Dawkins Will Step Down and Return to Role As Community Advocate So

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Dawkins Will Step Down and Return to Role As Community Advocate So loss for our city and for our state." Rep. Tom Osthoff(DFL-St. Paul) agreed. He said that Dawkins' advocacy for the people of his district and true belief in his causes would Dawkins will step down and return to role as community be missed in the House. advocate so family can finally unite under one roof Osthoffnoted thatDawkins has truly grown and evolved as a legislator. "And that's the beautyofthis place, thatyou get to meetpeople;' By MICHELLE KIBIGER economic development, and taxes. Osthoff said, "and hopefully you get to under­ or five years, they've had a high chair, a Dawkins is also remembered for when he stand them a little. Andy has come a really long, set of toys, and a crib at each house. vowed not to cut his hair until funding for gov­ wonderful way in this Legislature." Some nights they'd stay at her house, ernment functions shifted away from property Dawkins said he encouraged several commu­ and some nights they'd stay at his. taxes. Within ayear, higher income tax revenues nitymembers last fall to startlooking for candi­ But for Rep. Andy Dawkins (DFL-St. Paul), provided more balance between the two taxes, dates because ofthe possibilityhe would notrun and his wife, Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL­ he said. again. Several candidates have emerged, and he St. Paul), the time has come for their family said he's looking forward to to live under the same roof. the race. And that means Dawkins will not seek re­ His advice to his successor: election this November. establish specific goals and stay "I made a promise to the family that when focused until they are accom­ the kids would go to school we would live injust plished; respect and use the one house;' Dawkins, 51, said. He and Ander­ legislative process, all the while son have two children - Nick, 2, and, Jack, 4, holdingto personalprinciples. who will begin kindergarten this fall. "To get there, sometimes But the parting is bittersweet for the eight­ you have to do things that term legislator. people don't think lead t "I have loved every day ofthis job;' he said. that;' Dawkins said, referring "I hate the idea ofleaving. to the necessary decisions leg­ First elected to the House in a November PHOTO BY TOM OLMsCHEID islators make to support 1987 special election, Dawkins filled the dis­ Grace Dawkins, left, wipes away a tear as her son,Rep.Andy Dawkins, projects in order to gain sup­ trict-65A seat vacated by former Speaker of center, reminisces March 26 about his legislative career. Dawkins'wife, portfrom other legislators for Sen. Ellen Anderson,right, holds their 4-year-old son Jack during his the House Fred Norton (DFL-St. Paul) upon their goals. comments. his appointment to the state Court ofAppeals. Rep. Ron Abrams Originally from Chicago, Dawkins came to He sponsored youth works legislation to (R-Minnetonka) echoed Osthoff's comments Minnesota in the late 1960s to attend college provide college tuition to students volunteer­ aboutDawkins' effectiveness in working across at Hamline University in St. Paul. He said he ing in communities, much like the partisan lines. was impressed by the open Minnesota politi­ AmeriCorps program; the Great Northern "He has contributed a great deal to public cal system, including precinct caucuses. Corridor economic development project; and policyin Minnesota over the last 15 years:' said Ultimately, he moved to Philadelphia to work a homeownership program for urban and Abrams. "I consider him a very good friend. I with homeless youth while attendinglawschool. low-income residents. will miss him a great deaL" ~ But he knew he would return to Minnesota. Dawkins also sponsored several measures And that's what he did in 1978, establish­ in an effort to raise awareness of drug crimes ing both a neighborhood law practice in the and prostitution problems in Frogtown and Frogtown neighborhood of51. Paul and a per­ to study racial bias in the state court system. sonal goal of gaining election to the Legisla­ In 1993, Dawkins took a shot at the St. Paul Rep. Andy Dawkins ture within 10 years. mayor's office, challenging Norm Coleman, DfL Dawkins said it was important to him thathe who defeated Dawkins and served two terms District 65A - St. Paul get to knowthe neighborhood andthe concerns as mayor. Terms: 8 ofresidents, so he volunteered for a number of Dawkins said as a runner-up prize he de­ Career notes: Dawkins served one term community organizations and the DFL party. cided to start a family, so in 1995 he married as chair ofthe Family and Civil Law Divi­ Since his election, Dawkins has served on Anderson, who represents the Senate district sion of the House Judiciary Committee during 1997-98.Hesponsored legislation several House committees, including those just north ofDawkins' in 51. Paul. He said they to help divorced parents develop governing capital investment, family and civil knew the day would come when they would parenting plans and to establish the law, energy and regulated industries, environ­ have to decide which district to live in. working family tax credit, which he con­ ment and natural resources, financial institu­ "For myself and for my family, I'm really siders among his primary achievements. tions and insurance, housing, jobs and thrilled;'Anderson said. "But I do think it is a 22 March 29, 2002 Session Weekly.
