Friends and Neighbors,
As a first term state representative, I am learning an abundance of knowledge and wisdom from my DFL colleagues and most importantly the local advocates and community leaders. We would not be accomplishing our goals at the pace we are without the dedicated support and rallying of our constituents and allies. Here is what going on at the Capitol:
Rondo Land Trust
Members in my Rondo community have been trailblazing the efforts to grow and foster our community for decades. To preserve our community history and the wealth of generational patronage, we must invest money to support our neighborhoods by stabilizing affordable housing in the Rondo community.
Ramadan/Iftar at the Capitol
Ramadan Mubarak to my community around the world! As we celebrate during this time, I am thinking of all the families and children around the state and nation. I wish everyone a peaceful Ramadan.
The Minnesota House of Representatives hosted a wonderful Iftar ceremony at the Capitol Monday evening. We had members of the community join us for prayer, dinner, and a community gathering.
Housing Bills
Last week, I presented two bills in the Housing Finance and Policy Committee. HF 2632 would establish a statewide stable housing organization relief program with a $120 million investment. Minnesotans are asking for equitable access to housing services and support systems in their communities. The Stable Housing Organization Relief Program will provide the ongoing, collective efforts needed to disrupt the violent cycles of homelessness many people are experiencing by increasing the quality of resources provided by non-profit affordable housing operators across the state.
The other bill, HF 1214, would uplift and strengthen the work of the Community Stabilization Project (CSP). CSP utilizes a holistic approach to addressing homelessness by working aggressively to network with property owners/rental agents to reduce time in applying for housing. They work with property owners to preserve affordable housing stock in underserved communities by connecting with resources to upgrade properties so that cost does not come back on renters. The work CSP does is imperative for our stable housing efforts, and we need to reward their community services by giving the proper funding to ensure every Minnesotan who is struggling with affordable housing has access to their services.
Kellogg Boulevard Bridge
Last week in the Capital Investment Committee, I presented HF 1345, a bill that provides critical funding to the city of Saint Paul for the Eastbound Kellogg Rivercentre Bridge.. The bridge is nearly 90 years old, serves over seven million visitors a year, and is critical to downtown businesses and organizations (Xcel Energy Center/MN Wild, Science Museum, Ordway, etc.). For the continued safety and security of our residents and visitors, we need to invest in repairing the Kellogg Bridge.
“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 (DFL-Saint Paul) 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 stories 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 don’t hesitate to reach out anytime with input, or questions, or to let me know how I can be of assistance at rep.samakab.hussein@house.mn.gov or 651-296-5158. Be sure to ‘like’ and follow my new Facebook page.
Thank you for the honor of serving our community.
Sincerely,
Rep. Samakab Hussein
Committee Assignments:
Vice Chair Legacy Finance
Capital Investment
Housing Finance and Policy
Labor and Industry Finance and Policy