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Dear Neighbors,

The news cycle since inauguration day has been extremely hopeful for the future of our nation, from President Biden's decision to halt the Keystone XL pipeline, lifting the travel ban enacted by Trump, reversing the ban on our transgender population in the military, and signed orders to expand food stamps and raise wages, a bold, humane, swift action to protect workers and help struggling families.

The climate of bold action for community betterment is additionally reflected in local government as well! Through the introduction and passing of legislation designed to drive economic recovery in Minnesota, we are complimenting federal efforts to progress towards a better future.

Advocating For Victims of Violence

This week I presented my first chief authored bill (H. F. 321), to The House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy Committee, which passed with a 11-6 vote and will be moving forward to the House Judiciary committee for further vetting.

The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) was established in 2000 as a key tool for law enforcement in the detection, investigation, or prosecution of certain serious criminal activity, and offers protections to victims of qualifying criminal activities. A large percentage of U visas are granted to victims of domestic violence. The process involves a “U visa certification” by law enforcement, verifying cooperation by the victim in its investigation or prosecution. 

Minnesota is a leader in advocating for victims of domestic violence and this bill is a reflection of that commitment. This bill provides critical guidance on the administrative process and timelines for U visa certification, which is helpful both to victims and to law enforcement.

I am very excited to partner with advocates and experts to ensure that law enforcement has clarity on its role in the U visa process. This bill also provides immigrant victims with firm expectations around the timing of the process as they simultaneously struggle with both the immigration process and their trauma.

The hearing presented testimony and written statements from a variety of groups, including support from MNCASA, Violence Free Minnesota, the Advocates for Human Rights and a local public safety director.

Racial Justice and Public Safety 

I requested to serve on the Public Safety Committee in the Minnesota Legislature to be part of a discussion around public safety infrastructure in our community that respects human rights and ensures racial justice. For this reason, I want to amplify and invite you to engage by:

1. Reading the racial Justice report by the House Select Committee on Racial Justice to the House legislature.

2. Joining Attorney General Ellison, Rep. Hollins, and Rep. Frazier on a listening session broadcasted on AG Ellison's Facebook, where you can comment with your questions about criminal justice and vision forward.

Governor Walz: Due North Education Plan

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the Due North Education Plan, a sweeping agenda for the future of education in Minnesota. Developed from a robust engagement effort with educators, school leaders, students, and families across the state, the Due North Education Plan is centered on ensuring every child in Minnesota receives a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code. You can watch the announcement on the Governor’s YouTube page.

On Governor Walz's COVID-19 Recovery Budget

Minnesotans across the state were hit by this unfortunate pandemic in different ways, and as lawmakers, it is our job to support our workforce, students and small businesses to emerge from this crisis stronger than they were before. 

I look forward to partnering with Governor Walz to introduce legislation that will confront the challenges faced by Minnesotans and invest in the future of our state.

Read more about the budget details here. 

Strengthening Our Democracy Through Legislation

In my newsletter last week, I highlighted the legislative efforts around voting accessibility and election reform. I want to follow up the conversation with some additional and helpful break down about what House File 9, chief authored by fellow first-term legislator, Representative Greenman, aims to address to build a strong, inclusive democracy. The legislation will: 

• Prohibit intimidating and harassing voters or elections officials and using deceptive practices to disenfranchise voters.
• Ensure state and local elections officials can access the critical federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds they need for election security and infrastructure.
• Establish automatic voter registration, allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, and restores the right to vote for Minnesotans who are on probation or parole.
• Takes steps to increase transparency and unveil who is spending money to influence our elections,modernizes the Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program, replacing it with Democracy Dollars coupons that are available to all registered Minnesota voters.
• Improve Minnesota’s redistricting process. It sets fair criteria for lawmakers to follow when drawing and evaluating maps and creates a public process to solicit Minnesotans’ input, make redistricting data available to the public, and provide advance notice of maps and hearings.

Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with the MN House Public Information Services for an interview. Check out the following video to learn more about me and what drives me to serve my community. 

Staying In Touch

I’ve heard from many members of the community and engaged in thought-provoking email exchanges and Zoom meetings on a variety of topics since the start of this role. These have included emails about protecting the Boundary Waters, respectful differences of opinion on the Stand Your Ground bill, input from experts in the district on mental health services to students in K-12 schools and how we identify learning disabilities, and an interesting email exchange about whether to legalize sports betting in Minnesota. As ever, I find these emails from residents of 41B to be one of the most gratifying and energizing aspects of my new role and I welcome further discussion on all issues important to you. 

You can stay up to date on our work for the 2021 Legislative Session by subscribing to these legislative updates and “liking” my official Facebook page. For any questions you have on the resources available to our community or our work in the Minnesota House, you can reach me at rep.sandra.feist@house.mn or leave a voicemail at (651) 296-4331. I look forward to hearing from you.

In Solidarity, 

Sandra Feist

Minnesota State representative (House District 41B)