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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL)

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Legislative Update- Special Session

Friday, June 12, 2020

Rep. Davnie

 

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well.

On Wednesday, when Governor Walz announced a special session of the Legislature, he named two main priorities: police reform and accountability and economic recovery. Yesterday, the Governor and Lt. Governor joined legislative leaders and members of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus —to stand together as a united force, ready to do the work necessary to break down generations of systemic racism in Minnesota’s law enforcement system.

Here are the legislative proposals that have been brought forward by the POCI Caucus. A number of them come from work previously done by Attorney General Ellison and Public Safety Commissioner Harrington.

Use of Force Reform of the keystone statute that defines when law enforcement is justified in using deadly force to prioritize sanctity of life. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.

Alternatives to Policing Creates new models of ensuring public safety by: 1) Creating a new office within DPS to administer grants to community-based violence-intervenors and problem solvers to intercept violence and reduce interactions with law enforcement, and 2) Providing funding for a co-responder form of policing that pairs officers with social worker when responding to crisis calls and welfare checks. This measure is a recommendation from the MN Department of Public Safey/Attorney General Working Group.

Police Oversight Reform  Creates a robust framework of accountability of the law enforcement profession through: 1) Expansion of the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) board and creation of a Police-Community Relations Council at the POST Board, 2) Reforming how arbitrations of the termination of law enforcement officers are handled, and 3) Requiring robust, real-time data collection and analysis of complaint, discipline and use of force data and use it to inform reforms at the POST Board, particularly as it relates to licensure decisions.

Voting Restoration Ends the disenfranchisement of over 50,000 Minnesotans. Those who are not serving a sentence in a prison facility – who are in their communities and contributing to their families and rebuilding their lives – must be provided their right to vote, regardless of supervision status.

Community Healing Creates a grant program to fund professional community healers trained to respond to systemic oppression-induced historic and present-day trauma through supportive services. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.

Independent Prosecution and Investigation Reform Provides the AG with independent jurisdiction for the prosecution of police-involved deaths and create an independent investigation unit within Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for police-involved cases. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.

Training Expansion Expands training in de-escalation and mental health crisis intervention. This measure is a recommendation from the DPS/AG Working Group.

Warrior Training and Choke Holds Prohibited Prohibits the use of all restraints or holds by law enforcement that purposely restrict a person’s airways or blood flow and ends the use of warrior-style training.


COVID-19 Economic Relief

While the legislature came together during the regular session to deliver some emergency resources, businesses and families are counting on stronger economic security measures. House DFLers will keep working to help those who are struggling to make their next rent or mortgage payment, students who depend on broadband access to connect to their schools and teachers, the smallest businesses that have been denied any financial assistance, and PCAs who continue to provide care to the most vulnerable during this pandemic. I am also committed to investing in our local communities through a robust jobs and local projects or “bonding” bill.

Yesterday I was able to speak to members of the House Transportation committee at the 27th Avenue and East Lake intersection about the importance of funding Bus Rapid Transit in any bonding bill.  While I, along with the whole Minneapolis delegation, had prioritized BRT during the regular legislative session, having high quality, reliable transit along Lake Street is more critical now as part of our rebuilding efforts.

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Free COVID-19 Testing

The Minnesota Department of Health will be partnering with local community organizations in Minneapolis to offer free COVID testing. The test sites will be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the next three weeks from noon until 6 pm. The tests are provided free of charge, and you can receive a test regardless of whether you have symptoms.

Testing will be offered at these three locations in Minneapolis:

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2730 E 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Sabathani Community Center, 310 E 38th St, Minneapolis, MN 55409

New Salem Baptist Church, 2507 Bryant Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

 

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It is strongly encouraged to pre-register for a time slot by visiting this website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/testsites.html.

 


Lending a Helping Hand

Several community members have asked for resources about how they can help in south Minneapolis or where they can donate to a local organization. The StarTribune has posted an excellent article that is frequently updated, outlining resources where anyone is able to lend a helping hand.


Keep in Touch

Please continue to contact me anytime with questions or ideas at rep.jim.davnie@house.mn. I appreciate hearing from you, so never hesitate to reach out.

It’s an honor to represent our south Minneapolis neighborhoods at the Capitol.

Sincerely,

Jim Davnie

State Representative