laws, and this session, we passed legislation to strengthen and modernize the interlock program, requiring it more aggressively for repeat offenses while also making it easier for people to access the program.
I would like to thank the advocates at Methodist hospital and Park Tavern, as well as the families who were tragically affected by this tragedy. Without your voices at the table, sharing your stories, this bill would not have gotten across the finish line. And, a shout out to Representative Larry Kraft and Senator Ron Latz for their tireless work on this important piece of legislation.
Photo credit: Andrew VonBank, MN House Photography
High School Page and Undergraduate Internship Programs
Are you a high school junior or college student interested in the Minnesota Legislature? Consider applying to the 2026 House High School Page Program or the Undergraduate Internship Program! It’s a great way to get an up close look at how a bill becomes a law, advances out of committee, and passes during a House Floor session. There are also ample opportunities to participate in research and policy.
To learn more information about the High School Page Program, click here. The deadline to apply is December 4. To learn more information about the Undergraduate Internship Program, click here. The deadline to apply is November 7.
Community Visits
A big thank you to Doyle-Connor Co and folks from the Concrete Association for giving me a tour recently of the Minnetonka Blvd construction site just east of Hwy. 100 in St Louis Park. As a former city Councilmember I always find infrastructure projects fascinating!
Thank you to the Edina League of Women Voters for inviting me to their happy hour last night! There is something energizing about being around a group of folks that care about public engagement.
Keep in Touch
Although the legislative session is done for the year, my public service is not. Please always feel free to reach out to me with questions or input at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889. Email is the quickest way to get in touch.
Thank you for the honor of representing our Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina neighbors at the State Capitol.
Have a great week!
Cheryl Youakim State Representative
Melissa and Mark Hortman loved music. Their children recently joined The Minnesota Current for a segment featuring their favorite bands and songs. Thank you, Colin and Sophie, for putting together this beautiful tribute. Listen to the full segment here: https://vist.ly/32gm7
One month after being assassinated in their home, we remain heartbroken and horrified by the loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
Melissa was our friend, our leader, and a champion for Minnesotans. Mark was by her side supporting her every step of the way. These two extraordinary people are missed by so many, and we’re so grateful to Minnesotans and the nation for your sympathy and support over the past month.
We continue to hold Melissa and Mark’s children, families, friends, and loved ones in our hearts, and we continue to keep John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman in our thoughts as they recover and heal.
Political violence has no place in this country. We must resolve our differences peacefully, never through violence. The attacks on DFL legislators one month ago have shaken us to our core, but they have not shaken our resolve to build a state that works better for everyone. Whether it’s at the State Capitol or in our communities, we will keep serving the people of Minnesota and keep working hard to build the future that Melissa and Mark Hortman believed in.
Federal Budget Law
While the White House calls it the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” there’s nothing beautiful about slashing health care, food support, clean energy investments and removing supports from millions of Americans.
The new law makes the largest health care cut in U.S. history, slashing $900 billion from Medicaid. One in four Minnesotans rely on Medicaid, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. These cuts could strip coverage from 250,000 Minnesotans and cost our state $500 million annually in lost federal funding. These cuts will threaten the stability of hospitals and nursing homes already under financial strain. The bill also defunds Planned Parenthood, a vital provider of cancer screenings, birth control, and preventive care.
It cuts the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which more than 440,000 Minnesotans use to feed their families. With nine million food shelf visits last year alone, our hunger relief network can’t absorb these additional burdens.
Minnesota has committed to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, but this bill undercuts that effort by eliminating clean energy tax credits. As a result, our state stands to lose 13,000 jobs and $7.8 billion in green energy investment by 2030. Utility bills could rise by over 10% by 2029.
All of these cuts are to pay for $1.3 trillion in tax cuts. Meanwhile, because the vast majority of able-bodied adults receiving benefits are already working, new “work requirements” will just add unnecessary paperwork for counties and providers.
Bottom line is that this bill raises costs, reduces care, and undermines Minnesota’s future. I’ll keep you updated as we fight back.
