As the most diverse caucus in the history of the Minnesota Senate, Senate DFLers offer a vision for a better Minnesota with priorities that will improve people’s lives and protect their fundamental rights. Members of the Senate DFL held a press conference to announce their priorities for the 2021 legislative session and released the following statement:
“Our state has gone through a difficult year, and as legislators we should be working towards supporting Minnesotans and their families. That is the heart of our priorities, to make sure that everyone is able to prosper in our state. That means investing in education, in sustainable practices, and through protecting our democracy from lies and misinformation,” said Leader Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury). “In a time where Minnesotans need our assistance, Senate Republicans have shown that their priorities lie in policies that have already been rejected by the people of Minnesota. The Senate DFL is committed to advocating for Minnesotans’ interests and to provide support where it matters.”
“Senate DFL members became members of this body by running with our communities, arm in arm. And every community across Minnesota deserves the opportunity to thrive. From the birth of a child to taking care of a sick or disabled family member, everyone should have access to affordable health care, affordable housing, and economic security,” said Senator Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville). “Senate DFLers will support our working families by fighting for paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, stable housing, investments in broadband, and investments in older adult and disability services.”
“The past year has laid bare new challenges in education as all students face the risk of learning loss due to COVID-19, but it has also heightened challenges that have existed for decades in the opportunity gap that students of color face in our state,” said Senator Chuck Wiger (DFL-Maplewood). “The Senate DFL is committed to a future in which all Minnesotans have a path to success. That requires a future where we invest in full service community schools, provide greater access to counseling, and increase the number of teachers of color in our schools.”
“The need for more sustainable practices within Minnesota has existed for years. The time is now to invest in clean energy and to prioritize the creation of clean jobs so that we are able to support working Minnesotans as we transition away from nonrenewable resources,” said Senator Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis). “Minnesotans deserve clean and healthy communities no matter their race or income level. The Senate DFL will advocate for bold and urgent action to be taken in the name of progress to combat the effects of climate change and make Minnesota a leader in environmental justice.”
“This past year our nation’s electoral system was tested in unprecedented ways. That system held true, and despite COVID-19 and horrifying attacks on the freedom of our elections, Minnesotans have confidence that the 2020 election was free, fair, and secure,” said Senator Jim Carlson (DFL-Eagan). “But 2020 also made clear that we have work to do to give democracy back to the people, not special interest groups, and to expand voter access rather than suppressing it. Expanding mail-in balloting, extending early voting periods, and broadening pre-registration opportunities are widely supported proposals among local election officials from all parts of the state and are priorities that stand in stark contrast to rejected and punitive ideas put forward by Senate Republicans.”
“With so much division and partisanship within politics, we need a legislative agenda that supports Minnesotans, especially those who have been most directly affected by the pandemic. Now is the time to come together and support legislation that would create positive impacts on our communities throughout the state, instead we have seen the opposite,” said Assistant Leader Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato). “The Senate DFL is committed to improving the lives of Minnesotans, through presenting our priorities we will continue to advocate for working families, having a quality education for all, a clean environment, and the protection of Minnesota’s voting rights from restrictions that would disenfranchise so many of their right to vote.”
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