While the week was largely spent passing more of our budget proposals in the Minnesota House, we took a break on Tuesday – as I’m sure many of you did – to anxiously await the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.
While a guilty verdict for Derek Chauvin is just, it does not in itself deliver justice.
It is this truth that I held close, watching the reading of the verdict alongside my colleagues at the State Capitol. We have an obligation to ensure George Floyd’s legacy is not simply the memory of a static, tragic event, but a living, enduring challenge to bend the moral arc of history toward justice. This work began anew the next day when we passed our Public Safety bill with strong reforms to reimagine policing and public safety.
Happy Earth Day, and Ramadan Mubarak to those who celebrate! This week has been extremely eventful, and here at the legislature, we are committed to making sure speedy and effective policy is underway.
While Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict was a hopeful glimpse of accountability, we need to continue to push for public safety efforts that looks out for ALL Minnesotans. Our neighbors, our colleagues and our friends and families deserve safety, justice and freedom from fear.
Wednesday night, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced a budget bill to increase accountability measures within law enforcement, expand survivor protections and increase community oversight over the safety of our state. This omnibus bill is a compilation of a number of bills, shown below, brought forth by legislators covering a broad range of public safety needs.
Last summer, in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, House DFLers fought for comprehensive police reform and accountability measures, and successfully enacted many new laws including: use of force reform, banning choke holds and warrior training, arbitration reform as well as mental health training. But now, in the shadow of the Chauvin trial and with the trauma of George Floyd’s death still fresh, Minnesota now mourns the death of another Black man killed by law enforcement.
Daunte Wright’s life matters. Black lives matter.
We know that a better future is possible for all of us if we accept our responsibility to create it together. We must take action at every level of government to reimagine policing in a way that builds trust and makes everyone in our communities more safe. The public safety measures passed last year were always supposed to be the first of many steps on our path to a Minnesota where everyone feels truly safe and are treated with dignity and respect.
In the House, we’re pushing for change that will improve public safety and strengthen the relationship between community and law enforcement, including:
Strengthening the police officer misconduct database to build a more effective early warning intervention system to keep bad officers off the streets
Allowing local units of government to establish civilian oversight councils and funding community organizations working to prevent crime in their communities while addressing the need for community healing after a traumatic event
Prohibiting white supremacists from becoming peace officers
New limits on the use of no-knock warrants
Prohibiting altering or destroying body cam footage, requiring footage to be shared with family no more than 48 hours after a deadly force incident, and prohibiting withholding of footage
Requiring model policing on response to public assemblies
Requiring the POST Board to prioritize the goal of promoting public safety, including the promotion of human rights — maintaining the basic rights, freedoms, and privileges that belong to every person including the right to dignity, fairness, equality, respect, and freedom from discrimination.
With what our state and nation has gone through in the past year, you would hope that these wouldn’t be partisan or controversial, but this will face an uphill fight in the legislature.
It’s a fight worth having.
Throughout all of this, my legislative colleagues that serve in both the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus and the United Black Legislative Caucus (UBLC) have been leading the way as a national and global spotlight continues to be focused on Minnesota. It’s through their work and leadership that I believe we will build a more just and inclusive Minnesota.
Safe and Affordable Housing
Yesterday on the House floor, we passed some of our first budget proposals for the legislative session, including the Housing bill I helped craft in committee this year. Our housing proposal includes $30 million in new investments and provisions like:
Funding for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) for specific programs.
Establishes the lead safe homes grant program and a task force on shelter resident rights and shelter provider practices and contains amendments to other various programs administered by MHFA.
Funding for various programs related to affordable housing.
Provisions related to the Minnesota Bond Allocation Act, residential rental housing/ landlord and tenant law and manufactured housing.
Minnesota faced a housing crisis – and that was before a global pandemic illustrated just how vital a safe home is to our health, happiness and economic security. There is no place like home, yet in Minnesota an affordable place to live is out of reach for hundreds of thousands of families. We are working to create a Minnesota where everyone can afford the roof over their head and this bill takes important steps to build that future.
