Update: See the May 6, 2019 Republican Protest and Dissent directed toward Rep. Becker Finn and Speaker Melissa Hortman, posted below. [end update].
While the Star Tribune reported in April that Lawmakers, lobbyists describe cautious Capitol in wake of #MeToo, a recent item in the Journal of the House suggests that not every lawmaker is being cautious about his behavior while the House is conducting business.
State representative Tony Jurgens, R-Cottage Grove, was called out for "aggressive, inappropriate behavior following a vote on the House floor on April 29, 2019" in a protest and dissent letter signed by a long list of his DFL colleagues.
From the May 2, 2019 Journal of the House, beginning on page 5582:
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 11 of the Minnesota Constitution, we the undersigned Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives register our protest and dissent against Representative Tony Jurgens for his aggressive, inappropriate behavior following a vote on the House floor on April 29, 2019.
The House Code of Conduct Policy for the Minnesota House of Representatives, pursuant to House Rule 9.01, states:
"A State Representative and an officer or employee of the House of Representatives shall:
Respect the principles of representative democracy, by exemplifying good citizenship and High personal integrity, and by observing the letter and spirit of laws, and House Rules…
Treat everyone with respect, fairness, and courtesy…
Exercise sound judgement."
Further, the Minnesota House of Representatives Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment states:
"All those involved in the legislative process have a responsibility to contribute to a safe and respectful work environment."
Following a roll call vote on an amendment regarding child custody, on the legislative day of April 29, 2019, Representative Tony Jurgens angrily struck his desk. The sound can be heard on the video recording of the proceedings. Rep. Jurgens then walked off the House floor to the retiring room. Upon entering the retiring room, Representative Jurgens approached Representative Jamie Becker-Finn. Representative Becker-Finn was seated at a table, watching the floor proceedings on a television with her back towards Rep. Jurgens. Rep. Jurgens stood quietly a few feet behind Rep. Becker-Finn for a few seconds and then moved aggressively towards Rep. Becker‑Finn. Rep. Jurgens then slammed his hand down on the table with force, causing a loud bang and startling Rep. Becker-Finn and others in the room. Rep. Jurgens hit the table with enough force that the sound could be heard in the House chamber. Rep. Jurgens then leaned across the table towards Rep. Becker-Finn, making eye contact, and angrily stated "I'm glad you think this is funny!" ostensibly in reaction to the outcome of the vote on the previous amendment regarding child custody. A staff person then intervened and ushered Rep. Jurgens away from Rep. Becker-Finn.
We the undersigned find Rep. Jurgens' aggressive behavior towards Rep. Becker-Finn unacceptable. Rep. Jurgens did not act with respect or exercise sound judgment and therefore violated House rules and policies. We do not condone violence or intimidation of any kind and admonish Rep. Jurgens for his actions. We further request that the Speaker, Minority Leader and House Human Resources do all that is within their power to ensure the safety of everyone in our State Capitol.
Signed,
Jamie Becker-Finn Carlos Mariani
Kelly Moller Kelly Morrison
Alice Mann Samantha Vang
Ruth Richardson Zack Stephenson
Brad Tabke Ami Wazlawik
Steve Elkins Jennifer Schultz
Kristin Bahner Liz Olson
Jamie Long Robert Bierman
Diane Loeffler Anne Claflin
Mohamud Noor Michael Nelson
Tina Liebling Laurie Pryor
Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn Fue Lee
Mary Kunesh-Podein Patty Acomb
Frank Hornstein Hodan Hassan
Dan Wolgamott Jim Davnie
Jay Xiong Tou Xiong
Jean Wagenius John Persell
Todd Lippert John Huot
Ginny Klevorn Rick Hansen
Raymond Dehn Shelly Christensen
Duane Sauke Jeff Brand
Cheryl Youakim Dave Pinto
Peter Fischer Connie Bernardy
Mike Freiberg Steve Sandell
Rena Moran Michael Howard
Heather Edelson Aisha Gomez
Ryan Winkler Laurie Halverson
Sandra Masin
Bluestem has heard that some Republicans are now mocking the document, as if it’s a joke that a woman could be frightened by an aggressive angry man. Shame on them.
