Dear Neighbors,

Work continues during our special session to strengthen the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of Minnesotans during these challenging times. Here’s an update from the Capitol.

Bonding Bill

One of the best ways we can help our economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic is to make a strong series of investments in public infrastructure. The House’s Jobs, Local Projects, and Critical Economic Investments bill – often referred to as the bonding bill – contains $1.8 billion in renovations, repairs, and replacement of public assets like higher education institutions, clean water infrastructure, correctional facilities, roads and bridges, parks and trails, municipal buildings and more. In our region, the bill contains funding for building upgrades at Minnesota State University – Mankato, Minnesota River riverbank restoration, and phase two of the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center renovation.

A full list of the projects included can be accessed here. This is a unique bill because in order for the state to sell bonds, we need a 3/5ths supermajority vote. So far, the Republican minority has held up progress on these critical investments. I’m hopeful that we can reach a compromise soon so work can begin on these important projects and we can get more Minnesotans back on the job.

Criminal Justice Reform

Following George Floyd’s tragic killing in May, we’re still working to enact criminal justice reforms to ensure all Minnesotans can have safe, positive interactions with law enforcement. The Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020 – developed by the Legislature’s People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus – aims to strengthen accountability, reclaim community oversight, and reimagine public safety. One element of the bill I’m particularly pleased with allows for civilian oversight councils to strengthen local control and improve transparency.

Vote by Mail

A great way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to vote absentee from the comfort of your own home. Doing this will help protect other voters and election officials, as well as yourself.

Applications are available for absentee ballots for the upcoming primary and general elections here. 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 it here.

Final Update

This will be my last email update to you this summer. Due to state law, no matter if we’re running for reelection or not, legislators can’t send out communications like these using state resources during election season. While I’m not seeking reelection to the House this fall, I want to share with you how incredible this honor has been for me. Our Mankato community is a terrific place to live, work, and raise a family, I want to thank each and every one of you for the opportunity to serve, both on the city council and in the state legislature.

I’m not done yet, though. I will still be your representative through the rest of the year, so feel free to contact me with your input or if there’s something I can assist with.

Have a great summer.

Sincerely,

Jack Considine
State Representative