Both today and next week, we’ll continue to pass our budget proposals off the House floor. In addition to Housing, we passed our Legacy Amendment yesterday, which invests in all the things that make our state great – the great outdoors, clean water, arts and cultural heritage, and parks and trails. Today, we’re debating our State Government, Elections, Veterans, and Transportation bills, and next week we’ll have even more.
The Session Daily and the rest of Minnesota House Public Information are a great resource of information as we spend the next week passing these important bills. You’re also able to watch our debate on the House floor here. If you have any questions about the legislation we’re working on, please feel free to reach out. You can contact me at rep.michael.howard@house.mn or (651) 296-7158. I look forward to hearing from you.
As I write you today, I want to begin by acknowledging that this has been a difficult week for all Minnesotans. The death of Daunte Wright has once again brought Minnesota into the spotlight due to police violence. It has once again shown the reality of Dr. King’s statement that “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” I will continue to work with my colleagues in the legislature to advance justice and racial equity, and ensure that we are doing all we can to make our state welcoming and safe for all Minnesotans.
This week, the Senate began passing omnibus budget bills off the floor. The next step in the process will be conference committees, where the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Walz administration will work out differences, and send bills to the Governor for his signature. The state budget must be adopted by July 1st of this year, but I am hopeful that agreements will be reached before the end of the legislative session.
The recent weather we’ve been having is a hopeful start to finally return to a normal summer full of community events, travel, and outdoor activities. Vaccinations are approaching the finish line and Minnesota has managed to champion distribution efforts nationally! With all Minnesotans currently available to receive their COVID-19 vaccine, it is now important to stay on top of available appointments and grab your spot in line for a shot or two.
Governor Tim Walz and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new federal Community Vaccination Clinic in Minnesota: The site will be located at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and receive 168,000 doses over eight weeks. It will prepare to administer a combination of Pfizer and J&J doses, which will result in over 100,000 total people being vaccinated during the eight week period. Vaccinations will begin at the Fairgrounds on April 14 and serve Minnesotans living in the highest Social Vulnerability Index zip codes near the Fairgrounds.
Starting tomorrow, all Minnesotans age 16 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This is thanks to an increased supply of vaccine we’ll be receiving in early April from the federal government. While this is news many of us have been waiting for, opening up vaccine eligibility doesn’t necessarily mean that vaccine appointments will be available right away or close by. As has been the case with much of this pandemic, patience and diligence will be needed as we continue to prioritize at-risk Minnesotans.
If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, I highly encourage you to check out Minnesota’s COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, a tool to help people find out when, where, and how to get a vaccine. It can let you know when you’re eligible to be vaccinated, connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment, and alert you if there are vaccine opportunities nearby. To sign up, visit mn.gov/vaccineconnector or call 833-431-2053. Minnesotans can also contact their healthcare provider, local pharmacy or use theVaccine Locator Map to search for vaccine providers in their area.
The 2021 legislative session has reached its half-way point. Policy committee deadlines have passed, and the legislature will be on Easter-Passover break next week. When we return from break, the focus will be on committees passing omnibus budget bills. All budget bills must be referred to the Finance Committee by April 9th. After that, the Senate and House will pass their respective bills and conference committee work will begin. As we approach the final eight weeks of the legislative session, I will continue to work with my colleagues on the issues that matter, including a budget that is balanced fairly and makes investments that prioritize the real needs that Minnesotans have as we continue to recover from the pandemic. I hope you’ll keep in touch as these important bills move forward.
Budget Targets
Senate Republicans released their budget targets for the 2021-22 biennium. The targets would leave thousands of Minnesotans without the proper support they need to get back on their feet after this past year. These targets show the Senate Republicans’ plan for the total amount the state will spend on any specific budget area over the next two years. Their proposed cuts to Minnesota’s budget, will leave the state in an unstable position for years to come as the one-time federal funding offered this year goes away and leaves our programs underfunded for the future.
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.
In the past months, Minnesota has proven to be a national leader in getting shots into arms, and will now be able to step into the final stage of distribution. This week, Minnesota was ranked number one in the country for the percentage of vaccine doses administered to Minneostans. For more information, please check out this article by the Star Tribune.
