Supercreator Daily: A vision for less policing in public safety

Congresswoman Cori Bush introduced a new bill that would redesign how America responds to crises. Plus: The candle that makes me feel seen.

Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri’s First Congressional District. Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images

👋🏾 Hi, hey, hello! It’s Monday, June 28. I’m Michael, writing to you from New York City on a sweltering 94-degree day.

Rep. Cori Bush, a first-term progressive Democrat from Missouri, introduced a new bill today to redesign how America responds to crises and offer a health-based approach to public safety.

The People’s Response Act would create a public safety division within the Department of Health and Human Services to fund and coordinate research, tech support and grant programs that invest in anti-prison health-centered solutions. It would be tasked with creating a trauma-informed federal response unit deployable to communities to support state and local government responses to emergency situations, substance use and mental health crises. The bill would also include $2.5 billion in funding for state, local, and tribal government and community organizations to hire emergency first responders such as licensed social workers, mental health counselors, substance use counselors, and peer support specialists.

Bush has made it a priority since Missouri’s First District sent her to Congress last year to transform the language and spirit of activist movements into meaningful legislation, demonstrating what bottom-up policymaking looks like. Earlier this month, the congresswoman introduced a new 12-page resolution to establish access to electricity as a human right and regulate utility corporations and providers that have monopolized the industry. Resolutions are significant in that they express the collective sentiment of the House on a particular issue, person or event. It’s worth noting that if the People’s Response Act is eventually passed, it would be a binding law, unlike a House resolution like Bush’s public electricity proposal or the Green New Deal, for example.

“We are safer when our communities are well funded, our people are healthy and housed, and our children have nutritious meals, excellent schools, and green spaces to play in,” Bush said in a statement. “Our communities deserve a new response because the old approaches have been tried and tried again — only to continue failing our communities.” The bill is currently co-sponsored by 13 House members and endorsed by 70 organizations.