Education Funding
Recently, the Trump Administration announced that they will be withholding a portion of federal funding that congress appropriated toward our state public schools in their last budget cycle. Minnesota stands to lose $74 million dollars in federal investments. This funding, due to our state on July 1, is dedicated to students in our schools who need academic intervention, are struggling, have disabilities, are English language learners, receive academic support after school, and are part of adult basic education in our communities.
Currently, the Minnesota Department of Education is trying to work through the Federal Department of Education to find out when they will release the funds. And thankfully, Attorney General Keith Elison has joined 22 other states’ attorneys generals in a lawsuit requiring the release of the congressionally appropriated funds. The Minnesota Reformer has an article that does a deep dive that you can read here.
New Laws Taking Effect
On July 1, our new state budget took effect, along with the majority of the new policies lawmakers enacted this past session. As with all of this year’s successful legislation, these new laws are the product of bipartisan compromise. While there are certainly components of the budget I wish did more to benefit working families, there are still plenty of new commonsense policies and investments to be proud of.
Highlights include required access to free water at ticketed events of 100 or more people, protections for children who appear in online media, and assistance for homeowners and tenants when dealing with HOAs.
Among new laws that take effect next month on Aug. 1, 2025, in Minnesota are those pertaining to restorative justice confidentiality, service dogs, and stronger DWI reform and enforcement. This information can be accessed here.
2025 MN E-Bike Rebate: Applications Open July 30
Good news! Minnesota’s e-bike rebate program returns this summer with updated income-based eligibility and disability qualifications. The application window runs July 30 at 11 a.m. through August 7 at 2 p.m.
Who qualifies: Minnesotans with 2024 income under $78K (married filing jointly), $62K (head of household), or $41K (other filers), plus individuals receiving SSDI, MA-EPD, SSI, or disability waiver services.
Requirements: Must be 15+ years old, full-year MN resident for 2023-2025, filed MN tax returns in 2023-2024, and not claimed as a dependent in 2024.
Applications open through the MN Department of Revenue’s online portal. Submit only one application per person—duplicates will be deleted. Sign up for the official rebate email list for updates.
Thank you, Hopkins!
A big thank you to all the volunteers and community members who made Raspberry Festival another success this year! It was nice having a couple kids and their partners home to celebrate!
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn.gov or 651-296-9889 with questions or to let me know how I can help.
We continue to mourn the losses of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and their Golden Retriever Gilbert, who were killed June 14 in an unspeakable act of political violence. Speaker Hortman leaves an enormous legacy of steadfast leadership and a record of transformational results to make Minnesota work better for everyone. She was passionate about her state, her community, and particularly, her family.
This Friday, June 27, between noon and 5 p.m., Melissa and Mark Hortman, along with Gilbert, will lie in state. Members of the public are invited to come to the State Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects during that time. Melissa will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol.
On Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 a.m., a private funeral will take place. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will livestream the services on itsYouTube channel. TPT 2 will air the funeral on TV, too.
As we honor the memories of Mark and Melissa, we also hold John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman close in our hearts and continue to hope for their full recovery. They were also victims of an assault in their home the same morning.
If you’re able and willing, please consider contributing financially to both families during this unthinkably difficult time. Sophie and Colin Hortman lost both of their parents, and a GoFundMe supporting them as they navigate the path forward is available here.
The Fernbrook Elementary School PTO, where Yvette Hoffman serves as a support professional, has set up a GoFundMe to support her and John in their recovery.
On the Monday, after their parents were murdered, Sophie and Colin Hortman released this statement:
“We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much.
“We want everyone to know that we are both safe and with loved ones. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we appreciate your respect for our family’s privacy as we grieve.
“Our family would like to thank law enforcement for their swift action that saved others and for the coordination across communities that led to the arrest of the man who murdered our parents. We especially would like to thank the officers who were first on the scene to our parents’ home and their heroic attempts to rescue our mom and dad.
“Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them.
“If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:
Plant a tree.
Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
Let’s carry forward Melissa’s legacy by choosing kindness, showing care, and leading with love – for each other and for our beloved state of Minnesota.
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