Category: SD46

Minnesota House passes PROMISE Act to help neighborhoods recover and rebuild

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the PROMISE Act — a comprehensive plan to help businesses rebuild and recover, many of which are Black, immigrant, and communities of color-owned.

PROMISE stands for Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs. The PROMISE Act is inspired by what many saw and heard from community members and business owners during tours of property damage in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The legislation includes $167 million in direct assistance to small businesses as well as $125 million to compensate individuals and businesses for uninsured property loss.

“The Promise Act is a promise we are making to the neighborhoods most impacted by civil unrest after a police officer murdered George Floyd,” said Rep. Mohamud Noor, the bill’s chief author. “It’s a promise to have the backs of people of color, and indigenous and immigrant-owned businesses built from the ground up. It’s a promise to choose vibrancy and culture over gentrified redevelopment as we rebuild. It’s a promise to make sure the people who live and work in these special corridors are the ones who get to decide what their future looks like.” 

“We must take immediate action to support and rebuild our wounded communities. The Promise Act will support our communities in an equitable and holistic way so we can rebuild for and by the community,” said Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL – Minneapolis). “These commercial hubs are the lifeblood of our minority and immigrant communities. By rebuilding with an intentional focus on equity we can avoid the devastating effects of gentrification.” 

The legislation would:

  • Create a special panel to review cases and provide direct compensation to impacted individuals.
  • Partner with cities and community organizations to create economic relief programs for impacted businesses and organizations.
  • Give local units of government flexibility and tools to prevent gentrification.
  • Direct the Minnesota Department of Commerce to assist business owners, and require insurance companies to notify the department of any rejected claims.
  • Help with the rising cost of leases for eligible residential and commercial properties.
  • Eliminate the sales tax on the purchase of construction materials used to rebuild damaged or destroyed properties.
  • Provide property and sales tax cuts for eligible properties.
  • Establish a “Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Corporation” to create a long-term plan for equity-driven redevelopment and transformation.

“We need to make sure that Lake Street stays Lake Street, that Midway stays Midway, and that Broadway stays Broadway,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “These are strong economic and cultural centers of our cities, and we have to help them in a way that promotes equity and prevents gentrification. Minnesotans expect to see growth and rebirth in a better way, led by the Black and Brown Minnesotans who built these special, vibrant places.” 

 

“Our communities and these businesses, many of them minority-owned and already struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, need resources to rebuild,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Promise Act is a comprehensive plan to help those impacted that puts equity at the center of our recovery efforts. The Legislature must move quickly to help these communities recover.”

 

House DFL legislators announce economic aid plan for destroyed, damaged businesses

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House DFL legislators who represent the most impacted areas from civil unrest announced the PROMISE Act — a comprehensive plan to help businesses rebuild and recover, many of which are Black, immigrant, and communities of color-owned.

PROMISE stands for Providing Resources, Opportunity and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs. The PROMISE Act is a top special session priority for DFL legislators and is inspired by what many saw and heard from community members and business owners during tours of property damage in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

“We must take immediate action to support and rebuild our wounded communities. The Promise Act will support our communities in an equitable and holistic way so we can rebuild for and by the community,” said Rep. Hodan Hassan (DFL – Minneapolis). “These commercial hubs are the lifeblood of our minority and immigrant communities. By rebuilding with an intentional focus on equity we can avoid the devastating effects of gentrification.”

The legislation would:

  • Create a special panel to review cases and provide direct compensation to impacted individuals.
  • Partner with cities and community organizations to create economic relief programs for impacted businesses and organizations.
  • Give local units of government flexibility and tools to prevent gentrification.
  • Direct the Minnesota Department of Commerce to assist business owners, and require insurance companies to notify the department of any rejected claims.
  • Help with the rising cost of leases for eligible residential and commercial properties.
  • Eliminate the sales tax on the purchase of construction materials used to rebuild damaged or destroyed properties.
  • Provide property and sales tax cuts for eligible properties.
  • Establish a “Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Corporation” to create a long-term plan for equity-driven redevelopment and transformation.

“While we work on long-needed and overdue racial justice and police accountability legislation, we must also help our impacted businesses and communities recover and rebuild,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “These are strong economic and cultural centers of our cities, and we have to help them in a way that promotes equity and prevents gentrification. The extensive property damage and loss in these communities requires us to take urgent action and deliver results.” 

“Our communities and these businesses, many of them minority-owned and already struggling due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, need resources to rebuild,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Today, we’re putting forward a comprehensive plan to help those impacted, that puts equity at the center of our recovery efforts. The Legislature must move quickly to help these communities recover. I want to thank Majority Leader Winkler for agreeing to lead this important work, and the Minneapolis and St. Paul legislative delegations and city staff for their collaborative work on this proposal.”

 

Senator Ron Latz comments on justice for George Floyd

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Senator Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, DFL Lead on the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee, released the following statement in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

“Let’s call this what it is. George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officers. The first step is to hold all of the officers who were involved in the murder accountable for their actions. I am confident in my friend and colleague, Attorney General Keith Ellison, to prosecute this murder to the fullest.

