This is an example of a bill that we’ve previously passed in the Minnesota House, but now, with a narrow DFL majority in the Senate, there is renewed hope that we can finally sign this bill into law. Establishing the Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Another bill we passed was House File 55, which would establish an Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls. When Black women and girls go missing, their cases stay open and unsolved four times longer than similar cases of white women and girls. This disparity is unacceptable, and action to remedy this disparity is long overdue. Establishing this office and investing resources into better prioritization of these cases is a step in the right direction. Once the bill is law, Minnesota will be the first state to have an office dedicated to addressing the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered women and girls. Minnesota State Arts Board - Grant Opportunities Available Applications are now available for the Creative Individuals grant program. Creative Individuals grants are designed to help individual artists and culture bearers develop or sustain their creative practices and meaningfully engage with Minnesotans. Grantees may use funds to support their creative practice and meaningfully connect to, and engage with, audiences, participants, students, and/or communities during the grant period. Applicants may request between $2,000 - $10,000. Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants, can be found on the Creative Individuals program page. Cracking Down on Catalytic Converter TheftCatalytic converter theft is an issue in communities throughout our state, and though we’ve made some progress in the past, much more is needed to address this issue. This week we passed HF 30, which would add additional requirements scrap metal dealers must follow when purchasing catalytic converters, including a requirement that any catalytic converter is marked with an identifying number that connects it to the vehicle from which it was taken. The bill also requires registration with the Department of Public Safety before purchasing scrap metal. It also establishes criminal penalties for the unauthorized possession or purchase of a catalytic converter. Minnesota ranks in the top five for catalytic cover thefts. In November of 2022, a federal takedown of a catalytic converter theft ring of over a half-billion dollars included more than a dozen search warrants across Minnesota. It’s going to take all levels of government working together to address this issue, and our bill puts us on the right path. District 59 Town HallDon’t forget about our upcoming town hall on Tuesday, February 28. We’ll be at the Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) from 5:30-7:30pm, and I hope you can join us! |