Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 28, 2019

Neighbors,
I hope you're able to spend some time with family and friends this week in between football games and Thanksgiving cooking! I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the honor of serving our Eastside community at the Capitol. I'm grateful each and every day for your trust in me to bring your voices to our state government. 
Here's a quick update:
Funding for the Kellogg BridgeThe House DFL just finished a tour of local infrastructure and public works projects around the state, which they will use to put together what's called a "Bonding Bill" to help local communities fund projects supporting clean drinking water, affordable housing, and public safety. When the Capital Investment Committee visited St. Paul, I used the opportunity to show how desperately the Kellogg Bridge needs investment. For years, lawmakers have put off funding to repair the bridge, which is partially closed because of structural deficiencies. It's time to make the investments our community requires. 
I am also planning a tour of the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary with Legacy Chair Leon Lillie to discuss funding for the Wakan Tipi Center in partnership with the Lower Phalen Creek Project. 


After School ProgramsLast week, I visited the American Indian Magnet School to learn more about its after school activities. These programs are incredibly important to help students receive support and complement their education with reading, arts, and physical activity.  We need to fund programs like St. Paul Public Schools' FlipSide to improve student developmental skills and academic performances. Thank you Zong Vang from Ignite for coordinating this conversation.


New American LeadersAll of Minnesota's communities deserve to be represented in our government - our Democracy works best when it reflects the people of our state and our country. I recently had the opportunity to join New American Leaders, a nonpartisan organization focused on bringing new Americans into the political process. It's not every day you get to hear from Stacy Abrams herself! 





Climate and HousingOur House Climate Caucus recently held a conversation with experts and stakeholders on climate and housing -- our conversation focused on new opportunities for homeowners and renters to conserve energy, making homes as energy efficient as possible by updating existing buildings, and in supporting affordable housing. Don't miss our next meeting, focused on public health. Find more information here. 


People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus UpdateMy POCI caucus colleagues and I recently sat down and set our legislative agenda for next session - more details to come! 


I hope you have a great holiday and if you're doing any holiday shopping, remember to shop local, and shop small! 
Sincerely,
Rep. Jay Xiong

Wednesday, November 13, 2019
SAINT PAUL, Minnesota – Today the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the future of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that protects nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants known as “Dreamers” from deportation and allows them to remain in the U.S., work, contribute, and pay taxes. Figures show that more than 90% of DACA recipients have a job and nearly half are in school. As of August 2018, 5,670 Minnesotans have received DACA status, although 9,000 meet the criteria to apply for the program, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
“We, as Minnesota State Legislators, urge the U.S. Supreme Court to make the right decision allowing these individuals to continue building a life in the United States, often the only home they have known,” said Senator Melisa Franzen, DFL-Edina, on behalf of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus. “Why would these young people who simply want to continue living in the country that they were raised in, not be allowed to stay when it’s the only home they have ever known.”
“As the author of the Minnesota Dream Act and a longtime supporter of Dreamers, I strongly object to the federal government going back on a promise made to these enterprising young Minnesotans that they could study, live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation,” added Senator Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul. “Promises should be kept!”
Minnesota-based businesses, such as Best Buy, Target, Ecolab, Cargill, UnitedHealth Group and C.H. Robinson, have spoken out in support of Dreamers. They are amongst several American companies that signed on to an amicus curiae brief filed earlier this year urging the Court to protect Dreamers and the DACA program. The brief strongly criticizes the actions taken by President Trump to end DACA and includes estimates for the economic impact of residents brought into the country as children.
The POCI Caucus stated, “We agree with these companies as there is strong evidence that Dreamers in our state contribute to our overall economy by working, receiving higher education, and joining the military. They have a right to live and work in our state and continue being a part of our community. Their home is here.”
The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Mary Kunesh-Podein (41B), Fue Lee (59A), Alice Mann (56B), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), Samantha Vang (40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Sens. Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Jeff Hayden (62), Bobby Joe Champion (59), and Patricia Torres-Ray (63). 
In addition to the POCI Caucus, Sens. Ann Rest (45), Chris Eaton (40), Kari Dziedzic (60), and Sandy Pappas (65) support the POCI Caucus’s message to the United States Supreme Court.