Dear Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you well. I’d like to take a moment to give an update on a few items of importance.
Addressing Racial Disparities
Last week Hennepin County Attorney Michael Freeman announced that the police officers involved in the tragic shooting of Jamar Clark will not be charged in his death. I was disappointed with the County Attorney’s decision, and my heart goes out to the Clark family for their loss. I am concerned that evidence coming out now seems to add more questions to what happened that night, not more clarity. We are where I feared, with enough evidence that for most of us is inconclusive, leaving all of us to see what our biases leads us to see.
That these tragic events are receiving more attention across the country is a positive even if it makes some uncomfortable. Looking at issues of race, class, and policing helps us build towards a more inclusive community. Part of that work will require serious criminal justice reform.
There are a variety of initiatives that have been introduced to address racial disparities in the Legislature, in addition to the Governor’s supplemental budget proposal. A few of these include: the Women of Color Opportunities Act (WOCOA); the Minnesota New American Integration Act; and Governor Mark Dayton’s equity proposals. I’m glad to support these bills and am committed to doing all that I can to move them forward. Legislation is often dry and formal but can be a powerful companion to and focus for community voices and energy.
UI Extension for Iron Rangers Passes in the House
On March 24, the Minnesota House finally passed an unemployment extension for workers on the Iron Range who received layoff notices over a year ago. The Governor signed the bill on that same afternoon.
We expected to pass a “clean bill” extending unemployment insurance benefits for the laid-off steelworkers four weeks ago on the first day of session, but the Republican House Majority insisted on adding a provision to cut unemployment insurance premiums for businesses. While this provision may have some merit, it’s completely wrong to tie other subjects to a bill providing relief for an economic crisis like this. In fact, it is unprecedented. In the past, legislators have come together on a bipartisan basis to lend a helping hand to communities which have suffered from natural disasters such as floods and tornadoes without attaching other strings attached.
I initially voted no on the original Republican bill because there was a provision that included “legislative findings”. "Findings" are statements of legislative belief that don't belong in law. If you want to know what a legislature believes, watch what we do, not what we say. Furthermore, the findings were uncritically pro-mining for both ferrous and non-ferrous mining. I agree with the vast majority of our neighbors that we need to have a nuanced approach to mining that balances environmental protection. I believe my most important responsibility is to do my part in preserving that which makes Minnesota unique: the lands and lakes of our state.
In the bill passed on March 24th, the UI tax cut for businesses is done in a more responsible way, establishing a measure of sustainability for the fund. While there is still a significant amount of money in the fund today, an economic slowdown could empty the fund quickly.
Filing for your Property Tax or Homestead Credit Refund
We are rapidly approaching the end of the 2016 tax season on April 18. If you haven’t already, please remember to file for your Renter’s Property Tax or Homestead Credit Refund. To see if you qualify, please take a look at the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Instruction Guide. You are able to access the forms here. The deadline to file by is August 15, 2016.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue also has online resources available on free filing. If you haven’t filed yet and want to file yourself and are curious to see if you qualify for free
electronic filing products, or you want assistance from a free tax preparation site, visit this site. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Department directly at 651-296-3781 or via email at individual.incometax@state.mn.us.
Additionally, the IRS has free filing information available on their website. On the homepage of their website under the banner “Hot Topics” you will see a link entitled “Get Free Tax Preparation Help” or “Free File Tax Software”.
I hope this information is of help to you. Please feel free to contact me on any issue or concern.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative