Today, Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota, Minnesota’s infrastructure union, released the following statement regarding special session.
“This special session is a critical opportunity to secure dignity, fairness, prosperity and freedom for all of our neighbors, regardless of our race and class. Minnesota must be a state where everyone can truly thrive.
“We urge all state lawmakers to support a robust infrastructure bill that meets our communities’ growing needs, including rebuilding neighborhoods affected by civil unrest, and to take prompt and bold action on criminal justice reform as advocated by Minnesota’s People of Color and Indigenous Legislators.
“The amount of rebuilding we have to do is unprecedented. Unjust systems must be examined and reformed — especially for the livelihood of our black and brown neighbors. Our community infrastructure must be rebuilt. Laborers stand ready to answer the call to help our neighbors and businesses pick up the pieces to build a better Minnesota for future generations.
“Now is the time for our state leaders to roll up their sleeves and deliver solutions that will lift up all Minnesotans.”
