Dear Neighbors,
I was stunned by the senseless killing of Daunte Wright this week. Brooklyn Center is a suburban city with a progressive Black mayor and, like Bloomington, a founding member of the Joint Community Police Partnership (JCPP). The mission of the JCCP is to enhance communication and understanding between law enforcement and the multicultural residents of the member cities to improve the safety and livability of our communities. The scenario that unfolded leading to Wright’s death is exactly the kind of tragedy that the JCCP program is designed to prevent.
We would all like to think that this couldn’t happen in our own communities, but it is happening in communities just like ours. I’m having trouble reconciling the fact that, on the one hand, I’ve never in 25 years of public service fielded a constituent complaint about a specific case of racial profiling by a member of the Bloomington Police Department; while on the other hand, I don’t have a single Black male friend or colleague who does not tell of having been subjected to a “pretextual stop” for “driving while Black”. Wright was allegedly stopped for having expired registration tabs. Because of pandemic-related appointment backlogs at Driver & Vehicle Services, there are now over 600,000 Minnesotans driving with expired tabs and very few of them are being pulled over.
Daunte Wright’s killing is a terrible tragedy that has left our Black communities reeling. This is on top of the trauma of the ongoing Derek Chauvin trial which has been so difficult for many of us. Daunte’s Wright family lost a beloved son, sibling, and father which is terribly heartbreaking on top of the fact that he was only 20. He should still be alive, Daunte Wright’s life mattered. I encourage you to watch my colleague Rep. Vang’s speech on the killing of Daunte Wright (she represents Brooklyn Center).
It is clear that we need major reforms to our public safety system to ensure that it protects people of color and Indigenous people and values their lives as much as it currently values white lives. The House DFL has put forward many strong reforms that will improve accountability and make us all safer. Senate GOP members must step up and pass these reforms that the community and victims of police violence are demanding. You can watch the United Black Legislative Caucus & People of Color and Indigenous Caucus’ press conference on police reform here.
Last year, I had signed up to participate in the Bloomington Police Department’s annual “Citizens Police Academy”, which was cancelled because of the pandemic, but I’m planning to attend this fall, in part to obtain a police perspective on why these tragedies occur and how they could be prevented.
Budget Bills and More
Last week House DFL revealed our omnibus budget bills which will guide many of our conversations for the rest of session, as we work to create a budget that will serve the Minnesotans who need it the most. These budgets are moral documents that reflect our commitment to Minnesota children, families, and main street businesses. You can read more about some of these bills here, and watch our press conference on the issue here.
This week we voted on and passed a few of these budget bills, including the housing. We also hope to pass the Transportation budget bill soon. These budgets include significant investments in homelessness prevention, affordable housing, and funds to improve and expand transit throughout the metro.
On Monday a bill I was lead author on passed off the House Floor. HF 1913addresses several prominent data breaches of insurers and other financial institutions. This is model legislation that will help these institutions protect our valuable data. I’m proud that we passed this important legislation that will make each of us more secure in our day to day lives.
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Funding
Approximately $100 million is available in grants, approved by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, to aid Minnesota habitat restoration, preservation, and enhancement in our community.
The process is competitive and open to all who wish to apply. “These grants are focused on restoring, protecting and enhancing habitat for fish, game and wildlife,” said Mark Johnson, LSOHC Executive Director. “This beneficially impacts our natural resources of course, but it also enriches the lives of Minnesotans through a healthier, more accessible environment.”
Proposal requirements and terms of funding are outlined in the Call for Funding Request. To view details or learn more, visit: www.lsohc.leg.mn. For answers to specific questions, contact LSOHC Staff: www.lsohc.leg.mn/staff.
Requests are due to the LSOHC by Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 4 p.m. The funds for approved programs signed into law during the 2022 legislative session will be available Thursday, July 1, 2022.
Ramadan
Wishing all in our Community members that celebrate a blessed and prosperous Ramadan. Ramadan Mubarak.
Keep in Touch
This is a brief break for the legislature and I’ll be spending much of it catching up on overdue correspondence. It will be a good week to reach out to me with questions, input, or ideas. Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance. Please follow me on my Facebook page for further updates and invite your friends and family to do so as well.
Thanks for the honor of representing you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Steve Elkins
Representative, District 49B
Minnesota House of Representatives
515 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-7803