Recommended publications
  • Front Cover 1998
    Session Summary with Special Session Prepared by MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING 100 CONSTITUTION AVENUE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-1298 (651) 296-2146 Highlights Introduction The 1998 Minnesota Legislature convened on Jan. 20, 1998, and lawmakers adjourned sine die late in the evening April 9, 1998. Lawmakers were in session for 46 legislative days, accumulating a total of 109 legislative days during the biennium. As specified by the Minnesota Constitution, the Legislature may meet for up to 120 legislative days during a two-year period. (A legislative day is counted when a quorum of either the House or Senate is present to conduct business as a body.) During the regular 1998 session, 1,629 bills were introduced in the House and 1,422 in the Senate. Of the 157 bills and four resolutions sent to the governor, a total of 15 were vetoed (11 full vetoes and four line-item vetoes). One bill was recalled by the Senate. The list of accomplishments from the 1998 session includes: a $1 billion capital projects law that will finance construction of public facilities around the state; a new tax law that provides more than $1 billion in tax rebates and reductions; an education initiative that will provide $70 million to help implement the state’s Graduation Standards; a measure that will provide a 3 percent raise for health care workers at nursing homes; and a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate the Office of the State Treasurer. Gov. Arne Carlson called legislators back April 20, 1998, for a special session to clarify a public policy question affecting Marvin Windows and Doors in Warroad, Minn.
    [Show full text]
  • Results of Elections Attorneys General 1857
    RESULTS OF ELECTIONS OF ATTORNEYS GENERAL 1857 - 2014 ------- ※------- COMPILED BY Douglas A. Hedin Editor, MLHP ------- ※------- (2016) 1 FOREWORD The Office of Attorney General of Minnesota is established by the constitution; its duties are set by the legislature; and its occupant is chosen by the voters. 1 The first question any historian of the office confronts is this: why is the attorney general elected and not appointed by the governor? Those searching for answers to this question will look in vain in the debates of the 1857 constitutional convention. That record is barren because there was a popular assumption that officers of the executive and legislative branches of the new state government would be elected. This expectation was so deeply and widely held that it was not even debated by the delegates. An oblique reference to this sentiment was uttered by Lafayette Emmett, a member of the Democratic wing of the convention, during a debate on whether the judges should be elected: I think that the great principle of an elective Judiciary will meet the hearty concurrence of the people of this State, and it will be entirely unsafe to go before any people in this enlightened age with a Constitution which denies them the right to elect all the officers by whom they are to be governed. 2 Contemporary editorialists were more direct and strident. When the convention convened in St. Paul in July 1857, the Minnesota Republican endorsed an elected judiciary and opposed placing appointment power in the chief executive: The less we have of executive patronage the better.
