Increasing Our Trust in Policing
This week, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. The tension around this and the uncertainty of what the verdict would bring shows just how much work we have left to do. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that the arc of the moral universe is a long one, and that it does bend towards justice. We are on that arc, but we still have more work to do.
In the past year, hundreds of you have engaged in the political process, asking the legislature to make fundamental changes to the way our state does policing. Some of your ideas have been:
- Directing mental health crisis response away from the police-only and towards mental health professionals
- Requiring independent investigations and prosecutions of critical incidents
- Stronger civilian oversight of policing
There have been many others as well, and I want you to know that you can count on my support. This is about restoring trust in our policing, and I know we will be all the better for it.
A Unique Experience with Hennepin County EMS
Coincidentally, I had a planned ride along with Hennepin County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that occurred just after the verdict was announced. It was the experience of a lifetime. Not only did I get to learn about the work they do, but I also got to witness countless reactions to the verdict’s announcement. On peoples’ faces I saw sadness, hope, relief, and a wide range of other emotions. I was also accompanied by a member of the national guard, and I deeply appreciate his service.
This week I also met with:
- The National Guard and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s office
- Children’s mental health advocates
- Supporters of requiring ethnic studies to graduate high school
I also heard from a lot of you by phone and email this week. Police reform was by far the biggest subject. Some other subjects include:
- Equality for transgender students
- Environmental protection
- Taxation of unemployment insurance benefits and PPP loans
Standing Up for Transgender Youth and Fully Funded Public Education
One of the hardest parts for me during floor debate this week was during the education omnibus bill. The legislation contains language that bans students assigned as male at birth from competing in women’s sports, and vice versa. This was done as more and more of our youth are feeling comfortable coming out as transgender. As adults, we have a choice. We can either show them compassion or show them the same bullying that they have had to live with ever since coming out. My DFL colleagues and I offered an amendment to show them compassion and remove this harmful language, but unfortunately it was voted down. You can view my speech during this debate by clicking HERE.
Also related to the education bill, many school districts across the state announced layoffs this week, and my heart sank. Fully funding public education is not only the legislature’s constitutional duty, but it is also a moral imperative. The Senate Education bill lacked any increase in the state funding formula to even keep pace with inflation.
For these two reasons, I voted against the bill.
As I have in the past, I also offered an amendment to require all high schoolers to take a course in American Government during their junior or senior year. You can view my floor speech on this by clicking HERE.
It was a long week on the Senate floor, filled with vibrant discussions and interesting conversation. Though I disagreed with much of what the GOP majority put forth in their budget bills, I still appreciated every moment of spirited debate.
Recapping an Emotional Week
This has been an incredibly emotional week for all of us. Between the Chauvin verdict, continuing tensions between law enforcement and demonstrators in the wake Daunte Wright’s shooting, the passing of Walter Mondale, and some of the emotionally charged debates on the senate floor, it is understandable to be feeling exhausted. Take care of yourself, and know that our work continues. You can view my weekly video on this subject by clicking HERE.