Dear Neighbors,
Urban Ag Legislation Support Grows
My Urban Agriculture legislation continues to move forward and gain more support. This week, I presented HF 3324& HF 2818 to the Agriculture Finance Committee along with Minneapolis City Councilmember, Alondra Cano and numerous community based urban farmers who helped shape the bills. Among those testifying in support was Jose Luis Villasenor, Director of Tamales y Bicicletas, who is helping promote the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm Project—a proposal that would create a year-round organic urban farm, that produces healthy local food and creates living wage jobs for neighborhood residents.
Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion to an omnibus bill.
United Black Legislative Agenda
On Wednesday, I attended the United Black Legislative Agenda Press Conference in Saint Paul. Their platform is two pronged, seeking economic and criminal justice reform. It was great to participate and learn more about ways we can address racial disparities. Shortly after the press conference, the group held a meeting where I had the opportunity to speak about several bills I am authoring including bills for East African youth and elderly, as well as a bill I am drafting with the community to establish a commission to study reparation proposals for African American and American Indian Minnesotans.
I have provided a link to the United Black Legislative Agenda and invite you to review the proposals. I would value your feedback on these issues.
Always feel free to contact me about any issue you care about. I can be reached at 651-296-0294 or by email at rep.karen.clark@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Karen Clark
State Representative