Dear Neighbors
Last week was a historical week for our nation with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman, and woman of color, to take high office in the history of the United States. While we celebrate, it is important that we remind ourselves of the work yet to be done about racial justice, COVID-19 response, and economic recovery.
This week, I want to inform you about some of the steps being taken to better Minnesota by protecting our workers, strengthening democracy, addressing criminal justice and supporting our students. Mark your calendars to join me in the conversation!
Democracy in Crisis: Sunday, January 31, 2021
Join me and Vice Chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee, award-winning political scientist and author Dr. Lee Drutman, and U.S. Representative Angie Craig, a leading advocate of government reform and cosponsor of H.R. 1, for a conversation about how we can reform and strengthen our democracy, hosted by FairVote Minnesota.
You can register to join on Zoom here.
District 45 Town Hall: Saturday, February 6, 2021
On Saturday morning, February 6th at 11 A.M., Senator Ann Rest, Rep. Mike Freiberg, and I will join together for the first town hall of the 2021 Legislative Session.
You can check the Facebook Event for further details. Or RSVP here to join us on the Zoom and ask questions. The event will be live streamed on Facebook for those who will not participate virtually.
Criminal Justice Panel: Tuesday, February 9, 2021
During Black History Month, Attorney General Ellison is hosting listening sessions focused on issues most pressing to Black Minnesotans. Join AG Ellison, Rep. Hollins, and I to discuss the issue of criminal justice.
The event will be broadcast on AG Ellison’s Facebook. Comment with your questions during the listening session.
Protecting Our Essential And Healthcare Workers
Last week, we announced the DFL House priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session, which included an initiative to protect our workers. With a vision to better work conditions for Minnesota and provide care to those who care for our community, I am proud to partner with our state’s essential workers to chief author the Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act (House File 41), which aims to provide emergency paid leave for the frontline and essential workers who do not have access to the COVID-related leave provisions passed by the federal government earlier in the pandemic. This bill would provide 100 hours of emergency paid leave to workers considered to be full-time by their employer.
Emergency leave for essential workers is necessary to ensure all community members are able to protect their own health and families , pay their bills, and slow down the spread of COVID-19, without the risk of losing their jobs.
We need to take care of our essential workers like they take care of us.
2021 legislative session priorities for Minnesota workers.
Strong Democracy Powered By Minnesotans
There are over 50 thousand Minnesotans who are living throughout our state that are on probation or parole. These people are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and our neighbors, who are living in the community, working to provide for their families, paying their taxes and contributing to our state. They are people that have valuable insights and have proximity to the most pressing issues in communities throughout Minnesota. Yet, because of a conviction in their past, these same people are still denied their fundamental right to vote.
Now is a critical time to bring forth legislation that further secures our democracy and defends our right to free and fair elections. Restored voting rights to our community members will give us a chance to center voices that have been silenced in the past.
Additionally, it is important to note that voting accessibility — early in-person, by mail, or on election day — is a vital component of the free practice of democracy with consideration to language, disability, and transportation barriers.
Accessibility is freedom.
Strengthening Our Democracy Through Legislation
Last week, my colleagues and I introduced House File 9, chief authored by fellow first-term legislator, Representative Greenman, aiming to build a strong, inclusive democracy that will:
- Prohibit intimidating and harassing voters or elections officials and using deceptive practices to disenfranchise voters.
- Ensure state and local elections officials can access the critical federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds they need for election security and infrastructure.
- Establish automatic voter registration, allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote, and restores the right to vote for Minnesotans who are on probation or parole.
- Takes steps to increase transparency and unveil who is spending money to influence our elections,modernizes the Political Contribution Refund (PCR) program, replacing it with Democracy Dollars coupons that are available to all registered Minnesota voters.
- Improve Minnesota’s redistricting process. It sets fair criteria for lawmakers to follow when drawing and evaluating maps and creates a public process to solicit Minnesotans’ input, make redistricting data available to the public, and provide advance notice of maps and hearings.
Governor Walz: Due North Education Plan
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the Due North Education Plan, a sweeping agenda for the future of education in Minnesota. Developed from a robust engagement effort with educators, school leaders, students, and families across the state, the Due North Education Plan is centered on ensuring every child in Minnesota receives a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code. You can watch the announcement on the Governor’s YouTube page.
Last week I had the opportunity to sit down with the MN House Public Information Services for an interview. Check out the following video to learn more about me and what drives me to serve my community.
Please reach out to me at rep.cedrick.frazier@house.mn for any questions or concerns about legislative issues in the Minnesota House, I look forward to hearing from you!
In Service,
Cedrick Frazier
State Representative, District 45A
Minnesota House of Representatives