In the short time since Melissa’s killing last June, we’ve seen incredibly dark days in our state. The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and the deadly federal overreach with Operation Metro Surge are issues that demand legislative action, and we’ll be following Melissa’s playbook as we do this work. Lead with compassion. Be clear that the “why” we do this work is to end suffering and create a better life for all Minnesotans. That compassion can present differently in how we lead, but what’s vital is that it’s at the center of our work. Don’t just work hard, work smart, and work together. There is no individual speech or press conference that is more important than our collective work – as a House DFL Caucus and in partnership with the public – to set a goal and then achieve it. Keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t stop fighting until we’ve achieved the big wins that will change lives for the better. Identify the problems in front of you, solve them, and move forward. Until the job is done and the victory is won. LFG. Strengthening Minnesota Against ICE Since Operation Metro Surge began in earnest in Minnesota, my DFL colleagues and I have been working on state-level solutions to not only triage the damage from ICE’s lawless rampage, but to prepare our state for future overreaches from the federal government. This week, we hit the ground running with bills to deliver housing assistance to impacted families and ban federal agents from our schools without a judicial warrant. We are also ready with many more bills, like banning federal agents from masking their identities and requiring an independent investigation into the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. To pass these bills in a tied Minnesota House, we’re asking our Republican colleagues to simply do one thing: Vote like a good neighbor. That was my message to Republicans this week when advocating for the emergency rental assistance our communities need. Because if we show a fraction of the courage Minnesotans have in standing up for their neighbors in need, we can make real change to heal our state from the harms brought by ICE. The plea of our neighbors fell on deaf ears. Every single Republican voted no. |