DFL Legislators Ask For GOP Support To Rebuild After Civil Unrest

By Ricardo Lopez, Minnesota Reformer

March 4, 2021

A bevy of DFL lawmakers stood in front of the rubble of a Lake Street furniture store on Thursday calling on Senate Republicans to support a $300 million proposal to rebuild Twin Cities businesses destroyed or damaged by last summer’s civil unrest.

State Rep. Mohamud Noor, DFL-Minneapolis, said Democratic-Farmer-Labor legislators are renewing their push to provide state aid to Minneapolis and St. Paul businesses.

“We made a promise and a commitment that we will never, ever walk away from supporting the small businesses impacted by the civil unrest,” Noor said. “Today, we reaffirm that commitment that we’re going to be standing strong to support those businesses that have been impacted.”

Since last summer, House DFL lawmakers have been stymied by their Senate GOP counterparts who have opposed state aid for rebuilding, criticizing it as a “bailout.”

In recent months, Minneapolis has become city non grata among Republicans in the Minnesota Senate and House, who argue they won’t give money to Minneapolis to rebuild while the city is also considering dismantling its police department and creating a new public safety agency.

The attacks on Minneapolis have carried over to the debate on state support for law enforcement costs during the upcoming trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, accused of murdering George Floyd. They said the Minneapolis City Council’s efforts to “defund” the police have consequences.

Noor and other DFL legislators on Thursday hit back, pointing out that Minneapolis pays far more in taxes to the state than it receives in aids and credits, referencing a recent report by the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“This is not a bailout,” Noor said of the proposal.

Abe Demaag, co-owner of Chicago Furniture Warehouse, joined lawmakers who stood steps from his former business. Demaag said the insurance payout for his business covered only a portion of what is needed to clear the remaining debris, rebuild the store and replace its furniture inventory.

“We started this business but the last year was unexpected because of the civil unrest,” he said. “We completely lost everything we have dreamed of, what we worked for.”

State Rep. Fue Lee, DFL-Minneapolis, said the $300 million proposed by the House DFL caucus would not cover the entirety of the financial need to rebuild all the businesses destroyed or damaged last summer.

Of the $300 million, about $200 million would go to Minneapolis and the remainder to St. Paul, which also saw widespread looting and arson along University Avenue.

Gov. Tim Walz, meanwhile, has proposed $150 million in his budget to be issued in the form of bonds.

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