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Dear Neighbors,
While legislators are working remotely this session to protect our constituents and staff, I am eager to speak with you and hear your thoughts. We’ll have to meet virtually until it’s safe to hold in-person events again, but I’ve had some great conversations with community members over the phone, email, and Zoom recently.
This week, I am launching Office Hours with Emma, a new way to connect with me during the legislative session. During these events, you can schedule a time to pop in to ask me a question, share an idea, or give some feedback. The first one will be next Friday, March 12 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., but times will vary so I can accommodate as many folks as possible throughout the year. Please email my Legislative Assistant Ellen Larson at ellen.larson@house.mn to sign up for a time slot.
Senator Patricia Torres Ray, Representative Jim Davnie, and I are holding a COVID-19 Vaccine Roundtable later this month. State and local public health professionals will join us to share information about the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution process. To participate, please visit my Facebook page on Sunday, March 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the For the People Act, a bold democracy bill that strengthens voting rights, tackles corruption, reduces the influence of dark money, and addresses gerrymandering. I’m so proud of the years of organizing that it took to make this happen! Now it’s time to get it done in the U.S. Senate and pass the Democracy for the People Act (HF 9) here in Minnesota. On Tuesday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m., Secretary of State Steve Simon and I will join Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for a “Coffee and Kulan” discussion about how we can reform our democracy to ensure that it works for everyone.
Rebuilding Our Communities
Our community is still struggling with the tragedy and trauma of the murder of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed. In Minnesota, when tragedy strikes we come together to lift each other up and help rebuild. Yesterday, I joined legislators from Minneapolis and St. Paul at a press conference to highlight two proposals that are urgently needed to help our communities and small businesses recover and rebuild. The Providing Resources, Opportunity, and Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act delivers economic assistance to community members, nonprofits, and businesses that were damaged or destroyed, many of which are owned by Black Minnesotans or immigrants. The second proposal helps small businesses meet their infrastructure needs by authorizing the sale of $300 million of Minnesota’s redevelopment appropriation bonds. It is imperative that Minnesotans come together to help Minneapolis and St. Paul rebuild our main street businesses and our community.
Protecting Minnesota Workers
On Wednesday, in the House Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, we heard powerful testimony from Minnesotans who work at meat packing and food processing plants. These essential workers are on the frontlines of feeding our communities, and they work in facilities that have been been especially hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic These workers simply want a safe place to work for themselves and their co-workers and to be able to speak up about safety on the job without worrying about losing their job. I encourage you to watch their remarks and listen to their stories here. I’m proud to stand with these workers and support legislation that would improve safety for meatpacking workers.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if I can be of assistance. You can reach me at rep.emma.greenman@house.mn or 651-296-4200.
Sincerely,
Emma Greenman
State Representative
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