Governor Walz’s budget makes a significant investment in MDHR’s ability to reduce discrimination statewide

ST. PAUL, MN Gov. Tim Walz announced his budget that makes a significant investment in the Minnesota Department of Human Rights’ work to create a strong, thriving Minnesota by ending discrimination.

“Discrimination continues to rise for communities of color, indigenous community members, immigrant communities, people with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community members,” MDHR Commissioner Rebecca Lucero said. “We can and must do better.”

For over 50 years, the Minnesota Department of Human Rights has stood for the proposition that everyone deserves to be healthy, safe, valued, and nurtured.

“We must ensure communities across Minnesota aren’t just surviving, they are thriving,” Governor Walz said. “Whether in Greater Minnesota or the urban core, communities of color and Native American communities in our state face unacceptable racial disparities. Our budget takes meaningful action to address these disparities and ensure every Minnesotan has the opportunity to build a better life for their family. We are proposing a transformational path for the Department of Human Rights.”

Governor Walz’s proposed budget would allow MDHR to expand its work and create a path to One Minnesota by:

• Opening new regional offices in Bemidji, Duluth, Rochester, and Worthington, while adding capacity to the Department’s existing St. Cloud office.

• Enhancing civic engagement work and creating a micro-grant program for local communities.

• Increasing housing and employment opportunities for community members with criminal records so they can participate fully in society.

“I am proud of our One Minnesota budget and the opportunity to make a transformational path to promote diversity, inclusion, and racial equity in every corner of the state,” Lt. Governor Flanagan said.

“This budget allows Minnesotans to work together to be the catalyst for transformational change through partnership with local communities,” Lucero said. “Minnesota will thrive as a state with this comprehensive approach that ensures meaningful opportunities for all.”

MDHR’s budget provides an opportunity to create meaningful change through education, engagement, and enforcement statewide with a significant new investment of $2.025 million in fiscal year 2020 and $2.175 million in fiscal year 2021.

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