Special Session Continues

Dear Neighbors,

The first special session of 2020 appears to be nearing its end. The House DFL has worked tirelessly to craft and pass several bills and reforms that you have called for. We are ready to meet the moment and stand up for justice and equity for all Minneostans. Unfortunately our Republican colleagues are refusing to come to the table and listen to the expertise of our People of Color and Indigenous Caucus (POCI) members. They have taken the lead in crafting legislation that will create a better Minnesota. It is time that we support them and all Minnesotans of color.

Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020

The House debated several public safety reform bills for several hours last night until early this morning. The House DFL recognizes that we need massive systemic reform if we are to ever have a public safety system that keeps all Minnesotans safe. Our Republican colleagues refused to join us in calling for these changes and are unwilling to listen. So while these bills have passed the House and are on their way to the Senate, it is doubtful our calls for justice will be enacted. We have laid the groundwork and can envision the Minnesota that we need, and it is a fight we will continue. Here is the full list of reforms the House passed today:

Reclaiming Community Oversight

Putting power into the hands of the people and neighborhoods that police officers are sworn to serve and protect.

• Retroactive Repeal of Statutes of Limitations (Vang)
• Warrior Training Prohibited (Richardson)
• Choke Hold Ban (Moran)
• Duty to Intercede (Becker-Finn)
• Police Residency Reform (Hassan)
• Data Collection and Regulatory Reform/etc. (Mariani)
• Arbitration Reform (Her)
• Law Enforcement Oversight Council Reform (Gomez)

Reforming Accountability

Restoring confidence and trust in the systems that are meant to provide justice for all Minnesotans.

• Use of Force Reform (Moran)
• Prosecutorial Reform (Becker-Finn)
• Investigatory Reform (Mariani)
• Cash Bail Reform (Noor)

Re-Imagining Public Safety

Ending the unacceptable culture that is responsible for the murder of George Floyd and far too many others who look like him.

• Public Safety Peer Counseling Debriefing (Noor)
• Police Officer Critical Incident Review (Kunesh-Podein)
• Community Led Public Safety (Gomez)
• Mental Health Training (Richardson)
• Autism Training (Richardson)
• Restore the Vote (Moran)

Assistance for Small Business

The first bill we approved last Friday will create a $62.5 million fund for small business grants. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees can receive grants up to $10,000 each. This is a massively important bill that will provide our local businesses with the assistance they need to continue on during these difficult times. Of the $62.5 million total, there are several carve-outs:

• $18 million for micro-businesses with six or fewer full-time employees,
• $10 million for minority-owned businesses,
• $2.5 million for women-owned businesses,
• $2.5 million for veteran-owned businesses, and
• $2.5 million for ethnic malls with at least 25 vendors (e.g. Hmong Village, Somali Karmel Mall). Individual grants can be up to $250,000 for each mall owner and must be used primarily for rent forgiveness for mall vendors.

To be eligible, the business must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a permanent physical location in Minnesota, 
2. Be owned by a permanent resident of Minnesota, 
3. Be in good standing with the Secretary of State’s office and the Dept. of Revenue as of March 1, 2020, and 
4. Demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grants will be awarded by lottery and the funds will be evenly split in their allocation to Greater Minnesota and Metro-area businesses. This bill has already been signed into law by Governor Walz, and applications will be accepted during a 10-day period beginning on Tuesday, June 23, and lasting through Thursday, July 2. You can find more information on how to apply here. 

House DFL PROMISE ACT

We also passed legislation that will provide significant aid to our Twin Cities neighbors so they can rebuild after the recent devastation. We have to stick up for one another and support these communities that have been hurt the most. You can watch our press conference on this legislation here.The legislation would:

• Create a special panel to review cases and provide direct compensation to impacted individuals.
• Partner with cities and community organizations to create economic relief programs for impacted businesses and organizations.
• Give local units of government flexibility and tools to prevent gentrification.
• Direct the Minnesota Department of Commerce to assist business owners, and require insurance companies to notify the department of any rejected claims.
• Help with the rising cost of leases for eligible residential and commercial properties.
• Eliminate the sales tax on the purchase of construction materials used to rebuild damaged or destroyed properties. 
• Provide property and sales tax cuts for eligible properties.
• Establish a “Metropolitan Area Redevelopment Corporation” to create a long-term plan for equity-driven redevelopment and transformation.

Brad Tabke, State Representative | Rep.Brad.Tabke@house.mn

Addie Miller, Legislative Assistant | adeline.miller@house.mn