Race, Gender and Politics: One Woman’s Experience Senator Patricia Torres Ray, District 63 September 21, 2016 [email protected] Office: 651-296-4274 Demographics of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives: Gender Gender 66% male (44 senators) 67% male (90 representatives) 34% female (23 senators) 33% female (44 representatives) Party & Gender Party & Gender Female - DFL: 22% (15 senators) Male – GOP: 40% (54 representatives) Female - GOP: 12% (8 senators) Male – DFL: 27% (36 representatives) Male - DFL: 36% (24 senators) Female – GOP: 13% (18 Male - GOP: 30% (20 senators) representatives) Female – DFL: 19% (26 Race: representatives) 3% Black (2 senators) 3% Hispanic (2 senators) Race: 1.5% Asian (1 senator) < 1% Black 1.5% Hispanic 1.5% Native 1 Who has held leadership positions in the Minnesota Legislature? Senate Majority Leaders: Speakers of the House: 2005-2007: Sen. Dean Johnson (DFL) 2005-2007: Rep. Steve Sviggum (R) 2007-2011: Sen. Larry Pogemiller 2007-2011: Rep. Margaret Anderson (DFL) Kelliher (DFL) 2011: Sen. Amy Koch (R) 2011-2013: Rep. Kurt Zellers (R) 2012: Sen. David Senjem (R) 2013-2015: Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL) 2013-present: Sen. Tom Bakk (R) 2015-present: Rep. Kurt Daudt (R) Senate Finance Chairs: House Tax Chairs: 2005-2011: Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL) 2005-2007: Rep. Phil Krinkie (R) 2011-2013: Sen. Claire Robling (R) 2007-2011: Rep. Ann Lenczewski 2013-2015: Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL) (DFL) 2011-2013: Rep. Greg Davids (R) 2013-2015: Rep. Ann Lenczewski Senate Tax Chairs: (DFL) 2005-2007: Sen. Larry Pogemiller 2015-present: Rep. Greg Davids (R) (DFL) 2007-2010: Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL) House Finance (Ways & Means) 2011-2013: Sen. Julianne Ortman (R) Chairs: 2013-present: Sen. Rod Skoe (DFL) 2007-2011: Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL) 2011-2013: Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R) 2013-2015: Rep. Lyndon Carlson (DFL) 2015-present: Rep. Jim Knoblach (R) 2 Highlights of Key Legislation Introduced in Minnesota for Women and People of Color: ● Sen. Sandy Pappas: Women’s Economic Security Act ● Sen. Sandy Pappas: Safe Harbor Act, bill to combat human trafficking of minors. ● Sen. Bobby Joe Champion: Driver’s Licenses for All ● Sen. Katie Sieben: Paid Family Leave ● Rep. Rena Moran: Women of Color Opportunities Act ● Sen. Melisa Franzen: SF 2411, eliminating the cap on and increasing the funding for early learning scholarship. ● Sen. Patricia Torres Ray: SF 2610, providing all students with access to effective and more diverse teachers. ● Sen. Katie Sieben: SF 3095, Authorizing pre-kindergarten for four- year-olds. ● Sen. Melisa Franzen: SF 2943, requiring a study of disparities faced by women of color, American Indian women and low-income women in accessing prenatal care. ● Sen. Kari Dziedzic: SF 3088, requiring post-secondary institutions to adopt affirmative consent standards in their sexual assault policies. ● Sen. Jeff Hayden: SF 2422, creating a health care program for low- income uninsured adults and children who are ineligible for Medical Assistance or Minnesota Care. ● Sen. Barb Goodwin: SF 2713, making it a crime to intentionally disseminate sexual images of a person without their consent. ● Sen. Bobby Joe Champion: SF 3133, Providing grants to train peace officers in Minneapolis and St. Paul in de-escalation techniques and the use of nonlethal force. 3 CHALLENGES: Meeting my own expectations. Meeting expectations created by the community. Meeting my colleague's expectations. How to be a transformational leader in a transactional world. Understanding that many times you are invited to be a token. Apprentice symbolism. OPPORTUNITIES: Take advantage of the above challenges! Most stories are yet to be written, and you could be the author. Most strategies haven't been shaped and you are in a position to shape them. Doing your homework, participating, engaging are key to positioning yourself. When you get attention use the visibility to promote a cause. Opportunities to make a difference are endless. Look for opportunities to connect with local and National efforts. 4 .