Dear Neighbors,
I hope your summer is off to a fantastic start! Summer's here, and it's the perfect time to support local farmers and enjoy fresh produce at your neighborhood farmers' market. In the 2023 legislative session, I carried legislation to ensure all Minnesotans can use their SNAP/EBT cards at farmer's markets. This funding has also helped many vendors modernize their technology and equipment to accept these benefits.
Here are few important reminders I wanted to share with you:
MN Promise Act Application Deadline – June 30th
Attention Minnesota businesses! The deadline to apply for MN Promise Act grants is approaching fast. Applications close on June 30th, 2024, at 11:59 PM. This is your chance to receive financial assistance to support your operational costs. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity to grow your business and contribute to your community.
Visit the MN Promise Act website at MN Promise Act Grant Applications for eligibility requirements and application details.
White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders' (AA&NHPI) Economic Summit – July 2nd
Next week, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders' (AA&NHPI) Economic Summit is coming to the Eastside! Neighbors and business owners can learn more about how federal agencies can support you while also sharing your expectations and opinions on our community's economic development. RSVP here to join the July 2nd meeting at Metro State University.
Re-cap of 2024 Coalition of Asian American Leaders Town Hall
It was an honor to join colleagues from the legislature and community leaders at the Coalition of Asian American Leaders legislative town hall. We had a robust discussion about the most productive legislative session in state history and the different bills we passed which support Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) communities in Minnesota.
I was excited to talk about our historic expansion of the Working Families and Child Tax Credit, as well as my bill to honor the first arrivals of Hmong and Vietnamese families to Minnesota in 1975. Passage of my bill HF4996 secures $600,000 to the Minnesota Historical Society to fund grants for cultural, community, and veterans' organizations celebrating 50 years of Southeast Asians and Hmong Americans in Minnesota. By fostering these celebrations, we honor the history and contributions of communities like mine who chose to make Minnesota home. We also create a more inclusive and dynamic Minnesota for everyone.
Re-Cap of Hmong Cultural Center Tour
I had a great time hosting the Hmong Cultural Center's adult ESL and Citizenship classes during their visit to the Capitol. Many of the participants were new to the United States and wanted to learn more about the American system of government and how they can have their voice heard as part of the legislative process and as new Minnesota residents. I was so inspired to hear their hopes and dreams of becoming new Americans!
Stay Connected
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To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out here. For meetings, please email my legislative assistant Legislative Assistant: Robin Mercer-Taylor at Robin.Mercer-Taylor@house.mn.gov or call 651-296-3869. If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe, click here. If you have a friend or neighbor who would be interested in receiving these, please forward this and encourage them to subscribe.
Zoo siab,
Rep. Liz Lee
District (67A)
Minnesota House of Representatives