Dear Neighbors,
The last two weeks have been a busy time at the Capitol and in our communities. I am encouraged to see that late last night MPS and MFT reached a tentative agreement to end the teacher strike in Minneapolis. We are still learning the details of the proposed agreement, which includes key educator priorities such as an increase in wages for ESPs, agreements on class sizes, mental health supports, and protections for teachers of color.
I’ve heard from many of you - parents, educators, and students - about the stress and challenges you’ve faced in the last few weeks as well as your support for our Minneapolis educators and the fight for safe and stable schools. I know our students and educators in Minneapolis are eager to get back in the classroom. Here at the Capitol, we must continue the urgent work of fighting to use the record surplus to reverse decades of underinvestment in our public schools.
Thank you to those who’ve reached out to support investments in public education, along with the people who’ve come to the Capitol to advocate for Minnesota’s kids, families, and workers. It was great to hear from the SEIU healthcare, hourly school workers, and janitorial workers who keep our schools, hospitals, and economy running and from Moms Demand Action members who are leading the fight for common sense gun reform to keep our kids and families safe. It’s great to see so many Minnesotans standing up for issues that are important to them and their neighbors!
Expanding Students’ Access to Mental Health Resources
The Minneapolis teachers and ESPs who have been on strike drew attention to several unmet needs in our schools, including mental health services for students. The House Education Policy Committee is working hard to address these issues and held a public hearing dedicated to mental health in schools earlier this month.
Many of our schools were struggling to provide adequate support for students experiencing mental health issues prior to the pandemic, and COVID-19 has significantly increased demand for these services. I’m proud to be a co-author of one of the bills that the Education Policy Committee heard earlier this month, a proposal that would require school districts to employ at least one full-time counselor for each school building. The committee also discussed legislation that equips school districts to perform evidence-based mental health screenings. Both of these bills would help identify mental health issues that students are facing and get them the help they need to thrive.
Supporting the People of Ukraine
While the Minnesota Legislature doesn’t have jurisdiction over foreign policy, we’re doing what we can to support the people of Ukraine as they continue defending their country and democracy. Yesterday, we passed a bill that would divest our state’s pension fund investments from Russia and codify an Executive Order Governor Walz issued to bar state agencies from contracting with Russian companies.
Establishing Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as State Holidays
The State Government Finance and Elections Committee also considered legislation that would modify state holidays. For example, we heard a bill that would establish Juneteenth as a state holiday last week. This event, which marks the date when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure the last enslaved people in the nation would be set free, is an important part of American history and deserves to be observed every year.
Another bill we heard would replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It would require schools to recognize the day with educational programming about the history and culture of Indigenous people, as well as related issues. I’m glad we’re having these important conversations about what our state should be recognizing.
Advocating for the Latino Economic Development Center
The Latino Economic Development Center has provided job training, business assistance, loans, and other forms of support to Minnesotans for nearly 20 years. Demand for their services has increased substantially over the past few years, and the center needs additional resources to meet the needs of their clients. I’m carrying a bill that contains $1 million to help the LEDC continue their critical work. I recently presented it to the Workforce and Economic Development Committee. Henry Jimenez, the President of LEDC, and Maneul Rutiaga, the owner of Gorditas El Durango, spoke in support of the bill. You can watch their testimony here.
Please reach out if you have any questions, ideas, or feedback you’d like to share. You can reach me by email at rep.emma.greenman@house.mn or call (651) 296-4200.
Sincerely,
Emma Greenman
State Representative