Legislative Update - March 19, 2021

Dear Neighbors, 

This week saw the latest and deadliest attack on Asian Americans, which has become an all too common occurrence during this pandemic - though the hate certainly existed before. This tragedy and other acts of violence have been fueled by hateful words, often coming from those who would use their positions of power to divide instead of unite. 

In our statement as the Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus, we called upon the state and federal governments to do more to fight disinformation, hateful language, and hate crimes by funding improved data collection and reporting of hate crimes and consistently working to reduce disinformation. This week, we mourn for those who lost their lives due to the hate and fear that has built up in this country. We will continue to fight this hate, but we ask that our friends, communities, and elected officials stand up for all Asian Americans to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.

My friend and colleague, Rep. Tou Xiong, spoke to this week’s shootings in Atlanta on the House floor, which you can watch below.

Rebuilding Our Communities

Time and again, Minnesota steps up to help communities rebuild after tragedy. We can't let Minneapolis and St. Paul be the exception. Building upon our efforts from earlier this month to shine a light on the businesses and communities still struggling from last year’s civil unrest, this week, Rep. Noor and I wrote an op-ed for the Star Tribune, calling on our Republican colleagues to come to the table to help support the impacted small businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

With the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin looming large in the Twin Cities, we cannot forget that in addition to justice and public safety reform, resources are also desperately needed to help these neighborhoods and small businesses rebuild. When communities are hit with disasters, Minnesota steps up to help, regardless of ZIP code. Why does it seem as if these Black, Indigenous and communities of color are the exception?

We need to pass the PROMISE Act and my bill delivering redevelopment grants to small businesses. We cannot wait to deliver aid any longer. 

Jobs in Clean Energy

This week, I presented my bill in committee that would appropriate $2.5 million from the Renewable Development Account for a grant to NorthGate Development in North Minneapolis, creating a pilot project to provide training pathways into careers in the clean energy sector for students and young adults in underserved communities. The training would prioritize the inclusion of communities of color, indigenous people, and people with low incomes. 

This bill will help Minnesota meet the workforce demands in various sectors of the emerging clean energy economy and we must engage and equip community members who have traditionally not participated in the energy career pathways. This project is all about equity; equity in education, skills training, climate change mitigation, economic opportunity, environmental justice, and infrastructure improvements in a community that needs all the above.

Affordable Insulin

Last session, I was proud to support legislation that established Minnesota’s insulin safety net program, which provides life-saving insulin to diabetics when they are in urgent need and unable to pay the skyrocketing costs of the medication. Since the program began last July, the largest insulin manufacturers have provided a total value of $2,148,564.74 in insulin at an affordable price. While this is a great program that is saving lives, the data shows that more Minnesotans are out there that could be taking advantage of this opportunity.

If you or anyone you know is in urgent need of a 30-day or long-term supply of affordable insulin, please visit MNinsulin.org where you can see if you qualify, download the application, and learn how to apply today.

If you have any questions on applying for this program, the other ways we’re fighting for affordable health care, or any of our work in the Minnesota House, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can contact me at 651-296-4262 or email at rep.fue.lee@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee

State Representative