Dear Neighbors,
Last week, the Minnesota House passed House File 2, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. This legislation has been in the works for nearly a decade and now is the time to deliver on our promise to Minnesotans. Too often, many workers in our state face the impossible choice of either going to work to earn a paycheck or staying home to take care of themselves or a sick family member.
While some workers have jobs that provide paid sick leave, thousands of Minnesotans do not have access to a single paid day off. Additionally, those in the lowest wage positions and our BIPOC community members face stark disparities. I was proud to vote ‘yes’ to ensure every Minnesotan is protected by a safety net that uplifts humanity.
It was an honor to testify on the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act. When I lost my mother, I did not have the privilege to take time off work to care for her, I had to compartmentalize my sadness and channel that into my work. I never want another family to go through what I experienced. Minnesotans deserve better, we take care of each other and that’s what we will continue to do with the PFML program.
Conference Committees Underway
Conference Committees are committees made up of members from the House and Senate appointed to reconcile the differences between two versions of a bill. This is an important time to collaborate with our colleagues and iron out the differences in language to ensure the bill is reflective and responsive to our communities.
I was selected to serve on the Legacy conference committee. I look forward to the robust conversations with my colleagues as we work to build a bill that is reflective of our community's needs, putting together a final bill that honors our commitment to our outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage.
In the Community
Thanks to all of the folks that came out to our town hall at Frogtown Community Center! I’m so grateful to have constituents who are willing to show up and engage with the issues that matter to them. #SD65A
Happy Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month! The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese community to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
During this wonderful month, we wish our AAPI communities a joyous gathering to celebrate achievements and milestones. May you indulge in songs, food, ritual, and stories with your families and loved ones.
Let us also strive to find humanity in each other as we uplift and celebrate the cultures and traditions of our AAPI community.
Learn more on AAPI Heritage Month: https://asianpacificheritage.gov/about/
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR)
It was an honor to share space with our Indigenous relatives for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) event. This movement seeks to draw attention to the high rates of disappearances and murders of Native people, particularly women and girls. We must work together as a community to keep this movement that advocates, families, and relatives have been doing for decades to end violence against Native women.
Children’s Book Week Celebration
I was happy to join local BIPOC children’s book authors and illustrators this weekend at the Minnesota Humanities Center. It was great to see the literary community engage in stories and family activities. I hope more families join me in diversifying their child’s library collection with children’s books from different authors and illustrators.
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