Rep Davnie discusses Prevention of School Bullying and Halting Foreclosures
Jim Davnie (62A) - Email Newsletter
Dear neighbors and friends,
As things are picking up here at the legislature, I thought it would be helpful to provide you with a quick update.
Frankly, I’m frustrated. Here we are, more than a month into the legislative session, and we have yet to see progress on any job creation proposals despite the introduction of seven proven strategies by the DFL and Governor Dayton. Unfortunately we have seen an unwillingness of some in the majority to roll up their sleeves and do the difficult, but necessary, work of finding common-ground in order to do what’s best for Minnesotans. Instead they have opted to continue work on divisive constitutional amendments that only distract from the real issues everyday Minnesotans face, like how to pay down their mortgage or find employment to support their family. While we can be described as “busy” we have little of substance to show for a month’s work. Hopefully, tomorrow’s release of the budget forecast will focus our work going forward.
Last Friday, I was honored to have been appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to the Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. I have worked on this issue over the past couple years, including passing bipartisan legislation later vetoed by Governor Pawlenty.
In recent years and months, we have seen the range of devastation that can result from persistent bullying, from the inability to excel academically to suicide. I am fully dedicated to ensuring that all students come to school feeling safe and are learning in an environment that allows them to thrive. I look forward to working with the diverse group that has been appointed to the Governor’s taskforce.
You can read more about the Governor’s Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying here: http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/pressreleasedetail.jsp?id=102-33934
Additionally, today I along with DFL colleagues, introduced the “Supporting Responsible Homeowners and Stabilizing Neighborhoods” Act which helps responsible homeowners who are facing difficult financial situations, make it easier and more transparent for them to work with their lenders, and hold banks more accountable for their actions.
It also prevents needless foreclosures by requiring clear information for homeowners about their eligibility for loan modification programs, setting a time limit on banks response to requests to authorize a short sale, makes “dual tracking” illegal so banks are not allowed to foreclose on a house while a loan modification is pending providing, and provides a 12-month stay of foreclosure proceedings for unemployed homeowners who have lived in their home for 10 years.
With a recent report showing that Minnesota has the 17th highest foreclosure rate in the nation with over 21,000 foreclosures in 2011, its clear there are still many in our community facing foreclosure crisis. The result of the foreclosure situation we face now is rooted in toxic mortgages, exacerbated by high rates of unemployment due to the recession. This act is an important step in addressing financial concerns of many Minnesotans now, while our continued effort of promoting job creation measures will help to avert these situations in the future.
Lastly, last week a five-judge panel unveiled its plan for redistricting Minnesota’s state Senate and House districts. These new district boundaries will not be in effect until next year but will be the basis for the November elections.
Looking at the map, our district lost a little portion of the Seward neighborhood and gained more members of the Standish- Ericcson and Bancroft neighborhoods. Our senate district has expanded outside of Minneapolis proper and into Richfield. The legislative district number has also changed to District 63A.
I want to make one thing clear: Redistricting will not affect how I go about doing my job as a state representative. My No. 1 concern has been, and always will be, the people I represent. That includes the people who reside within the current district lines but will be outside the district when the new maps take effect. I will continue to fight for Minnesota’s middle class, to work to create an environment that promotes job creation and to ensure that our children are guaranteed a quality education.
You can view the new district lines here: http://www.gis.leg.mn/redist2010/Legislative/L2012/maps/house/63A.pdf
As we learn more about the redistricting process, I will do my best to educate you as to how the new boundaries will affect you. And I encourage any constituent who may have questions about the new district lines to contact me and I will do my best to answer them.
Sincerely,
Jim Davnie
State Representative
