Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Work continues on important issues at the State Capitol, and Governor Walz called lawmakers into a special session that started Monday. On Tuesday, the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee approved a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. You can read the resolution here and I expect the full House of Representatives to take a vote on this important step forward to address numerous inequities in our state. Here’s an update.
Police Accountability Reform
The most urgent priority facing the State Legislature is a strong package of reforms to strengthen police accountability in our state. George Floyd should still be with us, and everyone in the House and Senate has a responsibility to recognize the urgency of enacting overdue changes. Since the last special session – when Senate Republicans abruptly walked away from discussions – we’ve continued our efforts to advance the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020.
This legislation will reimagine our vision for public safety in Minnesota, and it is rooted in our core values of human dignity and the sanctity of life, which are shared across our state. The solutions in this bill are urgent, and it’s time for us to come together to deliver a hopeful future for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.
Support for Minnesotans During the Pandemic
This week, Governor Walz announced a plan to distribute $100 million in federal resources from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act toward housing assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. As rent and mortgage payments continue to come due, many Minnesotans are struggling to maintain secure housing. Minnesotans can begin applying for assistance with local grant administrators in the first part of August. Additional information about grants can be found on the Minnesota Housing website at www.mnhousing.gov.
Last week, the Governor announced similar plans to help support food security and child care for Minnesotans. $12 million has been dedicated to approximately 300 food shelves across the state, and information about food assistance resources is available on the state’s food emergency webpage. For child care, $56.6 million has gone to support providers who are facing enormous challenges during the pandemic. Families seeking care can call the Child Care Aware parent line at 1-888-291-9811 or visit mn.gov/childcare for a map of open providers.
Jobs, Local Projects, and Critical Economic Investments
Another key piece of unfinished business this session is passing the Jobs and Local Projects bill, often referred to as the bonding bill. This legislation would fund priorities like clean water, transportation, higher education, economic development, parks, trails, and other public buildings and infrastructure. During these tough economic times, in addition to protecting public infrastructure, this bill would create some sorely-needed jobs, too. The House’s proposal contains several important projects in the city of Saint Paul including the Victoria Theater renovation, the Third Street/Kellogg Blvd. Bridge, the International Institute of Minnesota, Como Zoo, the Minnesota Humanities Center and more.
This year, I’m incredibly proud our bonding bill contains a strong package of equity investments in organizations important to Indigenous and communities of color. You can see the complete list of projects in our bill, which the House Ways and Means Committee approved Tuesday, here.
2020 Census
Here’s a reminder that if you have not yet already done so, it’s important that everyone in our community responds to the 2020 Census. It only takes a few minutes. More online, mail, or phone responses mean fewer census workers needing to go door to door during the COVID-19 pandemic which will keep everyone safer.
Census data determines how billions of dollars in federal funding is allocated toward priorities like health care, education, public safety, and roads & bridges. It also impacts representation at the local, state, and national levels. As many folks know, Minnesota’s population trends put us on the cusp of losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a reduction from eight to seven would result in diminished influence in Washington.
You can respond to the Census online here, by phone, or by mail. Please spread the word! Share this link with your family, friends, and neighbors. It’s up to all of us to ensure this process results in a fair, comprehensive count of everybody in our state.
Final Update
This will be my last e-update until after November’s election, as sitting legislators are prohibited from sending unsolicited communications like these during an election period. I still want to hear from you though! Feel free to call or email me any time with your input, ideas, or if I can be of assistance. You can also stay in touch by liking or following my Facebook page, and keep up to date by subscribing to House Public Information Services’ nonpartisan resources.
I hope you enjoy your summer. Please continue to do your part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We all have a role to play to keep everyone safe and healthy, so continue to practice social distancing, stay home when you’re sick, and wear a mask around others.
It’s an honor to serve as your voice at the State Capitol, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative