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* 443 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-0173
E-mail:
rep.jim.davnie@house.mn
Legislative Assistant:
Brittney Sunderland 651-296-1928
Committee Assignments:
Chair: Education Finance Division
Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division
Ways and Means
Biographical Information:
Home: Minneapolis 2741 - 39th Ave. S., 55406;
Occupation: Executive Director, SciMathMN
Business: Minneapolis; 2400 Park Ave. S., 55404
Education: B.S., psychology/social work, University of Minnesota; M.Ed., education, University of Minnesota; M.P.A., University of Minnesota
Elected: 2000
Term: 10th
Family: Married, 2 children
* Prefers interim mail at this address.
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Rep. Jim Davnie (63A) - Legislative Update
Dear Neighbors,
Happy spring! I hope you were able enjoy the fresh air and sunshine over the weekend. Here’s an update from the Capitol:
Committees continued to meet into the evening this week to wrap up our work as we hit our second deadline for bills. This is one of the many moving parts in action that is a part of crafting Minnesota’s two-year state budget.
In many of the budget discussions I am in, I hear that Minnesota is trying to dig out of many years of underinvestment in our shared public goods. When the House Republicans held the majority, they prioritized corporations, the wealthy, and insurance companies. Destructive Republican budgets forced our schools to cut back, left our roads to crumble, and gave Minnesotans fewer choices for affordable, comprehensive health care. House DFLers know we can, and must, do better for all Minnesotans.
Governor Walz’s Revised Budget
Governor Tim Walz announced the “Revised” Budget for One Minnesota this month. His supplemental proposal is based on the February state economic forecast, which revealed a significant reduction in the state’s positive budgetary balance. In fact, Minnesota’s budget experts say the balance declined by a third from the previous forecast, released in early December 2018. The Governor’s supplemental budget proposal retains smart investments in education, health care, and community prosperity. You can read more about it here.
House Budget Targets Released
The House DFL Majority released its Minnesota Values budget framework on Monday. After taking into consideration the Governor’s revised budget, we are in a unique position to find a balanced approach with the Republican controlled Senate. Compromise will be key, but not at the expense of Minnesota kids and families. This is why I am pleased that our budget includes a $900 million investment in E-12 education and a tuition freeze at both the Minnesota State college system and the University of Minnesota. You can see my remarks from our recent press conference here. All Minnesota kids deserve a world class education and we know that when we invest in them, we invest in our workforce, economy and address inequity and opportunity gaps at the same time. Lee Schafer, business columnist for the StarTribune wrote an excellent column highlighting the “Great Gatsby Curve”. You can read more about the other areas of investment that the House is prioritizinghere.
Protecting Minnesotans from Sexual Harassment
The #MeToo movement has inspired long overdue societal changes that need to be considered at the policy level. Last Thursday the House approved House File 10, which improves the ability of victims and survivors of sexual harassment to seek justice. This bill is nearly identical to one that was offered last session, but ultimately defeated after the Republican Majority received pressure from the business community to end efforts to move the bill forward. All Minnesotans deserve to live and work in an environment that is free from sexual harassment, and all Minnesotans expect to be treated with respect and dignity.
HF 10 is one of the Minnesota Values Plan top 10 priority bills of the session and the first to receive approval from the entire House. MPR has a story about the vote here, and a story with more background here.
‘Hands-Free’ Cell Phone Legislation Advances
Minnesotans deserve to be safe on our roads. We want our friends, neighbors, and relatives to be safe, too. That’s why the House approved the hands-free cellphone bill, House File 50. This legislation requires Minnesotans to use their cellphones in a hands-free mode while on the road. There are exceptions for emergencies and one-touch activation functions. This common-sense, lifesaving measure is long overdue, and I was glad to support it. The Senate passed a similar measure a few days later setting up for a conference committee to resolve the differences.
Legislation Update!
A compromise proposal from my bill HF 212, to allow cities the option to prohibit or regulate pesticide usage has been included in the Agriculture Policy Omnibus bill. The compromise would allow cities of the first class, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Rochester and Duluth, to reach an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to regulate pesticides. This is similar to the authority those cities have to regulate food safety and restaurant cleanliness. I’ve been sponsoring this legislation for six years, and have been working hard so that local governments have the option to weigh in on how to best protect our pollinators and community members’ health.
HF 2220: This bill to create a Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Office to support the outdoor recreation economy of our state, and works toward more equitable access to the outdoors received its second hearing yesterday in front of the Environment Finance committee. I am working with a variety of stakeholders to reach an agreement as that committee assembles its omnibus bill.
HF 2171: My legislation establishing a working group to examine links between health disparities and education achievement for children from American Indian communities and communities of color has continued to move forward. As one testifier, from the Northside Achievement Zone said, “We wouldn’t even have had this conversation five years ago. Now is the time for this bill”. We have many gaps in Minnesota that fall along racial and cultural lines. This bill challenges us to look outside policy silos to where those areas intersect and explore solutions.
Stay in Touch
Please never hesitate to reach out with questions, comments or feedback on what’s happening at the legislature. I value your input and appreciate your perspective!
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative
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