Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 10, 2020


W
June 10, 2020


Updates from the Governor

As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and grapple with needed police reform following George Floyd’s death, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced that they will convene a special legislative session beginning Friday, June 12. The Governor and Lt. Governor’s priorities for special session are clear: We will pass police reform and accountability and build a stronger, more equitable economy.

“Minnesota is at a turning point. This is our chance to take strong action to combat persistent structural inequities, pass substantive police reform, and build a stronger economy,” said Governor Walz. “I look forward to working with the legislature to seize this moment and build a brighter future for Minnesotans.”

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan know that the best ideas come from community, and they are committed to working with the Legislature, the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, and community leaders to take strong action to combat persistent structural inequities, pass substantive police reform, and build a stronger, more vibrant economy for all Minnesotans – especially for those whose economic well-being and businesses have been hit hardest. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 10, 2020”

Border Wall Land Grabs Accelerate as Owners Shelter From Pandemic

New York Times logoWith private property proving hard to acquire, the administration has stepped up efforts to secure land on the Mexican border for President Trump’s wall.

WASHINGTON, DC — The Trump administration is accelerating efforts to seize private property for President Trump’s border wall, taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to survey land while its owners are confined indoors, residents along the Rio Grande say.

“Is that essential business?” asked Nayda Alvarez, 49, who recently found construction markers on the land in Starr County, Texas, that has been in her family for five generations. “That didn’t stop a single minute during the shelter in place or stay at home.”

The federal government brought a flurry of lawsuits against landowners in South Texas to survey, seize and potentially begin construction on private property in the first five months of the year as the administration rushed to deliver on Mr. Trump’s promise to build 450 miles of wall by the end of the year, which he downgraded on Thursday to 400. While Mr. Trump has built less than 200 of those miles, his administration has brought 78 lawsuits against landowners on the border, 30 of them this year. Continue reading.

FEMA finds itself in uncharted waters with coronavirus

The Hill logoWhen a staffer working at Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) headquarters tested positive for the coronavirus late last month, agency leadership set about informing those who may have been exposed.

FEMA leaders gathered others working on the same floor as the infected individual and put them in a room standing “shoulder to shoulder,” according to an official familiar with the episode, exasperating some who worried about crowding people together when the government was urging the public to practice social distancing.

The handling of the positive test underscores the unusual position FEMA finds itself in as the lead agency in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading.

In the Know: January 30, 2020

2020 Election
In a nod to Spanish-speaking Latino voters, Iowa caucus will feature bilingual sites, NBC News

Agriculture
HOW THE NORTH AMERICAN TRADE DEAL WILL AFFECT DAIRY, CHICKEN, EGGS, AND MORE, Successful Agriculture

Attorney General Keith Ellison
‘It does absolutely pay to complain’: Feds help some Minnesota phone scam victims collect, MPR Continue reading “In the Know: January 30, 2020”

January Congressional District Forum in Maple Grove

If you haven’t been able to attend one of our previous forums, or are interested in hearing more from our candidates, please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our next forum:

What:  DFL Congressional Candidate Forum

When:  Tuesday, January 23, 2018, registration starts at 6:00 PM, forum begins at 6:30 PM

Where:  Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd, Maple Grove, MN 55369

We’re pleased to announce this forum will be moderated by Katie Rodriguez.

Please submit your questions in advance here.  Deadline for submissions midnight, Sunday, January 14, 2018.

January CD3 DFL Gubernatorial Candidate Forum

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for our next candidate forum:

What:  DFL Gubernatorial Candidate Forum

When:  Saturday, January 13, 2018, registration Starts at 8:30 AM, forum begins at 9:00 AM

Where:  Hennepin Technical College Auditorium, 13100 Collegeview Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347

We’re pleased to announce this forum will be moderated by Rep. Jon Applebaum.

Please submit your questions in advance here.  Deadline for submissions midnight, Sunday, January 7, 2018.

Our November 15, 2017 Congressional Candidate Forum

We had a great turn out for our November 15 forum. Thanks to everyone who came out in the dark to hear from the candidates running for endorsement.  And, thanks to the candidates who came to talk to the people of CD3.

If you weren’t able to join us, SD33 DFL live streamed the event.  We’ve uploaded the video below: