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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The last week has been a truly difficult time in the Twin Cities and our nation as peaceful protests were disrupted by anarchy, arson and looting. I am grateful that Gov. Walz fully mobilized the National Guard, which finally brought the situation under control while allowing peaceful protests to continue. With the service for Mr. Floyd yesterday and the outpouring of support from all over Minnesota to provide needed supplies for the affected communities and help with clean-up efforts, I hope we can begin to heal and move forward as the process to seek justice and accountability for Mr. Floyd’s death continues.
The incredible amount of damage sustained to areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul truly have left many areas of both cities with no grocery stores or pharmacies to get basic necessities for daily life. If you want to donate or volunteer, here are some good options:
We can support Lake Street and Northside businesses with a donation.
There are also a number of drop-off locations and times:
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Santuary Covenant Church (North Side) - 710 W. Broadway Avenue; I volunteered there with my family last weekend and they do a great job!
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Berean Missionary Baptist Church (704 30th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411. Drop-offs can be made after 5PM on weekdays, and pretty much any time on Saturday.
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Blaisdell YMCA (3335 Blaisdell Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408) is accepting donations from 8:30am-4PM Monday through Friday.
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Executive Summary
- Governor Walz Announces Phase 3 Reopening
- Tour of Minneapolis & St. Paul Affected Areas
- Thank you to the Minnesota National Guard!
- Congrats Class of 2020!
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Phase 3 Re-Opening
Today, the governor announced Phase 3 of reopening the economy, which will begin June 10th. This means that indoor dining will be open at 50% capacity, with safety measures like masks and social distancing. Salons and personal services will increase to 50% capacity as well, with all the same safety measures they are currently using.
New openings will include pools opening at 50% capacity, fitness centers and theaters at 25% capacity up to 250 people, and churches at 50% capacity or up to 250 people. Additionally, Phase 3 includes social gatherings of 25 people or less. More information on these new guidelines can be found here.
While this is another step in the right direction, I continue to be frustrated by the one-size-fits-all decision-making. Many communities and counties in our state have had few, if any, COVID cases and these restrictions continue to harm cities, businesses and employees while not addressing the areas with high concentrations of cases - long-term care facilities and concentrated work environments like meat-packing facilities. Instead of keeping businesses closed or severely reduced, we need to focus our efforts on testing and protecting our nursing homes and long-term care facilities while we begin the process of rebuilding our economy.
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Tour of Minneapolis & St. Paul Affected Areas
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to see areas devastated by arson & looting over the past week. It was sobering to hear from local residents and businesses owners about how valiantly they fought to protect their neighborhoods and stores. They are strong entrepreneurs who have invested everything in their businesses and are committed to rebuilding!
Many risked their lives to save their homes and businesses. During the first three or four nights, no one responded to their calls for help. In this extraordinary circumstance, local people organized neighborhood patrols, including look-outs on roofs, volunteer fire brigades (with water buckets, hoses and fire-extinguishers), and used bats and guns to defend their property from looters, people throwing bricks and arsonists. They should be credited for their bravery, for standing up against lawlessness and for preventing significantly great loss of life and property.
I want to thank my DFL colleagues who represent the area who took us on the tour and introduced us to the local business owners and residents. It was an important opportunity to listen and learn.
Thank you to the Minnesota National Guard!
I was also grateful to be able to thank members of the Minnesota National Guard, who turned the tide against anarchy and continue to guard local businesses, the peaceful protesters, and the State Capitol. I met men & women from all over MN who dropped everything to serve. Some were seasoned veterans and for others, this was their first deployment. ALL of them were glad they had been called up and that they were able to play such an important role in restoring peace. We are all tremendously grateful for your service!
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Congrats to Our Graduates!
I want to give a special shout-out to our high school seniors this week. They have graduated in historic times and this unique senior year will help them shape how their generation learns, communicates and works for years to come. Linked here is a congratulatory letter I submitted to them in our local paper. Read it here
Congratulations again to the Class of 2020!
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Please Contact Me
Many of you have already been in touch to discuss your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you. Thank you for sharing your ideas! Please continue to contact me to discuss any matters to which I can be of assistance. My office phone number is 651-296-7806 or by email at rep.kristin.robbins@house.mn. My office is located on the second floor of the State Office Building in room 225.
Have a great weekend!
Kristin
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225 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55155
ph: 651.296.7806 |
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