Title
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the city of Duluth’s supports the following additional legislative initiatives for the 2020 legislative session:
(1) Funding for housing projects as proposed by the Homes For All Coalition which calls for general obligation bonds for public housing rehabilitation and housing appropriations bonds for construction of affordable housing;
(2) St. Louis County’s request for state bond proceeds to make improvements to the Depot building which houses the St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center;
(3) Funding for planning dollars to implement improvements at the Lake Superior Zoo;
(4) State general obligation bond proceeds for Port Development Assistance;
(5) Western Lake Superior Sanitary District’s request for state matching funds to support efforts to use gas generated at the wastewater treatment plant to generate electricity;
(6) State bond proceeds for the Northern Lights Express Passenger Rail project to leverage Federal Railroad Administration Funding to continue work to provide passenger rail service between Duluth and the Twin Cities;
(7) Tax-incentive legislation to support and stimulate TV and film production in Minnesota;
(8) A statewide policy of requiring employers to provide safe and sick time and paid family leave to employees;
(9) A statewide ban on conversion therapy;
(10) Efforts to end the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women
(11) Efforts to increase the penalties for assaulting code enforcement officers in Minnesota:
(12) St. Louis County’s request for funding for the Clarity Center for Wellbeing:
(13) A statewide ballot initiative to amend Article I, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution to remove reference to slavery and involuntary servitude ; and
(14) State recognition of the 100-year remembrance of the lynching commemorated by the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial.; and
(15) Funding for the re-configuration of the Verso plant in Duluth through the Minnesota department of employment and economic development.
(16) Legislation establishing a state program to assist local communities, such as Duluth’s Park Point, with resources to address infrastructure and property damage caused by erosion and high water levels in the Great Lakes, St. Louis River and other waterways due to extreme weather events and climate change.
(17) Legislation establishing the Minnesota Tax Credit Contribution Fund for Affordable Housing, a program that is capitalized by taxpayer contributions and promotes community and economic development to provide affordable housing.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The city of Duluth has a vested interest in promoting policies, funding, and issues that advance the overarching goals of the city and the state of Minnesota. These priorities have an audience beyond our city borders. Demonstrating city alignment can benefit both the city and the region in ways that are critical to the health, welfare, durability and economy of Duluth.