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State Representative Jim Davnie

445 State Office BuildingState Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0173

For more information contact: Charlene Briner 651-296-5809

Posted: 2011-01-04 00:00:00
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HOUSE BRIEFS

CAPITOL UPDATE - JANUARY 4, 2011

State Representative Jim Davnie
Capitol Update
January 4, 2011

Dear Friends,

The 2011 Legislative Session got underway today at noon. As I took the oath of office to begin serving my sixth term as your state representative, I was filled with gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in me. I will do my best to live up to that trust and represent everyone in our district, not just those who voted for me.

We enter the legislative session with a changed political landscape. For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, Minnesota will be led by a DFL governor. And for the first time in almost 40 years, Republicans will lead both the House and the Senate. This dynamic hasn’t been encountered in recent history by anyone currently serving at the Capitol, and could create a steep learning curve – especially for the new Republican leadership.

Minnesota continues to face significant challenges, not the least of which is to resolve a $6.2 billion state budget shortfall. I am concerned that the newly-elected Republican majority will attempt to close the budget shortfall by making steep cuts that will negatively impact Minneapolis schools, that will cut Local Government Aid, and that will force higher property taxes on to Minneapolis residents. But I am confident Governor Dayton will counter with the balanced approach he offered during his campaign and that voters responded to by electing him. I look forward to working with our new Governor to balance the budget fairly and responsibly, and I’m hopeful our colleagues across the aisle will come to the table in a spirit of compromise too.
My highest priority is to create jobs that put Minnesota back on the path to economic recovery. As Governor Dayton said in his inaugural address, we must focus on three things: bringing more jobs to Minnesota; balancing the state budget responsibly; and improving the delivery of critical government services. The strength and stability of our state depends on our ability to work together to make choices that work in the short term and leave our state stronger for the long term. While difficult, these choices are not impossible if we all resolve to put loyalty to Minnesota above loyalty to political party or partisanship.
As he was sworn in yesterday, Governor Dayton issued a call to service. He asked each Minnesotan to dedicate a part of one day each month to serving others. To get Minnesota back on track we need all Minnesotans to contribute their time, talents, energies ideas and more to each other. I hope you will join me in answering this call to make our community and our state stronger.

There is no greater honor in a democracy than being elected to serve in the halls of government. I am deeply grateful and honored to serve you. I also ask you to remember the halls of the “people’s house" at the State Capitol are yours. Please visit me any time at my office in St. Paul. My doors are always open, and I welcome your insight and feedback.

Sincerely,

Jim Davnie
State Representative District 62A

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