Dear Neighbors,
I’m sure the past two weeks have been difficult for you like they have for me. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by anger and sadness thinking about the 19 kids and their two teachers murdered in Uvalde on Tuesday and the 10 Buffalo residents gunned down in a grocery store last week. My heart breaks for the victims who lost their future and the family members, friends, and neighbors who lost their loved ones. And I know the pain, anxiety, and terror of these mass shootings reach far beyond the victims and their communities. I’ve heard from parents filled with fear as they dropped their kids off at school, from a Black neighbor filled with anxiety about not coming home from the grocery store, from kids who practice school shooting drills and worry if they will be next.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We must not stop fighting for a future without fear, without gun violence. We know this fight is hard. The gun lobby has blocked reforms at the federal and state level that Americans desperately want and that we know will save peoples’ lives. But we cannot give up fighting for measures to prevent gun violence, starting with universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders, and keeping automatic weapons of war off our streets.
An Update from the Capitol
I’m afraid I don’t have much news to share as the 2022 regular legislative session wrapped up this week. While legislators from both parties agreed on a framework for the supplemental budget, with $4 billion to make investments that would improve the lives of Minnesotans and $4 billion to provide tax cuts, the Senate Republicans dragged out the process and even refused to pass bipartisan bills they developed with House DFLers.
My colleagues and I worked around the clock for days to finish our work. So far, Senate Republicans have refused to come back to the Capitol for a special session to finish the work. They are insisting they will walk away without providing any support for our students, funding public safety, or making improvements to our health care system.
I’m angry and disappointed, but I’m not giving up. Legislators developed several bipartisan bills before the session ended, and we’re close to finding compromises in other areas. House DFLers are still working hard, and we will do everything in our power to get this work done. For the good of our communities and the residents of Minnesota, I hope we can complete our work in a special session.
Upcoming Town Halls
If you’d like to hear more about the legislation session and discuss what comes next, I hope you’ll attend one of the town halls I’m hosting with Sen. Patricia Torres Ray and Rep. Jim Davnie next week. Our first town hall of the week will be at the Morris Recreation Center on Thursday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. We’re holding another one on Saturday, June 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Corcoran Recreation Center. Our SD 63 team is eager to hear your input and ideas!
Addressing Racial Discrimination Documented within the Minneapolis Police Department
Last week, House DFLers held a public hearing to review the results of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ investigation of the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department, which they launched after George Floyd was murdered. The agency concluded that the city and MPD engaged in a pattern or practice of race discrimination, violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
This investigation revealed what many people, and especially our BIPOC neighbors, in Minneapolis have known and experienced for a long time. The report demonstrates how urgently we need outside oversight of the police, stronger accountability measures, and system-wide change. The discriminatory practices and unethical conduct are harming Black Minnesotans, Indigenous Minnesotans, and Minnesotans of color, and they aren’t making our city any safer.
After the report was released, the City of Minneapolis began meeting with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to discuss the need for reforms to the Minneapolis Police Department and negotiate a consent decree. It was incredibly disappointing to learn that the city recently halted these meetings. I joined my colleagues in the Minneapolis delegation to urge the City of Minneapolis to continue engaging in the process. The issues within MPD need to be addressed now, and delaying this process will only erode the trust that desperately needs to be rebuilt between Minneapolis residents and the police department.
Connecting with Minnesotans
I had several opportunities to speak with students, teachers, workers, and other Minnesotans who came to the Capitol during the final days of the legislative session. It’s always inspiring to speak and partner with folks impacted by bills we’re considering.
Several Minnesotans who’ve worked at Amazon warehouses shared their stories with lawmakers on Monday, May 16. They also advocated for legislation I authored to protect and empower warehouse workers, which was part of the Jobs and Economic Development bill the House passed.
The past two years have been challenging for students, teachers, and educators. They’re asking legislators to provide additional resources to support students’ social, emotional, and physical wellbeing, so they can recover from the pandemic and move forward. House DFLers will keep advocating for these critical investments!
On Thursday, May 19, the Capitol was filled with the voices of workers in the Minnesota Building Trades. We fought to deliver safe and family-sustaining union jobs, wages, and wage theft protections for Minnesotans this year. Unfortunately, the Jobs and Economic Development bill was one of the bills Senate Republicans left on the table and did not pass, even after reaching an agreement with House DFLers.
Finally, I’d like to recognize and thank my seatmate and friend Rep. Jim Davnie, who is retiring from the legislature after 21 years of dedicated service! He is the best District 63 seat mate, legislative mentor, and friend one could ask for. Join me in thanking Rep. Davnie for his service to our community and our state!
Please stay tuned for updates on these important issues and more. If you have any questions or feedback you’d like to share, you can reach me at rep.emma.greenman@house.mn or call (651) 296-4200.
Sincerely,
Emma Greenman
State Representative