Dear neighbors,
I wanted to check in with you given how much has happened in the last few days.
First, I’d like to thank everyone who has lent a hand to our Twin Cities neighbors. Due to unrest following the tragic death of George Floyd, several communities don’t have access to food and basic supplies. It’s moving to see Minnesotans coming together to clean up and gather food and other critical items. If you’re wondering how you can help, the Star Tribune published a list of resources that you might find useful here. Here’s some of the food and supply drives, events, and marches that are happening in our area this weekend:
Some municipal buildings and businesses in our area were damaged as well. Yesterday, I joined local leaders to discuss what’s going on in Dakota County at a virtual delegation meeting. The slides from that meeting are available here.
Criminal Justice Reform
Many people have asked what we can do at the Legislature to reform our criminal justice system and ensure all Minnesotans can be safe in their communities. I encourage you to check out a package of legislation introduced by the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, which I mentioned in my last email. The series of recommendations put forth by a working group on police-involved deadly force encounters, which was led by Attorney General Keith Ellison and Department of Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, is another good resource. Please feel free to share your own suggestions.
Stay Safe MN
Many restaurants, bars, salons, and barbershops reopened Monday as we entered a new phase of the Stay Safe Plan. Restaurants and bars are now able to offer outdoor dining, and salons and barbershops can operate at 25 percent occupancy. However, concerns about COVID-19 remain. If you’d like to support local businesses, please continue following public health practices to protect yourself, other customers, and employees. More information about the various phases of the Stay Safe Plan is available here.
Finally, as many fawns are born at this time of year, I’d like to share this reminder from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Baby deer should be left where found. In most cases, the mother deer will be nearby, even if she is out of sight. Baby deer may be left alone for as long as three days. A doe with fawns may be aggressively protective – stay away from them for your own safety and keep your pets away too.
I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Rick Hansen
State Representative