Category: SD49

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 24, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota Legislature went into a special session on June 12, 2020 with the hopes of passing some much needed legislation. The House DFL, and the POCI caucus in particular worked incredibly hard to craft and pass legislation from repairing and renewing our aging infrastructure, to reforming our public safety system. While our position as legislators is designed to be “part-time,” I see it as our duty to stick around if urgent action is needed. Even though the Senate Republicans decided to pack up and go home, I am committed to coming back for future special sessions to pass these critical bills. Here is what we were working on before this special session ended.

Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020

The House DFL recognizes that we need systemic reform if we are to ever have a public safety system that makes all Minnesotans safer and the House was able to pass a comprehensive package of policing reforms in this special session. However, our Republican colleagues aren’t yet on board with all of these reforms and they did not pass in the Senate. Negotiations with the Senate leadership will continue and we are hopeful of coming to an agreement in time for the next special session, which is inevitable sometime in the next few weeks.

Here is the full list of reforms the House passed: Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 24, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Tim Walz today announced the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is now accepting applications for the $62.5 million Small Business Relief Grants Program for businesses impacted by COVID-19, which he signed into law last week.

Eligible businesses with 50 or fewer employees may apply for grants of up to $10,000. The money will be evenly distributed between businesses in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro, with at least $10 million to go to minority-owned businesses, $2.5 million to veteran-owned businesses, and $2.5 million to women-owned businesses.

An additional $2.5 million is allocated by law for grants of up to $250,000 each to operators of cultural malls to maintain existing tenants. This will be a separate application process, and DEED will provide more information this week at mn.gov/deed/relief. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 23, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The special session concluded early Saturday morning after the House negotiated all night with the Senate on the Policing Accountability, CARES Act federal funding, and a jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill.

Unfortunately, an agreement could not be reached which means the legislature will reconvene in mid-July. Hopefully at that point a meaningful bipartisan compromise can be reached.

If I’m honest, I am disappointed. We must do better should we reconvene in July to deliver for Minnesotans.

Here’s an overview of the House proposals we passed without Senate support: Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 22, 2020”

Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 15, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

The State Legislature convened in special session Friday at noon. The session was necessitated by the governor’s decision to extend the state of emergency related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; however, while we’re here we will also be taking up various other COVID-19 related bills providing additional financial support for small businesses and local governments, as well as unfinished business from the regular session, including the Local Jobs & Projects Bill (bonding bill.)

Following a spirited debate, the House voted to uphold the governor’s authority to maintain his COVID-19 emergency orders. It’s important to note that 54 of the nation’s 55 states and territories are operating under gubernatorial emergency pandemic orders right now, Wisconsin being the only exception.

Much of the debate was centered around data, how we interpret it, and what it predicts for the future. The Minnesota Department of Health maintains a Coronavirus “Situation Update” page on its website which is updated daily. You can subscribe to receive daily updates from MDH at this subscription link. What this data shows is that Minnesota’s case count and death rates have leveled off and are starting to decline. Continue reading “Rep. Steve Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 15, 2020”

Rep. Stev Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 12, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This morning the Minnesota Board of Pardons issued its first-ever posthumous pardon in the case of Max Mason, a young black man who was scapegoated for the rumored rape of a white woman in Duluth in 1920. I’m proud to say that Bloomington attorney Jerry Blackwell, who secured this pardon, is one of our friends and neighbors here in House District 49B. Monday marks the 100th anniversary of the lynching of three other young black men who were accused in this case, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie. They were dragged from the Duluth jail and hung by a white mob. I’d encourage folks to read the accounts of this case that were published in the Minneapolis StarTribune yesterday and today. This is a strong reminder to all of us that lynching was never just a southern thing – we have a long history of depriving black citizens of life and liberty without due process of law here in Minnesota, as well, and the murder of George Floyd is just the latest, and hopefully the last, example. Continue reading “Rep. Stev Elkins (HD49B) Update: June 12, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 9, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As many of you know, I’m a passionate tobacco prevention advocate. Before elected to the Minnesota House, I was involved in Edina’s effort to become the first city in Minnesota to raise the tobacco sales age to 21. Once elected to the House, I became the chief author of the statewide Tobacco 21 bill, which passed the legislature this session.

I’m happy to report that once again, Edina is a leader in protecting youth from the harms of tobacco as the city council had its first reading on Tuesday, June 2nd, to prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Edina. The Edina Community Health Commission submitted a proposal recommending the council move forward with this initiative.

Restricting the sale of flavored tobacco products, along with Tobacco 21, is a 1-2 punch to the tobacco industry. While T21 limits youth access to these products, banning flavors reduces the appeal to youth. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 9, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 5, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Governor Tim Walz today announced Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan, including a gradual turn of the dial to allow cautious and safe re-opening of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Under Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan:

  • Restaurants can begin offering indoor dining while maintaining social distancing, requiring reservations, and seating no more than 50 percent occupancy.
  • Indoor social gatherings can take place with 10 people or less; outdoor social gatherings can take place with 25 people or less.
  • Gyms, personal fitness and yoga studios, and martial arts may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Indoor entertainment venues, such as theaters and concert halls, can open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Recreational indoor entertainment venues, such as bowling alleys, arcades, and museums may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Personal services, such as salons, tattoo parlors, and barbershops, may increase occupancy rates to 50 percent while requiring reservations.
  • Outdoor entertainment venues, such as sporting events, concerts, and theaters may open at 25 percent capacity.
  • Places of worship can increase occupancy rates to 50 percent.

Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: June 5, 2020”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 30, 2020 Curfew

Dear Neighbors,

We know concerned community members want to help during these difficult times. The Department of Public Safety is asking all local communities to NOT be in the streets tonight, for any reason.

  • The situation has shifted. The coordinated response tonight will be different.
  • The coordinated National Guard, State Patrol, and Law enforcement presence will triple in size – and it continues to grow.
  • This response is to address a sophisticated network of urban warfare. We expect the individuals involved to use deadly force – both with fires and other weapons.
  • A primary tactic they have used is to locate civilians and use them as both shields from law enforcement and distractions to effective response.
  • YOU MUST STAY IN PLACE.

Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 30, 2020 Curfew”

Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 30, 2020 Weekend Curfews

A message from your Senator

Dear Friends,

The killing of George Floyd at the hands of police has changed our world forever. Now is the time to come together to keep our communities safe, restore order, and continue the pursuit of justice for George Floyd.

Tonight, for our own personal safety and the safety of our first responders we must stay home and abide by the curfew throughout our district, including those imposed in Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina and Minnetonka.

We have received credible information of agitators from out of state that are instigating mayhem in our cities. This is a developing and dangerous situation. We must take necessary precautions to allow the Minnesota National Guard, and local police and fire departments to control the situation and reinstate the peace. Continue reading “Sen. Melisa Franzen Update: May 30, 2020 Weekend Curfews”

Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 28, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As news continues to sweep across the nation about the tragic killing of George Floyd, my heart breaks for his family, friends, the city of Minneapolis, and the black community in every corner of our state. I echo the sentiments from our House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus. George Floyd should be alive today.

There is no question, the officers involved in George Floyd’s death need to be held accountable. Justice begins when we hold each other accountable and work together to change the persistent inequalities and inequities in our state and society.

It’s also important that when demonstrating our values and fighting for change, we do so in a way that is not harmful to others. Continue reading “Rep. Heather Edelson (HD49A) Update: May 28, 2020”