Dear Friends,
It’s been another busy week at the Capitol. Ten short weeks until we reach our adjournment date of May 21. Here are a few things I wanted to update you on:
Second Chance Coalition Rally at Capitol
This week, the Minnesota Second Chance Coalition held their advocacy day at the Capitol. It was so rewarding to speak with advocates at the rally in the Rotunda.
The Minnesota Second Chance Coalition is a nonpartisan coalition of over 50 organizations. They advocate for fair laws and policies that allow those who have committed crimes and served their sentences to fully support themselves and their families, contributing to their communities to their full potential.
School Safety and Gun Violence
After last week’s disappointment where Republicans halted common sense gun violence prevention bills including background checks, it seemed like maybe momentum had slowed. Fortunately, we’ve seen the pressure for action mounting.
Governor Dayton released his Safe and Secure Schools Act and thousands of students walked out of area high schools to demand action on gun violence. Today we saw Protect Minnesota join with legislators to again press for legislation to help put a stop to mass shootings—this time to treat assault weapons like handguns, requiring a minimum age to purchase or possess them. We need to keep this type of pressure on as session continues.
Minnesotans deserve safe communities and they expect us to act to keep them from being gunned down while they go about their daily lives. That’s a core function of my job here and I’m committed to ensuring we take meaningful action on that this year.
Women’s History Month
Governor Dayton proclaimed March to be Women’s History Month in Minnesota. Coincidentally, today is also International Women’s Day. It’s great to see people crowd the Capitol each year pushing for women’s issues, including passing the Equal Rights Amendment, but it’s sad that each year we see continued threats to women’s ability to make choices with their health, including choices that may be lifesaving.
Please stay in touch on the issues most important to you. I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
Raymond Dehn