Matt Entenza has a long history of advocating for equal rights for all Minnesotans. As governor, he has pledged to continue that drive, with a governor's office that looks like and represents all the people of the state of Minnesota.
GLBT Community
- Co-authored the first Minnesota bill for marriage equality. In 1998, because he believes it's wrong for the government to say some adults can have rights and some cannot, Entenza introduced a bill on the floor of the House that would have redefined the legal definition of marriage to explicitly include two persons of the same gender.
- Opposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. In 2004 and 2005, Entenza was a vocal critic of efforts to amend Minnesota's constitution to exclude gays and lesbians from the legal definition of marriage.
- Supported domestic partner benefits for state employees. In 2001, Entenza supported providing domestic partner benefits to gay and lesbian employees of state departments and agencies. He opposed efforts by Republicans to exclude such partnership benefits from a union contract then under negotiation.
- Authored legislation on hate crimes. Entenza co-authored a bill to increase the penalties faced by those convicted of a crime based on sexual orientation.
- Endorsed by Stonewall Caucus in every election. Since his first State House race in 1994, Entenza has been endorsed by the Stonewall DFL caucus every time he has run for office and is seeking their support again in 2010.
Watch Matt's video, "Pride."
Somali Community
- Carried legislation for the Councils of Color. As a freshman legislator, in 1995 and 1996, Entenza authored a bill to save the funding for the Black Minnesotans Council.
- Carried legislation to end housing discrimination. Authored legislation to eliminate housing discrimination
across Minnesota. His legislation helped both home buyers and renters. - Authored legislation for employment assistance. Authored legislation to help new and emerging Minnesota communities find employment.
- Served on the board of the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership. Entenza served on the commission whose chief intent is to help young people from communities of color go to college.
- Authored legislation to diversify Minnesota's teachers. Entenza carried legislation that helped people in
mid-career become teachers, increasing the number of teachers of color. This funding was later eliminated by Governor Tim Pawlenty. - Fought for increased funding for ESL. Worked to get increased funding for school districts with large populations of children whose first language wasn't English.
- Protected human rights. In 1997 Entenza was the chief author of a bill to determine the effectiveness of the Human Rights Act to ensure that discrimination based on race was being reduced and the Act was working.
- Chief-authored the "Adult Basic Education Act." This act was passed to increase adult literacy across Minnesota. Before the act passed, there were long waits for adults trying to become literate in English. This act eliminated those waits for people across the state. This funding was later eliminated by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
- Authored legislation on hate crimes. Entenza co-authored a bill to increase the penalties faced by those convicted of a crime based on race or religion.
- A governor's office that reflects Minnesota's diversity. Matt Entenza pledges to have a governor's office that looks like and represents all the people of the state of Minnesota.
- Creating a welcoming environment. As governor, Entenza will create an environment that welcomes diversity and recognizes that most the vast majority of Minnesotans came here from other places.
- Strengthening relationships. Under Matt Entenza the governor's office will work with and strengthen the relationships with the Councils of Color.
Latino Community
- Carried legislation to save the Councils of Color. As a freshman legislator, 1995 and 1996, Entenza authored a bill to save the funding for the Spanish Speaking Affairs Council (later renamed the council on affairs of Chicano Latino people).
- Carried legislation for the Chicano-Latino Council. Authored legislation to eliminate housing discrimination across Minnesota. His legislation helped both home buyers and renters.
- Served on the Commission for Chicano-Latino Council. Entenza served on the Chicano-Latino Council to help screen candidates for a new director, helping shape the direction and priorities that the council would take.
Authored legislation for employment assistance. Authored legislation to help members of new and emerging Minnesota communities find employment. - Served on the board of the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership. Entenza served on the commission whose chief intent is to help young people from communities of color go to college.
- Authored legislation to diversify Minnesota's teachers. Entenza carried legislation that helped people in mid-career become teachers, increasing the number of teachers of color. This funding was later eliminated by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
- Fought for increased funding for ESL. Worked to get increased funding for school districts with large populations of children whose first language wasn't English.
- Protecting human rights. In 1997 Entenza was the chief author of a bill to determine the effectiveness of the Human Rights Act to ensure that discrimination based on race was being reduced and the Act was working.
- Chief author of the "Adult Basic Education Act." This act was passed to increase adult literacy across Minnesota. Before the act of passed, there were long waits for adults trying to become literate in English. This act eliminated those waits for people across the state. This funding was later eliminated by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
- Authored legislation on hate crimes. Entenza co-authored a bill to increase the penalties faced by those convicted of a crime based on race or religion.
- A governor's office that reflects Minnesota's diversity. Matt Entenza pledges to have a governor's office that looks like and represents all the people of the state of Minnesota.
- Creating a welcoming environment. As governor, Entenza will create an environment that welcomes diversity and recognizes that most the vast majority of Minnesotans came here from other places.
- Strengthening relationships. Under Matt Entenza, the governor's office will work with and strengthen the relationships with the Councils of Color.
Hmong Communtiy
- Carried legislation for the Councils of Color. As a freshman legislator, in 1995 and 1996, Entenza authored a bill to save the funding for the Asian-Pacific Minnesotans Council.
- Authored legislation for employment assistance. Authored legislation to help new and emerging Minnesota communities find employment.
- Served on the board of the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership. Entenza served on the commission whose chief intent is to help young people from communities of color go to college
- Authored legislation to diversify Minnesota's teachers. Entenza carried legislation to help Hmong people already working in Minnesota schools get bachelor's degrees and teaching certificates. This program was later eliminated by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
- Fought for increased funding for ESL. Worked to get increased funding for school districts with large populations of children whose first language wasn't English.
- Protecting human rights. In 1997 Entenza was the chief author of a bill to determine the effectiveness of the Human Rights Act to ensure that discrimination based on race was being reduced and the Act was working.
- Chief author of the "Adult Basic Education Act." This act was passed to increase adult literacy across Minnesota. Before the act passed there were long waits for adults trying to become literate in English. This act eliminated those waits for people across the state. This funding was later eliminated by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
- Authored legislation on hate crimes. Entenza co-authored a bill to increase the penalties faced by those convicted of a crime based on race or religion.
- Believes Hmong veterans should have benefits. "I believe Hmong veterans should have the same benefits American veterans have. They heeded our nation's call and sacrificed greatly. It's unacceptable that they have anything less." - Matt Entenza
- A governor's office that reflects Minnesota's diversity. Matt Entenza pledges to have a governor's office that looks like and represents all the people of the state of Minnesota.
- Creating a welcoming environment. As governor, Entenza will create an environment that welcomes diversity and recognizes that the vast majority of Minnesotans came here from other places.
- Strengthening relationships. Under Matt Entenza, the governor's office will work with and strengthen the relationships with the Councils of Color.
- Carried legislation to end housing discrimination. Authored legislation to eliminate housing discrimination across Minnesota. His legislation helped both home buyers and renters.
