Dear Neighbors,
This legislative session has flown by. My DFL colleagues and I are dedicated to delivering results to our residents. We are currently busy working on our committee budgets to ensure we are supporting Minnesotans in the best way possible. In the meantime, here is what happening at the Capitol:
Gun Violence Prevention
Gun violence in the United States is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem. We need to enact aggressive gun violence prevention measures to protect our citizens and most importantly our children. As a state, we need to implement policies to address the risk of someone potentially causing harm to themselves or others with a firearm, and my bill providing for Extreme Risk Protection Orders would do just that. The licensing of handgun purchasers, background check requirements for all gun sales, and close oversight of retail gun sellers can reduce the diversion of guns to dangerous people. Reducing the incidence of gun violence will require interventions through multiple systems, including legal, public health, public safety, community, and health. We need to increase the availability of data collection and funding to inform and evaluate policies designed to reduce gun violence.
Active Shooter Drills
HF 2097 is straightforward, good legislation. This bill defines “active shooter drill” and active shooter simulation and establishes requirements for how they may be conducted. It is devastating we have to legislate how to properly defend our citizens and law enforcement against an active shooter, but due to lack of action from Republicans, these are the times we are living in. We cannot be reactive in the face of rising gun violence. We need to have standardized procedures and protocols in the event of an armed intruder or active shooter emergency.
Minnesota STEM Partnership
I authored HF 1407 to increase grant funding for the Minnesota STEM Partnership. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education puts an emphasis on preparing future generations of world leaders by growing their cognition skills. The skills gained from STEM education extend beyond those needed to be successful in STEM fields, preparing children with varied interests who move into any industry to have valuable skill sets that allow them to be successful. Moreover, the funding will support all children gain access to develop their skills with the STEM model.
Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations
Radio still plays a vital role in today’s world, which is why I am passionate about carrying HF 1408. Radio broadcasts provide real-time information, and some that broadcast 24 hours a day, can provide the most recent updates to listeners. Radio has the ability to reach across borders and can become a valuable source of information where reliable news is scarce. We need to build avenues for our next generation of radio broadcasters to strengthen how citizens get their news, build a love for diverse music, and support local businesses.
“Banning the Box”
On Monday March 27, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the “Ban the Box” legislation with an 82-47 vote. The bill, HF 375, chief authored by Rep. Athena Hollins will prohibit appointing authorities from inquiring into an employment applicant’s criminal history when making appointments to public boards, commissions, task forces, or other entities referred to in law as “multimember agencies.”
As we work towards building a more inclusive state, we must reform current laws that perpetuate systems of harm and isolation. People from BIPOC communities are disproportionately discouraged by the appointment application process when they should be encouraged to share their story of redemption, growth, and healing.
Prohibition of Private Prisons
When private prisons are focused solely on increasing profits and cutting costs, what they sacrifice is safety, both for the inmates and the people who work there. Prison corporations put their profits ahead of public safety, and our criminal justice system deserves better.
This session, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed House File 1200, which would effectively ban private prisons in the state. A 2016 report by the Justice Department found that, in general, private prisons provide fewer correctional services at greater security and safety risk to inmates and staff, without producing substantial savings.
Minnesota joins at least five other states that have passed legislation aiming to reduce, limit, or ban private prisons. President Biden issued an executive order in January 2021 that will phase out the Justice Department’s use of private prisons, and Minnesota has not had any private prisons since the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton closed in 2010.
As a co-author of the bill, I proudly voted “yes” for the legislation on the House floor last Thursday.
State Competitiveness Fund
Last Thursday, I also voted “yes” to pass a bill ensuring that Minnesota is in the best position to unlock federal funds for clean energy projects, meet our climate goals, and transition to a cleaner future. The bill invests $115 million to unlock billions in federal funding and will create good-paying union jobs and ensure that everyone can benefit from this clean energy transition.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to reach out anytime if you need assistance or have questions at rep.cedrick.frazier@house.mn.gov or 651-296-4255. You can also follow my official Facebook page and the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus page.
In community,
Rep. Cedrick Frazier
Minnesota House of Representatives
Committee Assignments:
Vice Chair Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Education Policy
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Workforce Development Finance and Policy
Legislative Assistant:
Jack Dockendorf 651-296-9552
jack.dockendorf@house.mn.gov