Legislative Update – February 9, 2022

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this message finds you well as the 2022 Legislative Session kicked off last week. Here’s an update from the State Capitol.

Legislative Session Begins

The Minnesota House of Representatives was officially called to order on January 31 at noon. Our economy continues to recover from some very difficult times during the pandemic, but many Minnesotans are still struggling. We have a $7.7 billion positive budget balance and good news regarding job numbers and other metrics, but too many families, students, workers, and small businesses continue to face challenges.

This session, I’m committed to helping ensure all of us can experience economic recovery, not just the very wealthiest and corporations, who all along have continued to make more while regular Minnesotans must overcome barriers. House DFLers are committed to strengthening economic security, helping children succeed in the classroom, making health care more affordable, enacting measures to tackle climate change, and delivering proven solutions to improve public safety.

Town Hall Meeting

Sen. Sandy Pappas, Rep. Carlos Mariani and I invite you to join us for a Virtual Town Hall Meeting next Tuesday, February 15 at 7pm. Each of us will give an update on the Legislative Session from our own perspectives, but much of the time will be devoted to answering your questions.

The event will take place on Zoom, and you’re invited to RSVP and submit questions here. You can also participate by following along with the livestream on Facebook. Each of us is deeply honored to represent our community and we look forward to you joining us.

I also want to thank everyone who attended the United Black Legislative Caucus’s recent Town Halls on the COVID-19 Pandemic and on Education, Housing, and Public Safety.

Killing of Amir Locke

We were all heartbroken and outraged last week following the tragic killing of Amir Locke at the hands of police following the use of a no-knock warrant. Amir Locke should still be alive. He should still be with us. The community deserves answers and deserves justice. So many of us are not okay, and the killing of Amir Locke is another traumatic blow to a community that is desperately in need of reconciliation and healing.

Yesterday, House DFLers – alongside members of Amir’s family – announced a proposal to ban nearly all no-knock warrants. Our proposal would require a higher burden of proof on the judge when issuing a warrant, require proof that using a standard warrant would endanger a life, and provide accountability when an officer knowingly carries out a no-knock warrant in violation of the ban. Last year, lawmakers successfully enacted legislation to enact restrictions on their use, but it’s clear we have more work to do. It’s highly likely that Amir would still be with us if this law was in effect. I’m hopeful we can come together to enact this change, along with other public safety investments and innovations to keep people safe.

Review of Select Committee on Racial Justice Recommendations

In 2020, the Minnesota House voted to recognize racism as a public health crisis and create a Select Committee on Racial Justice. I was honored to co-chair this panel where we devoted an unprecedented amount of attention to addressing the persistent and unacceptable racial disparities in our state. Following a series of hearings, in December 2020, the committee issued a report highlighting our findings and making a series of recommendations in six separate policy areas.

This week, the House Ways and Means Committee, which I chair, held a hearing to review our progress so far in meeting the recommendations. Last year, I asked my legislative colleagues to rise to the challenge and develop a state budget through an equity lens, and the House of Representatives passed a budget that had an unprecedented focus on dismantling the longstanding disparities facing communities of color living here in Minnesota. With resistance from Senate Republicans, we couldn’t tackle every challenge and adopt every proposal, but we did make progress.

Our hearing gave us an opportunity to reflect on the important items we’ve delivered on and look forward to the important work yet before us to ensure all Minnesotans can have the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and successful. KARE 11 recapped the hearing here.

Please feel free to reach out to share your feedback, offer your ideas, or let me know if I can be of help. It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Rena Moran
State Representative