By Andrea Ferstan, Vice President of Systems Innovation
Policy is a powerful tool for justice. Policy drives regional, state, and federal investments that impact communities and the economy. When racial equity is not intentionally considered in policy, racial inequality is often the result. Today, many racially inequitable impacts are produced inadvertently, through processes and choices that may not even explicitly address race, may appear race neutral, or may even be offered to address racial disparities.
In collaboration with Voices for Racial Justice and the Racial Equity & Joy Coalition, we need your partnership right now to ensure that future policies reflect and ensure racial equity and inclusion before passed into law. Racial Equity Impact Notes are how we get there. Racial Equity Impact Notes will ensure consistent analysis through use of a set of guiding questions to determine if existing and proposed policies and investments will increase or decrease disparities and advance economic inclusion.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY
Contact the following key leaders today to support HF 1952-3 (pp. 57-59), proposed legislation in the House State Government Finance and Elections Omnibus bill. This bill establishes the Racial Equity Impact Assessment Working Group, which will develop recommendations for the preparation of a Racial Equity Impact Note for proposed legislation.
Key Leaders to Contact TODAY
MN Governor Tim Walz and MN Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flannigan
Send emails in care of the Governor and Lt. Governor to Brandon Hirsch at brandon.hirsch01@state.mn.us
Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent at Sen.susan.kent@senate.mn
House Speaker Melissa Hortman at Rep.melissa.hortman@house.mn
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler at Rep.ryan.winkler@house.mn
The timing to pass this legislation is critical. Soon, Minnesota will receive $2.58B from the American Rescue Plan Act, unprecedented federal resources coming into the state, counties, and cities. It is an economic and moral imperative that we adopt a racial equity framework before these dollars arrive and decisions are made about how to invest them.
A Racial Equity Impact Assessment will bake equity into laws before passage to ensure delivery of an equitable and inclusive economy. This will not only stimulate economic growth, but also shared and equitable prosperity through investment in Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian workers and business owners.
McKinsey reports that closing racial wealth gaps could lead to 4-6% GDP growth by 2028. This is our opportunity for intentional, proportionate actions and investments.
Want to learn more about how we are driving inclusive and equitable investments of the federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars? Watch our last Reckoning to Rise Together forum featuring Alan Berube (Deputy Director, Brookings Metro), Willie Barney (CEO, African American Empowerment Network), and Heather Worthington (Principal, Worthington Advisors, LLC).