https://iqconnect.lmhostediq.com/iqextranet/view_newsletter.aspx?id=100784&c=MNS63&__f=fb&fbclid=IwAR0sCg1cqVwiwfAbJd4Ygks743DJhTO0EKLPbEk69fXksEFlNwtacmy4vno
Dear Neighbors,
The 2020 Special Session of the Minnesota Legislature ended early Saturday
morning, by an arbitrary deadline imposed by the Senate Republican majority.
The senate majority ended the session with no agreements on major pieces of
legislation. The House majority passed legislation to address police and
justice reform, a federal COVID-19 aid package and bonding. None of these
proposals were heard in the Senate.
In the past few weeks have seen tremendous upheaval in our community, our
state, and our nation. The murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day sparked
protests in our neighborhoods and across the entire country and world, calling
for justice for George Floyd, for justice for the other Black lives killed at
the hands of law enforcement, and for reforms to our police systems.
Law enforcement racist practices have had long-lasting, irreparable
consequences in our communities, and they must end now. I, along with the House
and Senate People of Color and Indigenous POCI Caucus, have been working on
reforms to law enforcement and the criminal justice system for years. The
policy reforms adopted in the House during the Special Session, were reforms
proposed by the POCI Caucus, the Senate majority didn’t bring those reforms for
a vote. Instead, they proposed their own weak bills that amount to no real
reform.
I’ll continue to make law enforcement and criminal justice reform a top
priority.
Like you, I am also devastated by the destruction to our district. Securing the
resources necessary for the reconstruction of our community and businesses is
also a top priority for me.
Our small business owners and organizations on the ground have provided
remarkable support and information for the reconstruction of Lake Street. We
are very clear about our vision for the future: We don't want gentrification
that will displace the people who are here now. We want our area to become more
diverse and inclusive every day. We want to create more opportunities for
Black-owned and People of Color and Indigenous-owned and locally owned
businesses. We also need help to rebuild our library, the post office, and
other social spaces that will make our community whole again.
I have led and will continue to lead tours of our district to see this damage
firsthand with Senator Smith, Congresswoman Omar, Governor Walz, and many
members of the House and Senate, and I am optimistic that we will be able to
secure funding to help rebuild. (Maybe mention something about the Powderhorn
Park encampment situation?)
You have my unwavering commitment to continue working day and night to rebuild
our diverse and vibrant community in South Minneapolis. Your voices will be
heard and I am here to amplify your message. Thank you for working with our
office to support real reforms to the criminal justice system, and the
reconstruction of our beautiful Minneapolis through these difficult times.
These changes are long overdue.
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns,
requests for assistance, or suggestions for how we can be serving you & the
public better.
Sincerely,
Patricia