Black Leaders See Business Fund, Summer Jobs to Close Gaps

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Leaders from Minnesota's black community have answered Gov. Mark Dayton's call to assemble a plan tackling economic gaps.

The efforts to narrow economic inequality were galvanized by the death of a black man shot by Minneapolis police last year and a recent report showing dropping incomes in black households. Dayton has already laid out nearly $70 million in proposed spending to narrow those gaps but called on community members to put forth more ideas.

Black community leaders and advocates laid out their vision in a packed a conference room near the Capitol Wednesday. They want lawmakers to put $75 million into an investment program for minority-owned businesses and a better-funded summer job programs for black teens.

The group is also pushing for body camera regulations and lower drug offense sentences.