“While we look to hold these police officers accountable for their actions, the protests carried out in memory of George Floyd by our communities of color and allies are the result of hundreds of years of institutional and systemic racism. I support peaceful protests and I will be working hard on policy and resources to create systemic change. Continue reading “Senator Ron Latz comments on justice for George Floyd”

Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (SD48) Update: May 18, 2020

May 18, 2020

Session Adjourns Sine Die, Special Session Likely

Image

As of this morning, the 91st legislative session of Minnesota has adjourned Sine Die, which means that the 2019-2020 biennium is officially over. We’ve gotten some good things done for Minnesota this year. One of the things I am most glad that we got done was the prevention of financial exploitation of seniors. Some additional items are:

  • An elections bill to help ensure everyone can vote safely in the midst of our current pandemic.
  • A Legacy bill to preserve our state’s clean water, land, and cultural heritage.
  • Passage of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act
  • Wage increase protections for our hard-working state employees.
  • A comprehensive health and human services bill.
  • The Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act.
  • A ban on the use of Trichloroethylene (TCE), a known toxin.

We also passed several emergency COVID-response bills over the course of the last two months, as nearly the whole second half of the legislative session took place during the pandemic.

Given that the state of emergency is still in place, we will likely be called back for a special session on June 12 if the emergency is further extended. This gives the legislature the option to end the state of emergency if both the House and Senate overturn it. During this special session, the legislature may also pass additional legislation. A lot of work was left unfinished when we adjourned, and some items I would like to see passed when we reconvene are:

  • A robust infrastructure bonding bill.
  • A bill to allow breweries to sell their products in cans during the pandemic.
  • Appropriations from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) to preserve our great outdoors.

Unfortunately, by the time of the special session it will be too late for our state’s thousands of hourly education workers. We fought hard to keep these critical staff employed and working with students, but unfortunately the Senate Majority impeded all of our efforts. You can view my floor speech on this by clicking HERE.

Celebrating and Reflecting on Minnesota’s 162nd Birthday

Image

Monday, May 11, was Statehood Day for Minnesota. This is one of only two days each year that the electrolier in the capitol rotunda is lit (the other being the first day of a legislative session). I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made over the last 162 years, and am grateful for everyone who exercised their civic duty along the way. It is always important to be reminded of the hard work of those who came before us, and of our responsibility to future generations.

Also in the spirit of reflection, and with the Pandemic facing us on a daily basis, I have often thought about the words at the Hubert H. Humphrey memorial outside the capitol.

Image
“The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.”

Minnesota Transitions to Phase 2 of COVID Response

Image

Last week, Governor Walz announced that he will not be extending the Stay Home order, and as of today it is officially ended. We will now be moving into phase two of our state’s response to COVID-19: Stay Safe MN. This will entail a much broader reopening of the economy, while still attempting to do so safely. Bars and restaurants may be allowed to reopen as early as June 1 at limited capacity.

Image

Thank you to everyone who took action and stayed home when possible during this last month and a half. We have bought valuable time for increasing our testing capacity, hospital bed availability, and supply of personal protective equipment. As the case number increases with broader reopening, our healthcare system will be more prepared to handle this surge. Together, we have saved lives.

Looking Ahead, and Looking Back

When prompted with the question, “What is the first thing you will do when stay-at-home orders are lifted and the economy in your state is fully opened?” roughly 1 in 5 U.S. adults wrote about visiting family, spending time with friends, and hugging loved ones.

After that, where will you want to go first? For me, it will be the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Image

During this pandemic, we have lost many before their time. In 1918, an artist died during the Influenza Pandemic. His name was Egon Schiele. He was twenty-eight. He left the world an unfinished portrait of a friend. That painting now sits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I look forward to seeing it again, like an old friend.

SD 48 Hosts Its First Online Town Hall

Image

On Wednesday at noon last week, Representative Pryor, Representative Kotyza-Witthuhn, and myself hosted a town hall meeting via Facebook Live. It was a new and interesting experience, and I would like to thank everyone who participated. In case you missed it, you can watch the saved footage online by clicking HERE.

Congratulations, Class of 2020

To all of the high school and college seniors out there missing out on the pomp and circumstance, I know what you are missing. But believe me, you will forever have this unique shared experience that will bond the class of 2020 like no other. You will enter the next phase of your life with a unique and fresh perspective. The people of my generation are waiting with excitement to see all that you will do. Good luck with your post-graduation plans. I spoke about this on the Senate Floor over the weekend, and you can view my speech by clicking HERE.

Minnesota House Leadership Statement on Transit Safety Provisions in the Transportation Policy Bill

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On May 14, the Minnesota House of Representatives tabled a transportation policy bill that included transit safety provisions. House Speaker Melissa Hortman, House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, and Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee) released the following statements:

“Transit safety is important to Minnesotans, and we remain committed to addressing this issue,” said Speaker Hortman. “When we placed the bill on the calendar for today, we believed there was an agreement with Republicans on language to address this issue. We are continuing to work to reach an agreement so this provision will become law.”

