An activist group has given the Minnesota Legislature an “F” on its efforts to reduce racial disparities during the 2015 and 2106 legislative sessions. The group Voices for Racial Justice says out of 58 racial equity bills introduced, 27 passed. Felipe Illescas with Mesa Latina points to lawmakers’ failure to pass a REAL ID bill, including access to drivers licenses regardless of immigration status. Illescas says, “We’re tired of political parties using our communities and our priorities for political gain.”
Activists won’t say which political party is more responsible, but of lawmakers receiving recognition from the group, only 10 percent are Republicans. Those are: Rochester Senator Dave Senjem, Mountain Lake Representative Rod Hamilton and former state Senator Branden Petersen. The late State Representative David Dill, a Democrat, is also on the list.