Is there a bug going around infecting Minnesota House Republican men? See also:
- In more sober moments than Saturday morning, lawmaker has more respect for hospital staff
- Random white guy with an opinion on PBS thinks Sioux & Dakota fought war against each other
UPDATE: In the Monday, May 6, Journal of the House, the Republicans fired back:
PROTEST AND DISSENT
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 11 of the Minnesota Constitution, we the undersigned Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives register our protest and dissent against Representative Jamie Becker-Finn for her disrespectful and inappropriate behavior following a vote on the House floor on April 29, 2019, and against Speaker Melissa Hortman for her inconsistent handling of disputes between legislators.
The House Code of Conduct Policy for the Minnesota House of Representatives, pursuant to House Rule 9.01, states:
"A State Representative and an officer or employee of the House of Representatives shall:
Respect the principles of representative democracy, by exemplifying good citizenship and High personal integrity, and by observing the letter and spirit of laws, and House Rules…
Treat everyone with respect, fairness, and courtesy…
Exercise sound judgement."
Journal of the House - 47th Day - Monday, May 6, 2019 - Top of Page 5612
During a roll-call vote that would establish a presumption of 50 percent/50 percent shared parenting during divorce proceedings, members of DFL leadership were observed pressuring members of the House DFL caucus, ultimately leading to four votes switching from ‘yes’ to ‘no’ and the failure of the amendment on a 67-67 tie. Following the vote, Representative Marion O’Neill rose and delivered an emotional, personal speech to express her profound disappointment with the events during the previous roll-call. Representative Becker-Finn was observed watching the speech being delivered by Representative O’Neill, gloating and laughing about the previous events. Her behavior was blatantly disrespectful of the positions and emotions expressed by the bipartisan group of lawmakers who supported the shared-parenting amendment, and unbecoming of a state legislator.
Earlier this session, following intimidating, hostile, and aggressive behavior by a male DFL Chair against a female member of the House Republican Caucus, Speaker Hortman asked for the matter to be handled privately, behind closed doors. That same courtesy was not extended when dealing with a Republican member who expressed frustration with Rep. Becker-Finn’s actions. Speaker Hortman’s inconsistent handling of these situations is disappointing, detrimental to the work environment of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and harmful to the working relationship between the majority and the minority.
We the undersigned find Rep. Becker-Finn’s behavior disrespectful and unbecoming of a legislator. Rep. Becker‑Finn did not act with respect, fairness, and courtesy, and therefore violated House Conduct policies pursuant to House Rule 9.01. We the undersigned further find Speaker Hortman’s handling of these incidents as harmful to the work environment of the Minnesota House and admonish not only Rep. Becker-Finn’s behavior, but Speaker Hortman’s inconsistent treatment of disputes between legislators.
Signed,
Kurt Daudt Rod Hamilton
Anne Neu Gregory M. Davids
Marion O'Neill Nels Pierson
Peggy Scott Bob Gunther
Jon Koznick Brian Daniels
John Poston Sandy Layman
Bob Dettmer Brian Johnson
Nick Zerwas Josh Heintzeman
Nathan Nelson Dale Lueck
Chris Swedzinski Linda Runbeck
Ron Kresha Duane Quam
Joe Schomacker Glenn Gruenhagen
Tony Albright John Heinrich
Dave Baker Tim O'Driscoll
Paul Torkelson Sondra Erickson
Greg Boe Matt Grossell
Barb Haley Dean Urdahl
Jerry Hertaus Nolan West
Steve Green Tony Jurgens
Jeff Backer Eric Lucero
Peggy Bennett Joe McDonald
John Petersburg Kristin Robbins
Bud Nornes Steve Drazkowski
Debra Kiel Jeremy Munson
Lisa Demuth Tim Miller
Tama Theis Cal Bahr
Dan Fabian Shane Mekeland
Jim Nash Mary Franson
Bob Vogel
We hadn't read this Protest and Dissent when we posted on the earlier document. We're curious why the Republicans are so shy about the identity of the supposedly "intimidating, hostile, and aggressive behavior" by a DFL chair earlier in the session--and why the accusations against Becker-Finn took so long.
Photo: Tony Jurgens was looking tough in this 2017 personal Facebook page profile picture. Guess he had to channel this inner child in the House retiring room last month.
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