Itās hard to believe March has already arrived. Last week, the Minnesota
Management and Budget Agency released Minnesotaās February economic budget
āforecast.ā Based on the announcement (https://mn.gov/mmb/forecast/forecast/)
new numbers show there is no longer an anticipated shortfall for the 2022-23
fiscal year. The projected positive balance is due to a higher revenue
forecast, lower state spending, and an increased balance for the current fiscal
year. Itās important to keep in mind however that state budget forecasts donāt
take any inflation into account in their projections.
We are on track to build a balanced budget in Minnesota; one that protects
critical investments in the things we value, like good schools, affordable
health care, and economic security for those hit hardest by the pandemic. Iāll
be keeping this in mind as we craft our budget blueprint in the coming weeks.
Hereās an update from the Capitol:
Vaccine Update
Last week, the governor announced a plan to vaccinate 70 percent of Minnesotans
65 or older by the end of March. Following this, eligibility for the vaccine
will expand based on underlying health conditions and risks of workplace
exposure, like food processing plant workers.
Already the vaccine has proven incredibly effective in protecting our most
vulnerable Minnesotans. In long-term care settings, deaths are down 97% from
their November peak, and cases are down 89%. Demand continues to outpace the
supply our state is receiving, but good news is here with the approval of
Johnson & Johnsonās single-dose vaccine. That announcement was before the FDA
gave emergency approval to that vaccine. With the demand outpacing vaccine
supply for those who wish to get one, this new development could be a real
positive.
If you sign up for Minnesotaās Vaccine Connector
(https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/connector/index.jsp) youāll receive a
notification when youāre eligible and be connected with opportunities to
receive the vaccine. In the meantime, while having plenty of reasons to be
optimistic, itās important to continue practicing physical distancing, wearing
a mask around others, and getting tested when you can.
Vaccine Panel Discussion-Save the Date
On Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m., Senator Torres Ray, Rep. Greenman and I will
be hosting an informational vaccine panel with officials from the Minnesota
Department of Health, Minneapolis Health Department, and Hennepin Health.
Please send any questions you have on COVID-19 and vaccines ahead of time so we
can try and get them answered.
City and State Preparations for the Chauvin Trial
Many South Minneapolis residents and families are, rightfully, apprehensive
with the upcoming trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin. The
trial, scheduled to begin on Monday, may be retraumatizing, bringing up any
number of emotions. This may be particularly true for BIPOC members of our
community. The presence of National Guard and law enforcement from other
agencies may be feared by some and welcomed by others. I suspect that many
will have a mix of emotions.
My commitment is to be as timely, accurate, and reliable a source of
information as possible.
The Minneapolis legislative delegation has been in frequent communication with
the City of Minneapolis and state leadership to make sure our Minneapolis
neighbors are prepared and supported.
The delegation has advocated that the City be active in communications,
outreach, and engagement services during the trial to keep residents,
neighborhoods, businesses, and partners informed and safe, with a particular
emphasis on communities of color and small businesses. We have also pushed the
City to set high expectations for MPD, National Guard, and other jurisdiction
officers in their treatment and techniques with the public, including the press
and medical staff to avoid the excesses and abuses we all saw last summer.
During the jury selection and trial, the City expects the engagement and
community services to be very visible and law enforcement less noticeable. Only
when jury deliberation begins is when Minneapolis expects an enhanced law
enforcement presence. The enhanced law enforcement presence during the jury
deliberation may be seen downtown and in our neighborhoods.
Key Dates of Trial:
ā¢ March 8: Jury selection expected to start
ā¢ March 29: Opening statements anticipated to commence
ā¢ Mid- to late April: Instructions will be given to the jury. The jury will
then be sequestered and deliberate until they reach a verdict.
Street Closures
Sixth Street South (the street and sidewalks) between Third and Fourth avenues
are now closed. Metro Transit is also working on plans to mitigate any
anticipated disruption to light rail and bus service.
Update on the SAFE Act Negotiations
One aspect of this is who will pay for the enhanced law enforcement and other
security measures that the City and state will be implementing. Should the
state help pay for this international event in Minneapolis or should the cost
fall primarily on the residents of Minneapolis?
Negotiations continue to find compromise on the SAFE (State Aid for
Emergencies) Act after the bill failed in the House, receiving no GOP votes and
a mixed vote from DFL legislators As I mentioned in my previous newsletter,
there were concerns around balancing adequate First Amendment rights
protections and police accountability, with the security and cost-sharing
concerns. The S.A.F.E Act isnāt about what sort of response the state and city
marshal in response to the trial, but more about who pays for that response.
Rebuilding Minneapolis
As Minnesotans, we pride ourselves on our willingness to stand by and support
our neighbors when they experience great hardship, especially when our
communities sustain significant damage. This last year we have struggled with
civil unrest, trauma, and assaults on our most vulnerable communities.
Yesterday I stood with my colleagues from Minneapolis and St Paul to advocate
again for state resources to support rebuilding the small businesses and
neighborhoods most impacted by the civil unrest. There is a hearing today in
the Workforce and Business Development committee on several proposals to
support reconstruction efforts including my HF1844 for immediate support to
small businesses and neighborhoods.
Listening Session: Community Safety and Aerial Surveillance
U.S. Congressmember Ilhan Omar and I have been hearing from the community
regarding community safety and constant aerial noise happening in Minneapolis.
U.S. Rep. Omar will be convening a virtual listening session on Tuesday, March
9th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to hear directly from you, your thoughts, and
concerns regarding this matter.
To receive details to attend this meeting you will need to RSVP at
<email obscured> by no later than March 8th at 5 PM; if you are unable
to attend you can leave a comment at the same email.
Supporting Paid Family and Medical Leave
Minnesotans shouldnāt have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of a
newborn, an ill loved one, or themselves. Recently the House Early Childhood
Education Committee discussed the Paid Family and Medical Leave bill. The
legislation provides workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical
leave so that they can take time off to bond with a new child, care for an
aging parent, or seek treatment for a serious illness while receiving a
percentage of their regular wages. Employees and employers will both contribute
to the fund that will help pay these benefits.
Research has shown that paid family and medical leave programs help increase
breastfeeding rates; reduce infant deaths; increase labor force participation
and employee retention; and increase lifetime earnings and retirement security,
especially among women, who are already more likely to live in poverty during
retirement. I support this legislation and will continue to advocate for a
statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave program in Minnesota.
Supporting our Small Businesses
As our small businesses continue to hang on one year into the pandemic, itās
clear we need to do more to ensure they can stay afloat. Iāve introduced
legislation
(https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1748&ssn=0&y=2021) that
would create and fund a Small Business COVID-19 Loan Program. The $50 million
investment from the General Fund would provide forgivable loans to eligible
businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. This measure has also been
included in the governorās budget proposal, so Iām hopeful we can get traction
in the Republican-led Senate to pass it into law quickly.
Combatting Price Gouging
Last week, the House Commerce Committee, on which I serve, discussed a consumer
protection measure that would prohibit price gouging of essential goods and
services during a national or local emergency. The legislation would protect
Minnesotans from exorbitant pricing of basic necessities and enact a civil
penalty of up to $1,000 per transaction on bad actors engaging in price
gouging. While most businesses in Minnesota would never engage in this
despicable behavior, those that would, should be held accountable.
Keep in Touch
Please continue to contact me at <email obscured> or 651-296-0173 to
share your input or to let me know how I can provide assistance. I welcome your
feedback and questions anytime.
Itās an honor to serve you in the Minnesota House!
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative
Cooper resident