Category: SD40

Dear Neighbors,

Finally, we are able to close a chapter in Minnesota with a sense of relief and justice for George Floyd. Still, it does not relieve the fact that George Floyd died. Read the POCI statement on the Derek Chauvin verdict here. Last week has been incredibly hard for us as a city in Brooklyn Center. In the midst of the Derek Chauvin trial, we could not have imagined any worst timing than to see another young black man killed by law enforcement. No matter what Daunte should have done, he did not have to die. At 20 years old, he should have lived a life full of opportunities and love from his family and friends.

While the community grieves and is re-traumatized, we saw our businesses looted and damaged. The places where we usually run our daily errands don’t look like the places we frequent. It pains me to see our community grieve another innocent loss of life and to see our home look not quite like home. 

However, over the week we built ourselves up. Brooklyn Center residents came together to organize donations, people, food and supplies to help those in need and affected by the events over the last week. I saw neighbors talking to one another and found healing to share our pain and mourn a tragedy. If you are a Brooklyn Center resident affected by the recent events, please contact my office and we can direct you to resources that can offer financial assistance, advocacy and direct services. 

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced the expansion of vaccine eligibility for people 16 years of age and older starting March 30th. The announcement is in response to the increased supply of vaccines by the federal government to arrive in April. This is fantastic news and a clear sign that we are entering the final stretch of fighting this vaccine. Read more about this development here.

 If you haven’t yet, sign up for the state’s Vaccine Connector to get connected with opportunities once you’re eligible.

Heroes Week

This week was busy for us as we moved to pass significant legislation that would meet the needs of workers, families, and first responders who sacrificed the most over the last year to protect their communities. It’s not enough to call these folks heroes and credit them for all they’ve done, we must also back our words with action. Here is some of the legislation we passed this week to help Minnesota’s heroes emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dear Neighbors,

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), immigrants, and international citizens. Over the past month in particular, there has been a rise of anti-AAPI violence, and these violent acts have culminated in the horrific murders in Atlanta, which included six AAPI women. We must all stand up and confront hate when we see it, I stand with our AAPI communities and will work to ensure that we feel safe wherever and whoever we are. Please watch my colleague Rep. Tou Xiong’s speechon this tragedy, and the Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucuses statement on the issue.

Bills Progressing

Two bills of mine were heard in committees. One, HF 718, would allow cities to adopt pesticide control ordinances, which is currently prohibited and would create more pollinator-friendly habitats. You can watch my presentation on this bill here. The second bill, HF 970 diversifies mental health providers across the state. We have a long standing workforce shortage in our mental health providers combined with increased needs for mental healthcare due to the pandemic, my bill seeks comprehensive support to diversify providers from rural Minnesota and BIPOC providers.

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you have been able to get outdoors and enjoy this early taste of spring! Our days are getting brighter both literally and figuratively. Minnesota was recently ranked 3rd in our ability to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine. At our current rate we should be able to vaccinate 70% of Minnesotans 65 years or older by the end of the month! With the new single dose vaccines now available, this pace will continue to speed up.

Renters Rights

This week my bill, HF 969, was heard in the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. This important bill would require landlords to follow the same debt collecting practices of debt collectors and prevent them using abusive practices to collect rent. This is just one more protection we can give renters to ensure that they are treated fairly. You can watch my presentation on the bill here.