Dear Neighbors,
I hope you and your family are staying safe during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The Legislature is back in Special Session and working on the many challenges currently facing Minnesotans. We continue to see very concerning spikes in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths around the country. The health and safety of Minnesotans is our top priority. This pandemic won’t go away just because we’d like it to. The emergency is still here.
Working toward police accountability and declaring racism is a public health crisis
We need systemic change in policing that ensures police are accountable to the communities they serve. Under my leadership, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed significant police accountability legislation during the June special session. Our efforts in the Minnesota House are being led by Rep. Carlos Mariani, Rep. Rena Moran, and the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus.
Unlike the House, the Minnesota Senate did not pass legislation that would create systemic change or lead to accountability in policing. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Senate unilaterally decided to adjourn the June special session, and they left St. Paul on June 20th.
The House supports a comprehensive bill that will lead to systemic change and accountability in policing. We are continuing to work to negotiate a meaningful bill that can pass both the Minnesota House and the Minnesota Senate, and that the Governor will sign into law.
During the Special Session, the Minnesota House of Representatives will take up a resolution declaring that racism is a public health crisis. I encourage you to read the resolution here. We must all play an active role in dismantling racism and pursuing antiracist policies.
Rebuilding our damaged communities
It’s also important that we act swiftly to help rebuild communities that suffered property damage during the civil unrest. In Minnesota, we care for our neighbors and help them in their time of need. Whether it’s a flood in Duluth or Rushford, or a tornado in Wadena, we come together to help. Our Promise Act is a comprehensive plan to help those impacted that puts equity at the center of our recovery efforts. We need to help our communities recover.
Jobs and local projects for economic growth
Finally, at a time when Minnesota’s economy is suffering extreme stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that the state legislature do everything it can to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Our infrastructure legislation will create jobs and provide projects our communities need.
The pandemic and the murder of George Floyd have laid bare the deeply rooted inequalities between our communities and neighbors, and the need for big changes. Now is a time for us to come together to ensure the health & economic well-being of Minnesotans and to reform public safety. I remain committed to building a Minnesota that works better for all of us, no exceptions.
Housing assistance available
This week, the Walz Administration announced a $100 million housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. The $100 million investment will be funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was authorized by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Minnesotans can’t stay safe if they can’t afford their rent or mortgage. The Minnesota House of Representatives passed $100 million in housing assistance during the 2020 regular session, and we continue to strongly support assistance during this difficult time. It was the right move for Governor Walz to use federal CARES dollars to provide help that renters and homeowners desperately need.
Local grant administrators will be selected in the coming weeks, and Minnesota Housing anticipates Minnesotans can begin applying for assistance with local grant administrators in the first part of August. Additional information about the program can be found on the Minnesota Housing website at www.mnhousing.gov.
Last Update
rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn.
You can also keep up with what’s happening at the Capitol by liking my legislative Facebook page and following the Minnesota House DFL on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Hortman