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House Resolution Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis
A House committee today advanced a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis, with a final vote on the House floor likely to occur Monday, July 20. The resolution states that racism is embedded in the foundation of America, beginning with chattel slavery in 1619, and that much of the Black experience in America has been endured under slavery and Jim Crow, which created preferential opportunities for white people while subjecting people of color to hardships and disadvantages in every area of life. Click here to download a copy.
MDE Back-to-School Survey Results
With still so much uncertainty around COVID-19 remaining, the House Education Committees recently discussed what school could look like in the fall – whether K-12 schools will fully reopen, if distance learning will continue, or if some sort of a hybrid will be introduced. School districts are trying to plan for all three scenarios.
The Minnesota Department of Education last week released the results of a survey asking Minnesota families about their experience with distance learning and their thoughts on the upcoming school year. They received over 130,000 responses, which showed that 64% of respondents selected that they would feel comfortable sending their students back to school. The results also showed significant concerns for public health remain.
A decision on the upcoming school year is expected to be announced later this month.
Cub Foods Update
Our Cub Foods has opened a temporary market with a broad variety of grocery items in front of their damaged store while they rebuild. It is open from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily and prices will not be increased to offset any rebuilding costs. Cub will also be providing free transportation service daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with pickups starting on the hour and drop offs on the half hour. Alternatively, if you prefer to shop at another Cub, the bus from the East Lake Cub store goes to the Cub Foods at the Quarry in Northeast Minneapolis.
Absentee Ballots Available
You can request an absentee ballot for the upcoming primary and general elections on the Secretary of State’s website here. In addition to keeping you and your family safe, absentee balloting minimizes the risk to election officials and other voters. The online application tool will ask for an email address and an identification number – either a Minnesota-issued driver’s license, Minnesota ID card, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. You can check your voter registration status here and update your status here.
Please Respond to the Census
75.5 percent of Hennepin County residents have responded to the 2020 Census. I encourage you to take a few minutes to respond if you haven’t done so already and to remind friends and family to do the same. More online, mail, or phone responses mean fewer census workers needing to go door to door in this time of pandemic. Census data determines how billions of dollars in federal funding is allocated and impacts representation at the local, state, and national level. Getting a strong, accurate count is necessary to ensure fair distribution of resources and equal representation. If you haven’t responded to the Census, you can do so online here, by phone, or by mail.
Last Summer Newsletter
This is my last update until after the election. Whether running or not, legislators cannot use state resources for unsolicited communications during an election period because it might create an unfair advantage. While I won’t be able to send out these updates for a while, you can still follow me on my legislative Facebook page. I’m still available to meet via telephone, help with state level problems, and discuss issues important to our community. Feel free to give my office a call at 651-296-0173 or email me anytime at rep.jim.davnie@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative
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