Neighbors,
Yesterday, the special session of the legislature convened at noon. This session is focusing on transformational change for policing in Minnesota and unfinished business due to the onset of COVID-19, which cut short our regular legislative session and shifted our attention to helping those impacted by the pandemic. During yesterday’s floor session, we approved HF 5 which includes $62.5 million in grants for small business impacted by COVID-19. The aid comes at an important time to help our businesses get back on their feet. The first $60 million in the bill comes from the federal CARES Act, and $2.5 million from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Emergency Loan Program.
Additional priorities up for consideration in special session include mortgage and rental assistance, expanding broadband internet, approving a temporary raise for our personal care assistants, and our local jobs and projects bill to help Minnesota recover and boost our economy. You can see other items to be addressed here.
Public Safety Division holds day-long hearing
Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Division is holding a day-long remote hearing to consider the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020, aimed at reimagining and reforming public safety in the state. This push is being led by our People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus and has my full support.
The series of legislation is contained in three distinct packages: Reforming Accountability, Reclaiming Community Oversight, and Reimagining Public Safety. Measures to be discussed include reforms to use of force, prosecutorial and investigatory reform, changes to incident review procedures, training related to mental health and autism, and more. If you could not view the hearing live, the video will be available from House Public Information Services YouTube page.
- Data Practices Modifications for Peace Officers (Her)
- 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)
- Use of Force Reform (Becker-Finn)
- Prosecutorial Reform (Becker-Finn)
- Investigatory Reform (Mariani)
- Cash Bail (Noor)
- 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)
Stay Safe MN – Phase III
On Wednesday, June 10, limited re-opening of dine-in restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues began. Occupancy rates will be limited based on risk, with an overall occupancy maximum of 250 people. You can learn more here about the Phase III Stay Safe MN plan.
Rebuilding Minneapolis
If you are looking for ways to help our neighbors affected by the events following George Floyd’s death, you can visit We Love Lake Street and the West Broadway Coalition to make a donation to help rebuild our community and keep our businesses local.
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You can contact me at rep.sydney.jordan@house.mn or (651) 296-4219. Be sure to “like” my official state representative Facebook page!
Thank you for the privilege of serving District 60A in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Sydney Jordan
State Representative
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