Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Sometimes it feels like we are still in 2020 and it just won’t end.  

The MN State Capitol was mentioned in several reports detailing attacks against Capitols across the United States. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is taking the possible threat seriously.

While the State Capitol Complex will be secure and under the protection of the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota National Guard, the Senate DFL is encouraging Minnesotans to avoid the Capitol and counter protesting in the proximity of these potentially dangerous gatherings until the threat has passed.

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, I am reminded of one of his many memorable quotes. “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” 

The peaceful transfer of power has been a foundation and hallmark of our democracy for over 200 years. I remain hopeful that truth, love, and justice have the final word and that our Country will shortly find peace and grow stronger.  

If you have an urgent constituent issue, please email my LA, Tytiana.  The quickest way to reach her is at Tytiana.reid@senate.mn

Hope to see you at our Townhall tomorrow.  Stay safe and enjoy the weekend.

SD 60 Virtual Townhall

Please join Representative Jordan, Representative Noor, & me for a Virtual Townhall on Saturday, January 16th at 10:00 am. This townhall will be broadcast on Facebook.  You do not need to join Facebook to participate.  

Your input on legislation and the budget will be appreciated. 

Many of you have stated you would prefer we didn’t use Facebook – we are looking at other platforms to hold townhalls that allow us to have better interactions.  

We plan on having closed captioning.  

 

Clean Car Rulemaking Public Session

The MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is considering rules that would enable MN to adopt Low Emission Vehicle and Zero Emission Vehicle standards.  They will be having a series of public hearings in the next few weeks.Information can be found HERE.

Meet our Interns

Welcome to our 2021 Session Interns.  We depend on them to help us get through the session.  I read all the emails and draft responses, but they help send them, especially the mass emails.  They also research issues, monitor committees, and track bills in the House. We will try to make it a fun learning experience and are grateful they are willing to join us - even if a lot of the work is remote. 

Evalin Olson

Evalin Olson (she/her/hers) is a second-year student at American University in Washington DC where she is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies in Communication, Legal Institutes, Economics and Government and minoring in Chinese Language.

Evalin is particularly interested in how labor laws affect economic justice for women and people of color. She is excited to assist our office and be a part of the everyday workings of democracy. In her free time, Evalin enjoys walking her dog and watching historical dramas.   

Ijeoma Ugboajah

Ijeoma Ugboajah is a second-year student at the University of Minnesota, with a passion for social justice. She’s majoring in both philosophy and political science with a minor in African American studies. In her free time, she likes to contribute to her community through local grassroots organizing. She is the co-founder of the organization META Liberation and a former co-host on the KRSM radio show 1st Gen. Both projects prioritized the amplification of BIPOC voices in spaces where they often devalued. Alongside her advocacy work, she also has a passion for all things science fiction and crochet!