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March brings with it a theme of renewal and growth, and in this month's newsletter, I am excited to explore how our community is blossoming in various ways.
Join me as I celebrate the resilience and vibrancy of Ramsey County District 4, and discover how together, we're cultivating a brighter future for all.
~Rena
County Board Workshops
Most weeks, our County Board meets to discuss specific policy issues and receive updates from County Departments and Service Teams in our Board Workshops.
Workshops and discussions are held on Tuesdays and are open to the public. These take place at the Saint Paul City Hall and Ramsey County Courthouse in Suite 220 (2nd floor). You can find the schedule for all upcoming board meetings, workshops, and discussions sessions below.
Recent workshops include: look up all of workshops and place here:
You can access video recordings of the meetings as well as the materials shared by clicking here.
You can watch upcoming workshops live by clicking here.
Despite the February forecast showing limited additional funds available, there is a lot of activity at the legislature this session. The House and Senate have already passed some laws, including a fix to the School Resource Officer (SRO) issue to provide clarity on the use of force standards and get SROs back into schools. The new law carves out SROs from recent regulations on holds and restraints of students. SROs still have to follow laws governing police conduct, including a ban on chokeholds except in narrow circumstances. In addition, the law requires SRO training on topics like de-escalation and responding to mental health crises.
Ramsey County has been working hard to pursue legislation on a variety of topics important to our constituents, including addressing homelessness, pursuing economic development, and addressing climate change. Earlier this month I testified in support of our bill to allow elderly, disabled, and homeless individuals to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot prepared foods at grocery and convenience stores. Everyone deserves to have the ability to have a hot meal, even when they can’t prepare it themselves. The bill (HF 3855/SF 4135) has had a hearing in both the House and the Senate and is awaiting possible inclusion in an omnibus spending bill.
Ramsey County is also supporting legislation put forward by Representative Samakab Hussein (HF 2828) that would allow cities and counties to ban dangerous weapons in their buildings and property. Private businesses are currently able to prohibit weapons by posting signs and we believe public facilities should have the same opportunity to determine, with input from their community, what is best for their libraries, parks, and other facilities. The bill had a positive hearing in the House Public Safety committee and is awaiting possible inclusion in an omnibus bill.
JoAnn Clark’s mission is to introduce Minnesota students of color to historically Black colleges and universities.
Once the students – more than 1,000 since 2004 – tour HBCUs, Clark’s work is practically done, she said.
“It’s the window-and-mirror effect,” she said. “Once they can picture themselves on campus, once they can see themselves there, they’ll do whatever it takes to get there.”
Complete story in below link;
https://www.twincities.com/2024/02/15/joann-clark-auditorium-harding-high-school-st-paul/
In recognition of Black History Month I was invited to share my journey and history in government. During my visit to the senior living facility, I engaged with residents to understand their concerns and emphasized the importance and value of their voices in the electoral process. Encouraging them to continue exercising their civic duty, and the impact of their voices in shaping policies that affect their lives. I applauded their willingness to share their perspectives, fostering a sense of empowerment and community involvement.
I would like to thank Marty Franklin for the invitation to come!
Asian Economic Development Association's (AEDA) is launching the new Your Business, Your Money learn & earn program. This program, supported by Ramsey County and Saint Paul’s ARPA resources, will support up to 45 young adults, ages 18-30, over the next two years.
The program will provide business training, financial education, digital literacy, life skills education and technical assistance to artists, makers and entrepreneurs in Ramsey County. Program participants will earn a $1000 stipend and have the opportunity to apply for start-up funds.
During my visit to Recovery Café, the sole establishment of its kind in Minnesota, I was struck by the profound impact of its commitment to fostering recovery communities. Engaging with members and staff, I witnessed firsthand the supportive environment they have cultivated for individuals on their journey to recovery from addiction and mental health challenges.
The café serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity, offering resources, connections, and a sense of belonging to those seeking healing and transformation. It was evident that Recovery Café plays a pivotal role in empowering individuals to reclaim their lives and thrive in sobriety.
Recovery Café - Frogtown website: https://recoverycafefrogtown.org/
Address: 499 Charles Ave, St Paul, MN 55103
During my meeting with Penumbra Theatre leadership, we discussed the crucial renovations and enhancements needed to improve programming at the historic community theatre. It was heartening to see county, city and state collaborating enthusiastically to support this vital project. The dedication to preserving the theatre's legacy while enhancing its offerings for the community was evident, along with a shared commitment to cultural enrichment and artistic excellence.
I left the meeting feeling encouraged by the collective effort and determination to ensure the theatre's continued impact and relevance for future generations.
The Unsheltered Summit hosted by Ecolab and Catholic Charities exemplified a commendable collaboration between government, businesses, and the community to address the needs of the unsheltered population in our downtown and county. Through open dialogue and innovative brainstorming sessions, stakeholders came together to develop holistic solutions and improve opportunities for those experiencing homelessness.
The summit showcased the power of collective action in tackling complex social challenges, highlighting the importance of multi-sector partnerships in fostering positive change and creating a more inclusive and compassionate society. Also, the summit highlighted the need for businesses to keep business thriving and identifying ways they can contribute to bringing stability.
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  County Commissioner Rena Moran, District 4 and Councilwoman Anika Bowie, Ward 1 are teaming up to host an informational session on the MN Promise Act.
The Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs (PROMISE) Act is a new small business revitalization program that will provide grants and loans to disadvantaged businesses located in certain areas of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and greater-Minnesota.
To read the PROMISE Act bill in its entirety click here.
Helping disadvantaged businesses reach their full potential.
Attend the upcoming Information Session regarding the MN Promise Act. The session will be held at the Rondo Library, on April 5th from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Again, here is the event location information:
Location: Rondo Community Library Space: Rondo Multipurpose Room Date: Friday, April 5, 2024 Time: 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Come join us to ask questions and learn firsthand how to apply for the program!!
Below is link for additional information and details to apply;
https://mnpromiseact.org/
Dates and Time for the 2024 Plant Sale at the Ramsey County Correctional Facility
The sales dates for this season are as follows:
April 25 – 28
May 2-5
May 9-12
May 16-19
May 23, 24 (off 25,26,27 for Memorial Day)
May 30,31 June 1,2
June 5,6,7 (if needed)
Hours:
Thursdays – 8-4
Fridays – 8-6
Saturdays 8-3
Sundays 9-3
Woman Makes History as First Ever Black Female Captain in St. Paul Minnesota Fire Dept History - Brittney Baker
Nationwide — Brittney Baker, who was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, has made history as the first African American woman to achieve the rank of captain in the St. Paul Fire Department, marking a significant milestone in the department since 1855.
Baker didn’t set out to break records. For her, it was about achieving a personal goal.“It wasn’t necessarily to be the first that was so big for me, it was like, ‘OK, I accomplished the goal that I had,'” Baker told KARE11. Baker originally aspired to be a pediatric oncologist after her sister’s battle with cancer.
However, her journey took a different turn after attending the EMS academy. Since 2012, she’s been part of the EMS academy, where she now teaches. Stepping into the spotlight as the first Black female captain, Baker acknowledges the unfamiliarity but understands the impact she can have as a role model.
Read complete article at below link;
https://blacknews.com/news/brittney-baker-first-black-female-captain-st-paul-minnesota-fire-dept/
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