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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL)

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Legislative Update – June 12, 2020

Friday, June 12, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Today, the House and Senate convened in special session. Much of the work ahead of us is rooted in rebuilding: rebuilding infrastructure, rebuilding relationships, rebuilding communities, and rebuilding trust. Our efforts to build a Minnesota that works better for all of us – with no exceptions – are based in four major areas, which I will outline in this update.


Help for Small Businesses and Local Governments

In our state’s work to keep Minnesotans safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have been forced to make countless sacrifices and have experienced tremendous economic pain due to no fault of their own. The federal government has enacted some assistance measures, but these have largely been out of reach from the small businesses that need this funding the most. Today, the House approved a measure to invest $62.5 million in a small business grant program – with $60 million coming from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Under the bill, small businesses with 50 or fewer employees can receive grants up to $10,000 each with priority given to those businesses that were forced to operate at 50 percent capacity or less, generally including restaurants, bars, retail stores, salons and other businesses.

Local government budgets have also been impacted harshly during this pandemic. The CARES Act included funding for our cities, counties, and townships, and we are committed to delivering this needed funding to ensure Minnesotans can continue to receive the essential public services they count on.


Jobs and Local Projects Bill and Other Unfinished Business

Among the biggest items we couldn’t reach a consensus on during the regular session was a Jobs and Local Projects bill with infrastructure investments we desperately need. The House approved a robust package of capital investments, including important Iron Range priorities such as the new Hibbing Mine View, water level mitigation at the Canisteo and Hill Annex Mine Pits, the East Itasca Joint Sewer Board’s new wastewater treatment system for Nashwauk and surrounding communities, Floodwood’s wastewater pond stabilization project and more.

We have the capacity to make these investments, and interest rates are still low. A Jobs and Local Projects bill will strengthen public infrastructure while creating sorely needed jobs. I’ll continue to push for a bill containing these priorities in our region and across the state.


Police Accountability Reforms

George Floyd should still be with us, and it was absolutely heart wrenching to watch video of a Minneapolis police officer with his knee on his neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, killing him. His family and community deserve justice.

People across the globe have been calling for strengthened police accountability and criminal justice reforms, and in Minnesota, we must seize this moment to enact meaningful changes.

Some lawmakers have said we don’t have the time to work on an issue so significant during a special session. I disagree, and many of these solutions have already been introduced and discussed for several years.

To be clear, reforms and increased accountability don’t mean defunding law enforcement agencies. I deeply value the contributions from law enforcement in our region, and am grateful that our communities by and large have strong relationships with our police and sheriff’s departments. Unfortunately, that’s not the case everywhere. These aren’t easy conversations, but every single Minnesotan deserves to have respectful, safe interactions with law enforcement. We need to give Minnesotans of color a space to be heard, and I’m hopeful we can take steps toward reforms.


Rebuilding Communities

In the days following George Floyd’s killing, there was a great deal of righteous anger, and I was moved by communities lifting their voices up to demand change. Unfortunately, there was also a great deal of property destruction, which no community deserves to experience. Many of the businesses damaged were owned by people of color and immigrants. This destruction was unrighteous and divisive, and not unifying or productive. Further, it does nothing to cause anyone to take pause and reflect upon their own implicit biases, and frankly distracted from the taking of a human life.

I’m inspired by the donations from individuals and businesses of food, supplies, and money, but the neighborhoods impacted will need much more assistance. While we work to build bridges to overcome racism and injustice, we have to deliver resources to communities so they can rebuild and create new opportunities. There’s a bipartisan recognition this will need to be part of our special session agenda.

Please continue to contact me with your input, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.

Together,

Julie Sandstede
State Representative