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Dear friends,
We have just two weeks left of the legislative session. At this time of year the schedule becomes unpredictable, sessions start and stop to recess to provide opportunities to caucus bills and legislative developments. Conference committees, such as the Tax conference committee that I serve on, meet when they can and plow through bills hundreds of pages long looking to do the right thing for Minnesota—that the other side will agree to.
Marriage Equality
This Thursday, the Minnesota House will vote on the bill for marriage equality. DFL leadership has indicated that they have the votes to pass the bill and send it on to the Senate. For some of my colleagues that will vote yes on Thursday this is a very courageous act, one likely to cost them their political career. I have a deep respect for their courage.
Last November, Minnesota defeated the proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman. That same night voters in the states of Washington, Maine, and Maryland all legalized same sex marriage by referendum. Since that day there has been debate on whether Minnesota should move forward on marriage equality. I have been a voice for moving forward and moving forward this year. I do believe that House DFL leadership has chosen the correct process for this bill, waiting until we have moved all the major budget bills off the House floor into conference committee before turning to this important issue.
At the core of this debate for me is the recognition that gay and lesbian families have the same needs as straight families for financial stability, access to health care, respect for their values, inheritance rights, and—equally important as those real civil law practicalities—the sense of security and family integrity that only comes with marriage.
Moving forward on marriage equality also respects our nation’s tradition of religious freedom. Some faith traditions do not support same sex marriages and the bill respects their right to choose not to perform those ceremonies. Other faith traditions will be able to provide their members not only ceremonies in their tradition but also legally binding ceremonies equal to what they offer their opposite sex members.
Lastly, on February 14, Minnesotans United for All Families held a marriage equality rally in the Capitol Rotunda. As I was descending the broad marble steps from the second floor to the Rotunda, a woman came up the stairs and hugged another woman already there. Their broad smiles, obvious warmth, and squeals of joy spoke volumes to the potential of legislative action to touch the human heart in deep and personal ways. It taught me that we can govern from a place of joy, and on Thursday I will be proud to cast my vote in support of marriage equality in Minnesota.
Safe Schools for All
Yesterday, the House passed my Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act on a 72 to 57 vote. I was proud to be the chief author of this legislation to ensure a safe and supportive school environment for all of our kids. Increasingly nationally educators and researchers are looking at the key role that school climate plays in academic achievement and increasing graduation rates.
The Safe and Supportive Minnesota Schools Act establishes a strong, comprehensive state model policy on the prevention of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation. School districts and charter schools then either craft their own policy, or adopt the state policy. Schools must consult with students, parents and the community in this process and must annually review and revise their policies. The bill emphasizes remedial and restorative responses to incidents, keeping kids in school and inside the school community. In addition, the bill creates a School Climate Center and Council at the Department of Education to provide support to schools as they implement and practice anti-bullying policies. Training all school staff is a key to prevent bullying and to build school climates that are safe and supportive for all students. Funding for these efforts was included in the Omnibus K12 education bill.
This legislation is the culmination of many years of work on behalf of a statewide coalition of parents, teachers, staff, students, advocacy groups, legislators and Governor Dayton’s Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. Despite this coalition of supporters, I am very disappointed that the bill was passed on a party line vote. All Minnesota kids deserve an equal shot in life—regardless of political affiliations.
Omnibus Energy Bill
Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives is debating the Omnibus Energy Bill, which provides the same kick-start to solar power that the wind power industry received 20 years ago. The legislation includes new standards and incentives to encourage the development of solar resources. I am really excited to be moving Minnesota forward towards the use of more renewable energy.
Across the United States, 16 other states already have enacted solar energy standards. The proposed standard would required 4 percent of electricity to be solar-generated by 2025. Minnesota already has an overall renewable energy standard of 25 percent by 2025, and with the help of this bill, the state will be on track to reach this overall goal.
Please feel free to contact me directly with your comments and questions. My office door in St. Paul is always open, or you can reach me by phone at (651) 296-0173 or by email at rep.jim.davnie@house.mn. You can also follow me on Twitter at @jdavnie and follow the Property Tax Committee at @mnproptaxes.
I also encourage you to sign up to receive Session Weekly, a nonpartisan publication of Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Services. It is no longer available in print but you can sign up to receive the weekly electronic updates here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/subscribesw.asp.
Thank you for the honor of serving you at the State House.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie