Friends and neighbors, 

It’s Easter week, so from my family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Easter. 

This week we’re on legislative break and will return to business as usual next week for the final push of the session. That includes passing more bills, including major spending bills that use taxpayer dollars.

In this newsletter, you’ll find some helpful resources, including free webinars for small business owners and scholarship opportunities for students.

I also want to highlight an important section on online sextortion. This is a serious and growing threat, especially for young people, and I continue to work on legislation to better protect families from these crimes.

As always, thanks for reading. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Have a wonderful Easter week!

Thanks for reading,
Andrew 

Online sextortion is a cruel form of digital blackmail. It happens when someone tricks or pressures a person, often a teenager, into sending explicit photos or videos, then threatens to share them unless the victim sends more images, money, or complies with their demands.

Our district knows this tragedy firsthand. In December 2021, Carter Bremseth, a young man from Olivia, fell victim to an online sextortion scheme.

Last week, I presented a bipartisan bill in the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee that increases penalties for online sextortion and holds perpetrators more accountable. Senate File 281 advanced out of committee and will now head to the Senate floor for a vote.

This bill is not the complete solution, but it’s an important step toward cracking down on these devastating crimes and delivering justice for victims and their families, including the Bremseths.

SCORE is a nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides free, confidential mentoring and educational resources to small business owners across all stages, from startup to exit.

SCORE will be holding some great, free & low cost small-business focused webinars over the next several weeks.

March 31: Build Your Business Using Social Media

April 1: Competition Research for Business

April 2: Build Your Business Plan - Market Opportunity

April 6: Avoiding HR Pitfalls for Small and Medium Businesses

If you miss a SCORE webinar, or are looking for information on a topic you didn't see above, check out their website.

The Armed Forces Benefit Association and National Guard Association of the United States has two $5,000 scholarships available for students seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree. Apply by May 31!

APPLY

Minnesota’s Paid Leave program brings new requirements for employers across the state. There are several free, online Minnesota Paid Leave workshops that offer practical guidance on compliance and how to prepare your workplace.

Who Should Attend

• Small and mid-sized business owners

• HR managers and compliance staff

•  Nonprofit executive directors and administrators

• Employers with Minnesota-based employees

Register

April 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM

April 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Originally created during the eight-year term of Gov. Mark Dayton, Center of the American Experiment’s Scandal Tracker was reopened to account for the ever-growing list of frauds and scandals perpetuated under the Tim Walz administration.

Your one-stop resource for everything related to state government fraud in Minnesota

Andrew R. Lang

Minnesota Senate, District 16