Here’s the letter Minnesota political officials signed in support of Build Back Better.
See the list of signers
Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McCarthy, and Minority Leader McConnell:
We, the undersigned state and local officials, are asking Congress to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help our communities recover by creating and sustaining millions of good paying jobs, putting us on the path to 100% clean energy and building a more equitable and just society.
We applaud President Biden and Congress for passing COVID relief, including desperately needed state and local government funding and expanded vaccinations. The American Rescue Plan was a vital first step but as state and local leaders we know the everyday reality facing our communities. There is still much more to be done to deliver the recovery our communities need and deserve, while tackling the interconnected crises of climate change, economic inequality, and racial injustice.
The country needs a large scale jobs and recovery package to put millions back to work. We can make transformative investments in sustainable infrastructure and buildings, clean energy, and clean manufacturing to reduce pollution, address environmental injustice, and prepare for the threats of climate change.
Clean energy is the fastest-growing industry in America. It can revitalize domestic manufacturing and expand high-quality union jobs to help rebuild the middle class. Now is the time for bold leadership and urgent action. That is why we are calling on you to swiftly pass an economic recovery package with investments at the scale and scope necessary to address the compounding challenges we face. This package should:
Put the US on the path to 100% clean energy powering everything from our electricity grid, transportation, and buildings with reliable, affordable clean energy.
Promote equity by ensuring at least 40% of benefits go to the communities who need it most, prioritizing just and equitable solutions being led by low income and communities of color most harmed by toxic pollution and climate change.
Incentivize high-quality, good paying union jobs, especially in the domestic clean energy and manufacturing sectors, while supporting communities historically reliant on oil, gas, and coal jobs.
Our communities have already seen the high price of pollution and climate change. From higher rates of asthma and upper respiratory disease to flooding and deadly wildfires, we know first-hand the cost of inaction. By investing in a clean energy future we can build an economy that puts every community back to work. COVID-19 showed us what can happen when science and health experts are ignored. We know we cannot make the same mistake on climate change. We have a moral responsibility to ourselves, our children, and future generations not to let this moment pass.
State and local communities have led the way on clean energy, setting a standard for the nation. We look forward to a new era of state-federal partnership that supports an equitable recovery package, puts the country on the path to 100% clean energy, and creates millions of high quality, good paying union jobs.
Together we can meet this historic moment and ensure this recovery delivers on the promise to build back better.