Additionally, we are entering the final stretch of session, and as we begin to make important decisions, I’d like to hear from you. If you have not already one so, please fill out my legislative survey to let me know how you feel about these important issues. Thanks in advance for your input!
Helping Hospitality and Service Sector Workers Return to their Jobs
Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives advanced my legislation to help laid-off hospitality and service sector workers return to their jobs.
This bill applies to Minnesotans employed by hotels, airports, and event centers; the facilities attached to them, including restaurants, bars, and retail; as well as related services, including maintenance, security, ticketing, ground-handling, and food and beverage services. It also applies to an enterprise providing maintenance and security services to office, retail, or commercial buildings, like a staffing agency.
To be eligible for rehire and retention benefits, Minnesotans need to have worked for their employer for at least six months in the year prior to January 31, 2020, and become unemployed after January 31, 2020, due to the pandemic. Employers would be required to provide eligible workers with information about available job positions for which they qualify, and to rehire employees based on a preference system of qualifications and seniority.
Displaced hospitality workers deserve our full support now more than ever. Today’s vote further demonstrates our promise to provide a safety net for workers, majority of which are Black and Latinx, who are suffering the disproportionate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have full confidence and trust that Minnesota will emerge stronger than before, and build back our community with a flourishing economy.
Earned Sick and Safe Time for Minnesota Workers
One of the bills we advanced this week ensures that Minnesotans aren’t forced to choose between a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a loved one. Under this legislation, workers would earn at least one hour of paid Earned Sick and Safe Time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Workers can use this time to stay home when they’re sick, to take care of a family member, or for an absence related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.
Preventing Wage Discrimination
March 24th was Equal Pay Day, an annual reminder that we are still fighting a gender and race pay gap across the nation, and here in Minnesota. Yesterday, the Minneosta House advanced the Preventing Discrimination Act, a bill that halts this practice and brings us one step closer to closing the pay gap.
House File 403 addresses a systemic issue of pay disparities. COVID-19 has demonstrated that we all benefit when workers have the ability to stay home without missing their paycheck. This bill would make our workplaces, schools, and communities healthier, and I am proud to support it in the House
Summer Learning Package Passes
Students, parents, and families are suffering the consequences of this pandemic more than many others, both academically and emotionally. On Tuesday, the Minnesota House passed a robust summer learning package to help address learning loss through hands-on tutoring and programming, ensure our students have an opportunity to get caught up, and provide critical mental health support to those who need it. I voted in support of the bill and am looking forward to seeing it help our kids succeed.
Last week saw more optimistic news for our state. More Minnesotans continue to get the vaccine ahead of schedule, guidelines are being safely loosened on businesses, and if we play this smart, a healthy summer with our loved ones is within our reach.
Here’s the latest from the State Capitol:
New Guidelines for Businesses and Gatherings
With over 70% of Minnesota age 65 and over having received the COVID-19 vaccine, opening up vaccine eligibility to millions more, Governor Walz announced the latest rollback of guidelines, increasing capacity for businesses and gatherings – going into effect today.
The pace of work in the legislature is picking up, and I am continuing to work hard within our virtual committee structure on behalf of our communities and the entire State of Minnesota. Committees are hearing bills, and we have also taken up a number bills in the full Senate. I want to let you know about a few things that have happened, but please feel free to reach out if you’d like more information about something not mentioned here.
Bills Heard in Committee
With deadlines rapidly approaching, I’ve been spending more time in committee evaluating bills that are heard, and I’ve also had the opportunity to present three bills that I’m the author of.
S.F. 735 was heard in the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee, and would extend medical assistance postpartum coverage to one year (instead of the current 60 days), ensuring greater support and stability for new mothers and babies. Historically, the maternal mortality rate for African American women has been at least twice as high as white mothers; the American Indian mortality rate is approximately four times higher than white mothers. Data also suggests that almost half of maternal deaths occur in greater Minnesota. Federal law requires our state’s Medical Assistance program to cover women who are enrolled during pregnancy for 60 days postpartum. Data suggests that 40% of women enrolled in MA during pregnancy lose this coverage after that time or face gaps in coverage, increasing the risk of severe health complications.
