Legislative Update: Eastside Youth, St. Paul Delegation Meeting, Poultry Worker's Rights

Dear Neighbors,

Session begins next Monday at 12:00pm. Catch the livestream on the House website here. It's been a jam-packed week for constituent meetings, I'll let you in on what we've talked about below.

Spotlight: Meat Processing Workers

This week, I joined Rep. Dan Wolgamott to discuss the health and safety of our meat and poultry processing workers. It has been a rough couple of years for all of us, but food workers especially workers in meat and poultry processing plants have had intensified hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these hardships, these workers remain resilient and kept Minnesotans fed during the pandemic. I was able to get the chance to see what working in a meatpacking plant is like during a pandemic and why we need to enact the Minnesota Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act this session.

St. Paul Delegation Meeting

As your legislator, it's my duty to meet with officials at all levels of government to ensure that your needs are being met. This week, I enjoyed meeting with SPPD Chief Todd Axtell, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, and state police on public safety concerns in St. Paul. We're working together.

Eastside Youth Enrichment Services

This week, I met with constituents about the work that the Bright Foundation Academy does with Eastside Youth. Find out more here.

Mini-Survey

The legislative session is just around the corner, set to begin January 31. Please take a moment to share your input on priorities important to you by responding to this email with your thoughts. I appreciate your feedback.

What is the most important priority you’d like to see the legislature accomplish this session? 

A. Expanded health care access

B. Bonus checks for frontline workers

C. Infrastructure investments

D. Enhanced public safety

E. Closing gaps in workforce shortages

F. Mental health and additional educational support for students

G. Other

POCI Caucus Presser

This week, members of the House POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) Caucus announced new co-chairs Esther Agbaje (DFL – Minneapolis) and Athena Hollins (DFL – Saint Paul) and our priorities going into the 2022 session. POCI communities across the state have been hit harder by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have historically struggled to see adequate investment in Minnesota. Now, with more members of color in the legislature than ever before, the POCI Caucus urges House and Senate leaders to use the $7.7 billion surplus to address these systemic disparities.

“We know that the pandemic only highlighted the crises in housing, education, and public safety for Black and Brown Minnesotans,” said Co-Chair Esther Agbaje. “This unprecedented surplus means these communities can no longer be ignored. We plan to work with our partners to invest in our communities to the benefit of all Minnesotans.”

Video of POCI Caucus Press Conference

Keep in Touch

Don’t hesitate to contact me anytime at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-4201 if you need assistance.

It’s an honor to serve our Eastside neighborhoods at the State Capitol.

In Solidarity,

Jay Xiong

State Representative