Local Issues 3 , CD3 DFL

Hennepin County establishes Juneteenth as a paid holiday for staff

On Tuesday, county commissioners established Juneteenth as a paid holiday for Hennepin County employees.

“Juneteeth commemorates the end of slavery and the triumphs, culture and achievements of African Americans locally and across the United States. This is an opportunity to think about the centuries of work that African Americans have done to advance equity in this county and build this country,” said Commissioner Angela Conley, District 4.

Juneteenth falls on Saturday, June 19, in 2021. Therefore, Hennepin County will observe the previous workday, Friday, June 18, as a paid holiday for employees and close county offices.

Commissioner Chris LaTondresse (Dist. 6) Update: May 15, 2021

May 14, 2021

Dear friends and neighbors,

This week the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), which I Chair, unanimously approved a historic $17.1 million in new investments for affordable housing. This is not only the largest amount we’ve ever awarded at once to support affordable housing, it offers new focus and urgency on how our County is confronting this crisis.

For District 6 this action brings $2.85 million in new investments to five different projects that will create at least 416 affordable housing units in Edina, Minnetonka and Hopkins.

Our community is facing intersecting crises in housing, homelessness, income, public health and public safety. These crises affect all of us, and disproportionately harms communities of color. Now is the time for government to step up and take bold, innovative action to meet these challenges. That is what we’ve done with this week’s round of new investments.

HC Commissioner Chris LaTondresse (Dist. 6) Update: May 7, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

“Warmer and wetter.” These two words not only describe Minnesota’s climate future. They represent the current reality experienced by many Hennepin County residents, as we all learn to adapt new realities brought on by climate change. A recent report lists Minnesota as second in the nation for extreme weather events and another Federal analysis shows that we are warming faster than many other states.

That’s why I am proud to share that this week Hennepin County officially adopted our Climate Action Plan, building on our new Net-Zero by 2050 emissions goal and the creation of a new director-level role responsible for operationalizing this work across our organization. On Tuesday I spotlighted two important themes of the plan—Resilience and Partnerships—at Arden Park in Edina, where improvements led by the City of Edina and Minnehaha Watershed District in partnership with County offer a model for the future.

Learn more about the Climate Action Plan and the event (covered by WCCO and the Star Tribune) below.

HC Commissioner Debbie Goettel (Dist. 6) Update: May 4, 2021

Hennepin Happening

Welcome to the District 5 May newsletter! Scroll down to read more about

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HC Commissioner Chris LaTondresse (Dist. 6) Update: April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Please join me tomorrow for my monthly ‘Coffee with Chris’ series where we sit down over a cup of coffee for an informal conversation. This Saturday, May 1, you can join me by clicking here.

Updates you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

🌎 Climate Action Plan Updates: The plan (PDF) the board considered earlier this week reflects additional changes that were made based on the comments received.

DOJ announces sweeping probe into Minneapolis policing practices

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday announced that the Justice Department will open a sweeping investigation into whether the Minneapolis Police Department has a “pattern or practice” of discriminatory policing practices.

Why it matters: The federal probe, which will also examine MPD’s handling of misconduct allegations against officers, could result in significant changes to policing in Minneapolis in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

The announcement comes a day after a jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s killing, setting off celebrations across the country. Continue reading.

Calling All Home Cooks!

CD3 DFL is working on a new version of our CD3 Cookbook, and want to include your best home recipes. (Please include only your original recipes for submission — no copy written content). We will include all we receive by May 31, 2021

Please use the link below to submit your entries and we can’t wait to cook up a storm!

Submit your recipes here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekgX4t1U3kjq3x4SRySBjqo8xJvsBxNYfNJSE8aGijFA6k0w/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0NsX7NvXJdKhqI4TlQn_SuNlZUUvzJx4m09WlnJ3WGEn49WdRYdKaFNeU

Hennepin County Sheriff: Statement on Chauvin Verdict

Yesterday, a jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers in Hennepin County found him guilty of murder. He was immediately taken into custody and transferred to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

While nothing can bring George Floyd back to life or fully heal the pain felt by his family, friends, and community, we hope this outcome brings at least some solace.

In no uncertain terms, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office supports the jury in their decision to convict. Those of us in law enforcement have sworn an oath to serve and protect. Most sworn law enforcement officers think seriously about this oath each and every day. Those who do not or cannot live up to these words have no place in this profession.

Derek Chauvin’s conviction is an important moment, but there is much work to be done. Every day, the men and women of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office are working hard on new initiatives to make positive change. We eagerly await having conversations with members of the community and hearing their thoughts. We look forward to a better tomorrow for everyone.

Take care of yourselves and one another,

– Sheriff David P. Hutchinson

HC Commissioner Chris LaTondresse Update: April 16, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week our community is mourning and responding to the loss of Daunte Wright, a Black resident in Hennepin County. His death at hands of local law enforcement heaps injustice upon a mountain of grief that no mother, no citizen, no community should ever experience from those sworn to serve and protect them. As neighbors and fellow citizens, we must demand equal justice and public safety for all of our residents, no exceptions. View my full statement below.

Updates you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

🌳 Climate Action Plan Updates: An updated version of the Climate Action Plan (PDF) is available online and has been submitted to the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners for consideration on Tuesday, April 27 and adoption on Tuesday, May 5. The public is encouraged to share feedback on the latest changes made to the plan by completing the Climate Action Plan feedback form by Thursday, April 22 at noon.

April Newsletter from Hennepin County Commissioner Anderson

April, 2021

Hello friends and neighbors,

We continue to live in difficult times, and to be silent when my neighbors are suffering is not an option. I have not experienced the same, raw, trauma that my Black friends and neighbors have lived with their whole lives, but I see it in their faces, and hear it in their voices. I’m heartbroken by the loss of Daunte Wright, who was senselessly killed by police. I’m frustrated by a militarized response to public grief, and angry at crimes of opportunity and looting.

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Hennepin Happening

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