Democracy for the People Act: one of bills I've introduced

From the moment I was sworn in two months ago, I felt the weight and responsibility of taking office in a time of great uncertainty for our state and our country. A global pandemic has upended our lives and laid bare the deficiencies and inequities of our economy, healthcare system, and social safety net. We’ve seen our democracy tested in unimaginable ways, and there are challenges ahead. But we’ve come together to tackle big challenges before. I know that together, we can build a Minnesota where everyone thrives.
That starts with protecting and strengthening our democracy. As a voting rights lawyer, I’ve been on the frontlines of the fight for voting rights and seen disinformation and lies about voter fraud used to justify policies that disenfranchise voters, attack election officials, and cast doubt on election results. It’s a dangerous lie in a policy debate, and now we’ve seen it spark a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
This didn’t happen overnight, and there’s no quick fix to repair the damage. But the fact is that 3.3 million Minnesotans – from every region, race, generation, and political persuasion – turned out this year to make their voices heard. Our democracy worked. Now we need to work together to defend and strengthen Minnesota’s best traditions of voter participation and grassroots politics.
In January, I introduced the Democracy for the People Act, legislation that puts Minnesotans at the center of our democracy. My bill strengthens voting rights by prohibiting voter intimidation, expanding voter registration, restoring the right to vote to people on probation or parole, and ensuring everyone has the information and support they need to vote, in the language they need it. It increases transparency and disclosure of secret spending and reforms Minnesota’s campaign finance system to empower voters and small donors, reducing the influence of corporations and wealthy individuals. To make real progress on issues important to Minnesotans – including education, climate change, health care, economic justice, housing, and racial equity – we must build a stronger, more inclusive democracy. This will help make that vision a reality.
Voters sent us to the Minnesota Capitol to ensure everyone has a place to call home, food on the table, affordable health care, living-wage jobs, and a high-quality education. Meeting Minnesotans’ needs, during and after the pandemic, is a top priority. We’re working hard to help families, communities, and small businesses weather COVID-19 and thrive after it ends, with a focus on equity and ending the racial disparities that are holding Minnesota back.
To build a stronger, brighter future, we must lead with our values and invest in families, workers, and communities, starting with our kids. Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and the center of our communities. We’re fighting to invest in public schools, address unacceptable disparities in our education system, pass the Increase Teachers of Color and Indigenous Teachers Act, and provide more supportive services to students and their families.
We’re also working to ensure every Minnesotan has access to health care they can afford to use. I’m supporting legislation that expands access to high-quality health care, including a proposal that allows people to buy into MinnesotaCare, a proven program that provides coverage for low-income Minnesotans. This will help more people get the care they need and move us one step closer to a health care system that prioritizes people, not profits.
We must tackle the climate crisis and the impact it’s having on Minnesotans, with disproportionate effects on Indigenous communities and communities of color. We need to transition to clean energy and reduce carbon emissions in order to make Minnesota a healthy place to live for future generations. I’m proud to support ambitious plans to equitably transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2040 and build resilient, sustainable communities that can adapt as our climate changes.
There’s so much important work to do. Building a strong, inclusive democracy and economy starts by centering the experiences and needs of those impacted by our policy. We must ensure that Minnesotans – Black, Brown, White, and Indigenous – from every corner of our state have a voice in this process. Together, we are working for a brighter future where we invest in all of our kids, our communities, and our environment, for generations to come.
I believe together we can build power and create a Minnesota where everyone thrives. As your state representative, I will stand with you and work with you towards a brighter future for people in our community and across Minnesota. If you’d like to share your story or feedback, please feel free to contact me at rep.emma.greenman@house.mn or 651-296-4200. It’s an honor to serve South Minneapolis and eastern Richfield in the Minnesota House of Representatives.