January 2025 - MCCD | Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers

Reflections on Senator Kari Dziedzic, a true affordable housing champion

As I start my eighth legislative session with MCCD, I can’t help but reflect on the lawmaker that is no longer with us, Senator Kari Dziedzic.

On the first day of the 2025 legislative session I sat in the Senate gallery listening to her colleagues share stories about her and did a fair amount of crying. It is clear that Senator Dziedzic was just as respected as I thought, by her colleagues from both parties. As Senate Dibble shared, “she was a giant in the Senate”, she was exactly that in so many ways. They shared her impact, but it went beyond her colleagues, advocates learned so much from her too, and I’m so thankful I was able to get to know her and work with her as an affordable housing advocate.

The first time I met Senator Dziedzic, I remember being both impressed and inspired. Even though I was new to the advocacy space in Minnesota she treated me with respect and let me know that if I ever had questions — about legislation, negotiations, processes — to ask. I had the pleasure of working on bills with her, including securing Housing Infrastructure Bonds to build and preserve deeply affordable housing across all of Minnesota. I remember meetings to discuss strategy, phone calls to get and give updates, and celebrating on the last night of the session with hugs when the bill passed.

It is clear to me that Senator Dziedzic wanted everyone around her to succeed, lifting up new lawmakers like Senator Zaynab Mohamed, building a friendship with Senator Housley, working to find compromise with her Republican colleagues, and supporting and cheering on Senator Port in taking a leadership role of the Senate Housing Committee. But she also supported so many of us as advocates, she has left a lasting impression on me and for that I am so thankful. I told her mom and sister we would all carry Senator Dziedzic’s legacy forward and that the work we do this legislative session, and every future session will continue to have her mark on it through all of us.

So, Senator Dziedzic, thank you. Thank you for being the OG Affordable Housing Champion in the Senate. Thank you for being a guiding voice to the legislature, and lifting up affordable housing so it got the attention it deserved. Thank you for seeing advocates as partners, and for being a mentor, to me and so many others. I will miss you greatly.

Senator Dziedzic passed away on December 27, 2024, after a tough battle with cancer. The Minnesota Senate is holding a special election to fill her seat on January 28, 2025. You can read more about her legacy here.

Author

Kari Johnson

Posted on

January 13, 2025

Policy & Advocacy

MCCD Policy & Advocacy Training Expands to Greater Minnesota!

While the work of the Minnesota legislature impacts everyone, advocating at the State Capitol can feel intimidating. But input from local leaders in nonprofit affordable housing and small business development is essential to securing policies that advance racial and economic justice statewide.

That’s why, every year, MCCD hosts a Policy and Advocacy Training to invite, inform and inspire more people to get involved in the advocacy process.

When I started at MCCD, there were no resources to help new advocates prepare to testify and feel comfortable delivering their expertise to lawmakers. So, based on the lessons learned by our policy staff, MCCD decided to put on a one-of-a-kind policy and advocacy training that helps participants navigate the Capitol. Our annual training gives attendees a chance to hear from legislative leaders, take a “behind the scenes” tour, and practice testifying in an actual hearing environment.

This year we held our third annual training at the Capitol in advance of the 2025 legislative session and, as MCCD officially expands our policy and membership work statewide, we took our training on the road to Bemidji and Mankato!

We know how hard it can be to participate in the advocacy process in the middle of winter when you live more than three hours away. But as the legislature provides more options for people to watch or testify in hearings over Zoom, we wanted to help our peers and partners feel just as connected to the process without having to physically be at the Capitol all the time.

Between the three trainings we had more than 60 participants and just like in past years, we received tremendous feedback.

“It was educational and helpful to hear from lawmakers and the testimony practice was a great way to get my ideas on print and practice with feedback.” – Bemidji Training Participant

“This was so useful to be able to visit the places I may end up at in the future! It was such an eye-opening experience. To be able to network with like-minded people is always so valuable. ” – Capitol Training Participant

“The content and delivery of this session were fantastic. I loved that there was no slideshow, just the handout, opportunity to practice, and support each other.” – Mankato Training Participant

In fact, 86% of participants who filled out our survey said the training was better than they expected.

Want to stay updated on our advocacy efforts? Sign up for our e-news or get in touch with us directly:

Kari Johnson, Director of State Policy: kjohnson@mccdmn.org

Kelly Law, Policy and Field Building Advisor: klaw@mccdmn.org

You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and BlueSky for more updates.

Thank you to our partners in Greater Minnesota for helping to Co-Host the Mankato and Bemidji trainings, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership in Mankato and Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji, we could not have done these trainings without you!

And, thank you to our generous sponsors who made these trainings possible:

Photos by Queerly Beloved Co. LLC