I hope this finds you staying warm. With the subzero forecast sticking around
for the next week or so, I want to share information about Minnesota’s Energy
Assistance Program. No one deserves to be in the cold because they can’t afford
their heating bills, and help is available with utility bills, to repair or
replace homeowners’ malfunctioning furnaces, and to purchase fuel for delivery
in emergencies. Homeowners and renters with young children, people with
disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those experiencing unemployment or
financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic are especially encouraged
to apply.
In 2020, the EAP helped nearly 118,000 Minnesota households. New applicants
have until May 31, 2021 to apply, however funding is limited and administered
on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available from the
Minnesota Department of Commerce (https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp)
Additionally, the state’s Cold Weather Rule is in effect until April 15 which
prevents utility shut offs if you sign up for a payment plan with your energy
provider. More information on these protections is available from the Public
Utilities Commission (https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/help/shut-off-protection/)
Here are flyers in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong:
MN Energy Assistance Flyer - English:
https://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/ffy21-eap-flyer-english.pdf
MN Energy Assistance Flyer - Spanish:
https://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/ffy21-eap-flyer-spanish.pdf
MN Energy Assistance Flyer - Somali:
https://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/ffy21-eap-flyer-somali.pdf
MN Energy Assistance Flyer - Hmong:
https://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/ffy21-eap-flyer-hmong.pdf
Minnehaha Post Office Update
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has made the decision to rebuild the
Minnehaha Post Office in South Minneapolis at the same location, 3033 27th Ave
S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. While there is not a current construction timeline,
all services will continue to operate out of the temporary facility at 10 W.
Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408, until further notice. I will continue to
keep you posted on construction updates and progress. I’m pleased that they
heard community voices that see the return of the Post Office as an important
aspect of rebuilding Lake Street.
Here’s an update from the Capitol:
Earned Sick and Safe Time
No one should have to choose between caring for themselves or a loved one and a
paycheck and I’m fully supporting a new bill to expand Earned Sick and Safe
Time (https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/bills/Info/HF7/92/2021/0) The House
DFL-backed bill aims to provide an important short-term benefit to workers by
allowing them to accrue sick time based on the number of hours worked. For many
Minnesotans, the difficult choice between a paycheck and taking time off to
care for a sick child is a real problem, especially for low-wage and service
industry workers. This requirement has several key additional benefits,
including healthier workplaces and schools, greater support for caregivers, and
reduced health care costs.
Increase Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act of 2021
I’m please to share that efforts are underway to recruit and retain more
teachers of color and Indigenous educators in Minnesota. The Increase Teachers
of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act of 2021 has moved through the Education
Policy and Finance Committees and continues to make its way through the
committee process. We can deliver a quality education and celebrate our
diversity in Minnesota by recruiting and retaining more Indigenous teachers,
and educators of color, so our classrooms reflect more of what our state looks
like. You can watch Fox9’s coverage here
(https://www.fox9.com/news/new-bill-seeks-added-diversity-among-minnesota-teachers)
Legislation to Address Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converter theft is on the rise, and I’ve heard from many in our
community who have been impacted. As a result, I’ve co-sponsored legislation
(https://kstp.com/minnesota-news/bill-seeks-to-crack-down-on-catalytic-converter-thefts-february-11-2021/6009729/?cat=12196&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_KSTP)
to help crack down on these expensive crimes by making it illegal for anyone to
sell a catalytic converter except a repair shop, auto recycler or vehicle owner
with proof of ownership. The bill would also make it illegal for scrap dealers
to pay cash for converters. This takes the quick cash out of catalytic
converter theft.
Minnesotans are already struggling enough economically with the ongoing
pandemic- this shouldn’t be one more thing they have to worry about.
Adult-Use Cannabis Measure Introduced
Early last week, my House DFL colleagues and I introduced legislation that
would legalize adult-use cannabis
(https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF600&ssn=0&y=2021)
Minnesota. The bill, of which I’m a co-author, would create a regulated
cannabis market while addressing concerns around youth access, public health,
and road safety.
We know our cannabis laws in Minnesota are doing more harm than good. By
creating a regulatory framework, we can address the harms caused by cannabis
and establish a more sensible set of laws to improve our health care & criminal
justice systems and ensure better outcomes for our communities across the
state, especially our Black, Indigenous and communities of color. If any state
can get this right, it’s Minnesota. The bill’s first stop will be the House
Commerce Committee on which I sit, and I look forward to its movement through
the committee process.
SAFE Act
The Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance & Policy
Committee approved legislation
(https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?f=HF445&b=house&y=2021&ssn=0) this
week creating the new SAFE (State Aid for Emergencies) Account, a fund making
assistance available to local governments after unplanned or extraordinary
public safety events that exhaust available local resources, including mutual
aid. As Derek Chauvin’s trial is set to begin for his direct role in George
Floyd’s death, it’s critical to ensure all of our cities are well-equipped to
respond to bad actors or outside groups trying to infiltrate our state and
destroy our businesses and livelihoods.
Minnesotans must also maintain their rights to peacefully gather and make their
voices heard under the first amendment. Last summer, we saw individuals who
were demonstrating peacefully, bystanders, and members of the press hit with
pepper spray, shot at with rubber bullets, and experience other unjustified use
of force at the hands of law enforcement at a time when members of our
community were counting on our police officers to protect us from harm. The
legislation includes an important measure to ensure all law enforcement
agencies adopt a policy specifically addressing their responsibilities in
response to public assemblies. This provision is necessary to help build trust
within our communities, including within law enforcement, to protect the civil
liberties of all Minnesotans. Balancing the need for public safety with rights
to protest and accountability for police will be a difficult challenge.
Sadly, Republicans in the legislature seem only interested in politicizing the
trauma our Twin Cities’ neighborhoods endured amid the civil unrest that took
place last summer. My colleague Rep. Hassan spoke out to address this in
committee on Monday and you can watch her powerful remarks here
(https://www.facebook.com/Hodanheela/videos/2862742370719208)
Riverview Theatre Receives State Grant Funding
I’m pleased to share that our beloved Riverview has received a state grant of
$15,000 to help stay afloat during the ongoing pandemic. It’s no secret our
local arts scene in Minneapolis has taken a significant hit over the last year,
so I’m glad the legislature could get this support to Minnesota theatres and
convention centers as a part of the measure we passed in December.
Keep in Touch
Please continue reaching out anytime at <email obscured> or 651-296-0173
with input, ideas, or questions. I appreciate hearing from you!
Thank you for the honor of representing our South Minneapolis neighbors at the
Capitol.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative
Cooper resident