“The Minnesota House fully intends to take up transit safety legislation,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “As we near the end of the Legislative Session, we are prioritizing areas where we can reach agreement with the Senate and get critical work done for Minnesotans — including transportation investments and transit safety.”

“This is the time to pass transit safety measures so that when the COVID pandemic ends, Minnesotans will come back to a transit system that is more safe and secure,” said Rep. Brad Tabke. “I remain hopeful we can reach a bipartisan agreement to pass legislation before the end of session to benefit both suburban and metro riders.”

 

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on extended peacetime emergency, new Stay Safe order

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Last night, Governor Walz announced a 30 day extension of the peacetime emergency and that he will allow his Stay at Home order to expire on May 18. The Stay at Home order is being replaced by a new order encouraging Minnesotans to stay close to home but allows for gatherings of friends and family of 10 people or less. Retail businesses will be allowed to resume at 50 percent capacity if they have a social distancing plan, but restaurants, bars, gyms, salons and other venues that attract large crowds will remain closed until June 1.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements: Continue reading “Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on extended peacetime emergency, new Stay Safe order”

Minnesota House establishes Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced the formation of a Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding. The Select Committee will review the federal and state responses to the COVID19 pandemic to date and will assess policy changes needed moving forward.

“COVID-19 may reshape Minnesota for years to come, and the public policy challenges it presents are enormous,” said Speaker Hortman. “We are forming this Select Committee to take a deep-dive on these policy challenges as we work to respond to this pandemic and to rebuild Minnesota as a better and stronger state.”

The Select Committee will take a closer look at the pandemic’s impact on Minnesotans, what the state and federal government have done so far to respond, and possible future responses, including ensuring workplace safety and protecting workers’ rights, and broader societal changes — for example, ways education might be changed in the fall due to COVID-19. Continue reading “Minnesota House establishes Select Committee on Minnesota’s Pandemic Response and Rebuilding”

Minnesota House expected to ratify state employee contracts

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to ratify state employee contracts. Approximately 50,000 state employees are covered under these contracts, and the contracts are currently in effect.

“Our state employees provide essential services for the people of Minnesota — including critical work on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “The Legislature should ratify these contracts, which were negotiated in good faith and that have been in place for months. The Legislature gets an up or down vote, and does not have a role in negotiating different terms. A no vote or a failure to act by the House and Senate means pay cuts and chaos for state employee health insurance benefits. There will be a time to deal with the state budget deficit in the future, and decisions may be made that impact future state employee contracts. State employees and the Administration have fairly negotiated these contracts, and they should be approved.”

“We owe it to those who keep our state running — including during a pandemic — to follow through on our promises to them and their families,” said House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “During this economic crisis, we should protect these essential services and the basic economic security of the people we’re asking to step in to serve all of us.” Continue reading “Minnesota House expected to ratify state employee contracts”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on the Minnesota COVID-19 Fund

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Friday, Governor Walz called on the Minnesota Legislature to replenish and extend the Minnesota COVID-19 fund. The $200 million fund has $65 million remaining and is set to expire on May 11.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Ryan Winkler released the following statements:

“We support extending the Minnesota COVID-19 Fund, and the House Ways and Means Committee passed a bill to do so today,” said Speaker Hortman. “We also support replenishing the fund as quickly as possible. The Walz Administration needs the flexibility to move quickly — more quickly than the legislative process sometimes allows — to purchase critical items for our COVID response. We are continuing conversations with Republicans in the House and Senate to pass legislation as soon as possible.”

 “Minnesota’s COVID-19 Fund has been well-used by the Walz Administration to buy personal protective equipment, ventilators, alternative care facilities, and, most recently, a facility for temporary storage of human remains  — all with proper legislative oversight,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “It’s critical for the Legislature to extend this fund and invest additional dollars.”  

Minnesota House expected to pass COVID-19 economic security legislation

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Yesterday afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives was expected to pass a package of COVID-19 economic security legislation. The bill, HF 1507, contains provisions for housing assistance, a temporary wage increase for personal care assistants, funding to expand broadband access, and small business loans.

“Minnesotans’ economic security has been hit hard during this public health crisis, and we have the resources to help them through the roughest patches of the pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Today, the Minnesota House is taking an important step to help Minnesotans keep a roof over their heads, preserve their small businesses, facilitate distance learning and telemedicine, and ensure we have the workforce we need to provide care for the vulnerable.”

“Minnesota has the resources we need to address this crisis; we just need the will to act,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Minnesotans need investments in the things that will help them make it through this crisis and thrive after it, including quality health care, economic security, a good education, and safe and healthy communities. Minnesota can and should invest in Minnesotans to ensure their economic security now and into the future.” Continue reading “Minnesota House expected to pass COVID-19 economic security legislation”