Saint Paul, MN - Today, the House Capital Investment Committee held its final of two hearings focused on the economic impacts of racism, its effect on capital investment projects, and the need to invest in new projects that promote equity. The committee, chaired by Rep. Fue Lee (DFL - Minneapolis), spent the week listening to testimony from academics and organizations who highlighted the existing disparities in capital investment and the success of past equity projects.
“The disparities faced by black, Indigenous, and people of color throughout Minnesota are real, and intentional or not, racism comes with an economic cost,” said Rep. Lee. “As chair of the House Capital Investment Committee, it’s my intention that we view our work through this lens of racial equity. The presentations we heard this week helped to lay the necessary groundwork for crafting a bonding bill that not only rejects projects that would perpetuate these disparities, but one that actively invests in the needs of disenfranchised communities and peoples.”
Additional information, including supporting materials and presentation slides from testifiers, is available on the House Capital Investment Committee’s webpage. Video recording of today’s hearing will be made available on the House Public Information YouTube channel.