Dear Neighbors,

It’s been a busy time at the State Capitol, with House many committees examining the governor’s budget proposal, while also beginning to advance many of our key initiatives to help Minnesotans recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s an update.

Governor Walz’s Recovery Budget

Governor Tim Walz recently announced his budget proposal for the next two years focused on addressing the numerous challenges Minnesotans are facing due to the pandemic, and helping to aid in our recovery. The proposal prioritizes working families, ensures students catch up on learning, and helps small businesses stay afloat while driving economic recovery. We aren’t going to cut our way out of this challenge, and to boost our recovery, we need to continue our investments in the things Minnesotans value most. To help accomplish this, the governor’s budget ensures big corporations and the wealthiest Minnesotans pay their fair share. You can learn more of the details of the proposal on Governor Walz’s website.

The governor’s budget proposal is just a starting point, and soon lawmakers will develop our own budget proposal. We may differ on the details, but we share the same goals of ensuring we can overcome the pandemic and securing a strong future for all Minnesotans, no matter where you live or what you look like.

Last Monday, I chaired a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee where we received an overview of the proposal from Minnesota Management and Budget officials. Video of the hearing is available on YouTube.

Reconnecting Rondo

While it’s been many decades since the construction of I-94 tore through the Rondo Neighborhood, the pain remains deeply felt within our community. Last week, the House Transportation Committee discussed a proposal to build a land bridge over the section of I-94 in our community. In 2018, the Urban Land Institute released a study showing some of the possibilities for the project, which isn’t just a bridge to reconnect the neighborhood, but would also help strengthen the community’s cultural legacy.

WCCO, the Pioneer Press, and MinnPost all highlighted the exciting idea.

Legalize. Expunge. Regulate.

People from all demographic backgrounds, in all areas of the state, are demanding a change to our state’s outdated cannabis policies. Last week, I joined several of my DFL legislative colleagues including House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler to announce new legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in Minnesota, creating a responsible regulatory structure.

Significantly, the bill would also expunge most cannabis convictions. Nowhere is the harm of the failed criminal prohibition felt more than on Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, which continue to experience outrageous disparities regarding enforcement of our current marijuana laws. Black Minnesotans are over five times more likely to be arrested for marijuana than those who are white. This is one of the worst disparities in the nation, and true even though both groups use it at similar rates.

You can watch our press conference announcing the legislation here.

Earned Sick and Safe Time

COVID-19 has highlighted how important it is to stay home when you’re sick, not just to protect you and your family, but to protect the entire community. Unfortunately, too many workers in the state don’t have access to any type of paid sick leave.

Through strong grassroots efforts, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Duluth have adopted policies requiring all workers to receive Earned Sick and Safe Time. Last week, a proposal to expand this key benefit to all Minnesota workers received its first committee hearing. The legislation would ensure, at a minimum, one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to at least 48 hours per year.

In Minnesota, we care for one another, and everyone deserves to be safe and healthy, no matter where you live or where you work. Earned Sick and Safe Time will not just help us get through this pandemic, it will help more Minnesota workers experience economic security so we can be a stronger, healthier state.

Please feel free to reach out throughout the session 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