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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL)

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Legislative Update- June 5, 2020

Friday, June 5, 2020

Rep. Youakim

 

Dear Neighbors,

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our SD 46 Police Reform Virtual Town Hall Wednesday evening. If you missed it and would like to watch a recording of the event, click here.

A package of legislation was announced early this week, crafted by our People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus. I am committed to reforms that hold police officers accountable for their actions, move us towards a community-centered approach to public safety, and ultimately bring forth justice for everyone no matter who they are or where they live.

  • Reform the investigation and prosecution of officer-involved deaths and wrongful actions
  • Increase police accountability and transparency
  • Raise standards of conduct and support officer excellence
  • Partner officers with the communities they serve
  • Repair and build community trust and create community-centered public safety

I don’t have all the answers right now, but I know that our community is strong and that by working together we will create a better Minnesota for all.

 

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I was proud to join our POCI Caucus members this week to announce new legislation.

Special Session

The Legislature is expected to convene for a special session June 12th. My top priority in addition to passing more COVID-19 relief measures and a jobs and local projects bill is passing racial justice & police accountability legislation that has been shaped by our community members and POCI Caucus. The Twin Cities also need economic aid to repair badly damaged and completely destroyed businesses, many of which are Black-owned, immigrant-owned, and family owned businesses that have been in our communities for decades.

According to the Star Tribune, more than 360 businesses across the Twin Cities have been vandalized, looted or had doors and windows smashed. Some have been reduced to rubble, and at least 66 have been destroyed completely by fire. Others have reported extensive water damage or severe fire damage. I participated in a walking tour yesterday to survey areas hardest hit as a result of the rioting with my House and Senate colleagues. We had the chance to hear directly from business owners and families along Lake Street in Minneapolis and University Avenue in St. Paul.

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Phase III of Stay Safe MN Plan

The Governor announced starting Wednesday, June 10, Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan will start:

  • Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
  • Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
  • Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.
  • Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may open at 50 percent capacity while requiring reservations.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.

Stay Safe MN 5 Safe Practices

Keep in Touch

Please continue to contact me with questions, ideas, or thoughts at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn. I always appreciate hearing from you, so never hesitate to reach out anytime. You can also leave me a voicemail at 651-296-9889.

Stay well and safe.

Cheryl
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