    [Show full text]
  • 2003 Election Directory
    Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate Updated January 16, 2003 2003 House Membership Statistics Unofficial list as of November 6, 2002 82 Republican members 52 DFL members 103 men 31 women 15 DFL women 16 Republican women 43 newly elected members 0 newly elected members previously served in the House 30 newly elected Republican members 13 newly elected DFL members 32.1 percent of House members did not serve last session 35 newly elected members are men 8 newly elected members are women 18.6 percent of newly elected members are women 23.1 percent of all House members are women 90 percent of incumbents were re-elected 1 Republican incumbent lost 9 DFL incumbents lost 37 seats were open 6 uncontested House races 3 uncontested races in DFL-held districts 3 uncontested races in Republican-held districts New House Republican members Peter Adolphson ................................................. 42A Doug Lindgren ....................................................... 2B Jeff Anderson........................................................27B Doug Magnus ...................................................... 22A Michael Beard...................................................... 35A Denny McNamara ...............................................57B Dick Borrell ...........................................................19B Doug Meslow .......................................................53B Laura Brod ........................................................... 25A Carla Nelson.......................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2001 New Laws
    NEWLAWS 2001 A COMPLETE SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SPECIAL SESSION Prepared by MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING 100 CONSTITUTION AVENUE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-1298 (651) 296-2146 Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office Director LeClair Lambert Editor Michelle Kibiger Assistant Editor Mike Cook Art & Production Coordinator Paul Battaglia Writers David Maeda Theresa Stahl Jonas M. Walker Mary Kay Watson Chief Photographer Tom Olmscheid Photographers Andrew Von Bank Sara Kirk Office Manager Nicole Wood Staff Assistants Christy Novak Michelle Sorvari Interns Jenny Dean Natalie Else Seth Kaplan New Laws 2001 was published by the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office as a service of the Minnesota Legislature. Staff members collected, wrote, verified, and coordinated the information to produce the publication. The 2001 edition is a culmination of effort involving many other individuals and departments: the House Research Depart- ment, the House Fiscal Analysis Department, the Office of the Chief Clerk, the Index Department, and the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Cover design by Paul Battaglia. Photograph by Tom Olmscheid. Introduction The 82nd Session of the Minnesota Legislature the regular and special sessions, 11 bills were vetoed convened on Jan. 3, 2001, and adjourned at midnight in full, and portions of five other bills were line-item May 21, 2001, the last day lawmakers could meet as vetoed. No vetoes were overridden during 2001. specified by the Minnesota Constitution. Overall, the list of accomplishments from the 2001 A total of 59 legislative days were used — one day session includes the double-digit tax cuts for all short of half the biennial allotment of 120 legislative property classes; extensions for some Minnesota Fam- days.
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights Part 1
    Session Summary Prepared by MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 175 STATE OFFICE BUILDING 100 CONSTITUTION AVENUE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55155-1298 (651) 296-2146 Highlights Acknowledgments New Laws 1999 is an information service of the Minnesota Legislature. The 1999 edition was published by the Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office. The work is a culmination of effort involving many individuals and departments: House and Senate members and staff, the House Research Department, the House Fiscal Analysis Department, the Office of the Chief Clerk, the Index Department, and the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. House Public Information Office staff members collected, wrote, verified, and coordinated the information to produce the publication. Those who participated in the project were Paul Battaglia, Gina Dabrowski, Sandy Donovan, Jon Fure, Nick Healy, LeClair Lambert, Grant Martin, Christy Novak, Tom Olmscheid, Laura Phillips, Jennifer Ridgeway, Sarah Tellijohn, Andrew Von Bank, Paul Wahl, Ivan Weiss Jr., and Nicole Wood. Cover design by Paul Battaglia. Photographs and photomontage by Andrew Von Bank. t e d i n o r n P r e r c e y p c a l e d p Contains 20% post-consumer content This document can be made available in alternative formats by calling the House at 651-296-2146 voice, 651-296-9896 TTY or the Senate at 651-296-0504 voice, 651-296-0250 TTY 2 Highlights Introduction The 81st Session of the Minnesota Legislature convened on Jan. 5, 1999, and adjourned at midnight May 17, 1999, the last day lawmakers could meet as specified by the Minnesota Constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • 2006 ELECTION DIRECTORY of the 2007-08 MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE
    2006 ELECTION DIRECTORY of the 2007-08 MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota Senate Updated as of Jan. 10, 2007 2007-08 House Membership Statistics Unofficial list as of Nov. 8, 2006 85 DFL members 49 Republican members 91 members are men 43 members are women 50 DFL men 41 Republican men 35 DFL women 8 Republican women Newly elected members 35 newly elected members 29 newly elected members are DFL 6 newly elected members are Republican 26.1 percent of House members did not serve last session 20 newly elected members are men 15 newly elected members are women 42.9 percent of newly elected members are women 32.1 percent of all House members are women 89.2 percent of incumbents were re-elected 12 Republican incumbents lost No DFL incumbents lost 23 seats were open at the time of the election 4 House races were uncontested New House DFL members Tom Anzelc ..................................................................3A Shelley Madore ..........................................................37A John Benson ..............................................................43B Sandra Masin .............................................................38A Karla Bigham .............................................................57A Will Morgan ..............................................................40A David Bly ...................................................................25B Terry Morrow ............................................................23A Robin Brown .............................................................27A
    [Show full text]