A lot is at stake at the Minnesota Capitol this year. With a nearly $18 billion budget surplus, lawmakers have an opportunity to make real improvements for Minnesotans. Check out this list of legislative proposals that are on the table, and join us in supporting renters and small businesses throughout our state. Just a few minutes of your time can add critical support to building equity in Minnesota.
Equity In Place Agenda
What’s the goal? The agenda puts forth solutions to support and strengthen renter protections and power through:
Tenant right to organize
Pre-eviction notice and expungement reform
Source of income protection
Good Neighbor eviction exemption
Just Cause eviction protections
Right to Counsel in public housing
Curbing corporate speculation
Repealing the state-wide preemption on rent control
Why is this important? Right now renters don’t have the affirmative right to come together and organize against unfair or illegal practices in Minnesota.
Who is championing this legislation and who will this help? Equity in Place (EIP) is a coalition of organizations working to advance housing justice and equitable community development. PPNA is a member of EIP. The 2023 State Legislative Agenda aims to protect all Minnesota renters.
Where can I learn more? Read the full policy here.
Business Resource Collective 2023 Investment Package
What’s the goal? This agenda proposes a total investment of $543.5 million in Minnesota’s small business ecosystem. Funds will support corridor redevelopment, infrastructure, direct investment, and basic business support for small and minority businesses.
Why is this important? The Black, African, Latino, Asian and Native American economy constitutes a $1.4 trillion asset to the state of Minnesota. BUT racial disparities cost an estimated loss of $287 billion for BIPOC communities in MN, fueled by the income gap and racial entrepreneurship gap. And, despite state procurement goals for women and minority-owned businesses, only 2% of funding has gone to BIPOC businesses over the past 20 years.
Who is championing this legislation, and who will this help? The Business Resource Collective is a coalition of organizations that envision a Minnesota where thriving BIPOC-owned businesses build and sustain the culture, wealth, and economic vitality of our communities. PPNA is a member of the Business Resource Collective and supports the 2023 Investment Package. The package will support small and BIPOC-owned businesses throughout Minnesota.
Where can I learn more? Read the full 2023 Investment Package here.
How can I support? Contact your state legislators and ask them to support the Business Resources Collective investment package! Look up your legislator here.
Bring It Home, Minnesota
What’s the goal? To aid Minnesota renters by providing rental vouchers to renters with low incomes.
Why is this important? Over half a million Minnesotans are at risk of losing their homes on a monthly basis and 75% of folks who qualify for renter vouchers don’t get them due to underfunding. People of color are disproportionately represented in these statistics.
Who is championing this legislation and who will this help? 36 organizations came together to draft Bring It Home, MN. It’s positioned to help lower income renters throughout the state. Specifically, any household that earns less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and pays more than 30% of their income toward rent.
Where can I learn more? Find comprehensive information about Bring It Home, MN here.
How can I support? Get involved here.
Cultural Corridor Recovery
What’s the goal? Provide critical funding to small businesses and organizations along and near select commercial corridors. This includes HF 3028, in the House of Representatives, and SF 3035 in the State Senate. HF 3028 allocates $125 million for recovery and rebuilding efforts of commercial corridors most impacted by the 2020 civil uprising.
Why is this important? The Cultural Corridor Recovery would bring material resources into our communities seeking to take steps against longstanding, historic divestment, and institutional barriers.
Who is championing this legislation and who will this help? The Lake Street Council drafted the legislation and PPNA is proud to support it along with our partners in 38th Street United. The Cultural Corridor Recovery would bring material resources to the vibrant small business community in the Twin Cities!
Where can I learn more? Learn more here.
How can I support? Sign on here.