Dave Baker
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 16B district
Assumed office
January 6, 2015
Preceded byMary Sawatzky
Personal details
Born (1962-03-27) March 27, 1962 (age 61)
Hamel, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican Party of Minnesota
Spouse
Mary
​
(m. 1985)​
Children3
ResidenceWillmar, Minnesota
EducationSt. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

Dave Baker (born March 27, 1962) is an American politician serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Baker represents District 16B in west-central Minnesota, which includes the city of Willmar and parts of Kandiyohi County.[1][2]

Early life and education

Baker was raised in Hamel, Minnesota. He attended Aitkin High School and the St. Cloud Area Vocational Technical Institute, studying sales and management.[1]

Baker has owned and operated restaurants, hotels and small businesses. He ran a restaurant in Willmar, Minnesota, for 12 years before his election to the legislature.[3] Baker also owns Green Lake Cruises in western Minnesota and a Super 8 motel.[4]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Baker was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014 and has been reelected every two years since. He defeated one-term DFL incumbent Mary Sawatsky.[1]

Baker is the minority lead on the Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Human Services Finance and Human Services Policy Committees. He also serves as an assistant minority leader, a position he has held since 2021. From 2015 to 2016, Baker was an assistant majority leader.[1]

Opioid epidemic

In 2011, Baker's 25-year-old son Dan died of a heroin overdose, after becoming addicted to opioids legally prescribed for an injury.[5][6] In the legislature, Baker has been active in addressing the opioid epidemic.[7][8] In 2016 he supported legislation to require pharmacists to create accounts on a opioid prescription monitoring website set up by the state, but stopped short of mandating them to use it.[9][10] Baker has authored legislation that would impose tougher restrictions on prescribing opioids, require doctors to check patient histories, reduce the duration of prescriptions and expand safe disposal sites at pharmacies.[11] Baker co-authored legislation that would require doctors to check up on patients before prescribing opioid painkillers.[12]

In 2018, Baker worked on the "Opioid Epidemic Response Law" with DFL State Senator Chris Eaton, who also lost a child to opioids.[13] Baker carried legislation in 2017 that imposed a "penny a pill" or "stewardship fee" on opioid manufacturers.[14][15] The fee was supported by Democrats and Governor Mark Dayton, but opposed by other House Republicans and the pharmaceutical lobby, which fought for the provision to be removed.[16][17] Baker removed the fee from his version of the bill, saying he was "frustrated" by the pharmaceutical companies' objections.[18][19] He said he was "unable to convince my colleagues" to adopt the fee increases.[20] The opioid legislation passed with bipartisan support and was signed by Dayton, and ultimately lawmakers compromised and decided that the fees would be scaled back in the case of a legal settlement.[5][21]

Baker was named to the Opioid Response Advisory Council by Governor Tim Walz, and later served as the council's chair.[22][23][24] In 2021, a nationwide settlement with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson included $296 million over 18 years to the state of Minnesota. The advisory council will oversee the spending of these funds.[24][25] Baker called for the money to be used on addiction and opioid-related services, and was praised by Attorney General Keith Ellison for his leadership on the issue.[26]

Other political positions

Baker was one of two Republican House members who voted in support of legislation to restore the right of undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses in 2019.[27] Baker opposed the bill when it passed the House again in 2023.[28]

Baker has called for law enforcement to have more authority over fentanyl.[29] In 2021, he voted against a bill to legalize marijuana in Minnesota, citing it as a gateway drug that could lead to the use of dangerous substances like opioids.[30] Baker also said he opposed legalization due to an increase in the use of vaping devices, especially among youth.[31] He voted against legislation sponsored by Representative Matt Dean that would have eliminated MinnesotaCare, a public health care option.[32] Baker sponsored legislation to invest in rural broadband expansion.[33]

Baker supported legislation that curbed increases in the minimum wage for tipped workers.[3] He also voted for legislation that would block the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul from increasing their minimum wage ordinances.[34]

COVID-19 pandemic

Baker opposed state masking mandates, and told his employees not to ask about medical conditions or force customers to wear face masks.[4] He authored legislation to limit the governor's use of executive powers, and criticized Governor Walz's pandemic lockdown policy, advocating that all pandemic restrictions end by May 2021.[35][36][37] Baker's business received over $50,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.[38]

Electoral history

2014 Minnesota State House - District 17B[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Baker 7,807 50.66
Democratic (DFL) Mary Sawatzky (incumbent) 7,593 49.27
Write-in 10 0.06
Total votes 15,410 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)
2016 Minnesota State House - District 17B[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Baker (incumbent) 11,908 59.51
Democratic (DFL) Mary Sawatzky 8,075 40.36
Write-in 26 0.13
Total votes 20,009 100.0
Republican hold
2018 Minnesota State House - District 17B[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Baker (incumbent) 11,908 69.11
Democratic (DFL) Anita Flowe 5,311 30.82
Write-in 11 0.06
Total votes 17,230 100.0
Republican hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 17B[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Baker (incumbent) 14,997 70.67
Democratic (DFL) Logan Kortgard 6,198 29.21
Write-in 27 0.13
Total votes 21,222 100.0
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 16B[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Baker (incumbent) 12,828 72.76
Democratic (DFL) Fred Cogelow 4,794 27.19
Write-in 8 0.05
Total votes 17,630 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Baker has been married to his wife, Mary, since 1985. They have three children and reside in Willmar, Minnesota.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Baker, Dave - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. ^ "Rep. Dave Baker (16B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  3. ^ a b The Associated Press (March 24, 2015). "House OKs bill setting lower wage for some workers". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  4. ^ a b Condon, Patrick (July 29, 2020). "Mask and distancing mandates meet resistance in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  5. ^ a b Van Oot, Torey (May 20, 2019). "Minnesota lawmakers strike deal on opioid response bill". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  6. ^ Olson, Jeremy (May 13, 2016). "Minnesota lawmakers target rising opioid death toll". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  7. ^ Collins, Jon (April 18, 2016). "Son's overdose death drives legislator's work". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  8. ^ Baker, Dave (2018-09-24). "Opioids: Solving the problem should not fall fully on taxpayers' backs". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  9. ^ Howatt, Glenn (October 10, 2015). "Minnesota's drug registry aims to put a lid on prescription drug abuse". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  10. ^ Collins, Jon (May 17, 2016). "Bill to stop opioid 'doctor-shopping' moves ahead in Legislature". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  11. ^ Olson, Jeremy (February 13, 2017). "Minnesota hopes stark opioid ad saves lives". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  12. ^ Olson, Jeremy (February 20, 2017). "Could mandatory database curb opioid abuse?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  13. ^ Van Oot, Torey (July 1, 2019). "Minnesota launches landmark opioid response law". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  14. ^ Collins, Jon (December 1, 2017). "New guidelines for doctors aim to reduce OD deaths". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  15. ^ Sepic, Matt (March 1, 2018). "Legislators take aim at how opioids are prescribed". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  16. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (May 5, 2018). "Tsunami of lobbying greets bipartisan effort at Minnesota Capitol to tax opioids". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  17. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (February 14, 2018). "Dayton leads bipartisan call for a tax on prescription opioids". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  18. ^ Collins, Jon (April 18, 2018). "Lawmakers call on Pharma to pay up for opioids". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  19. ^ Collins, Jon (March 30, 2018). "'Penny-a-pill' funding fades under pressure". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  20. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (May 29, 2018). "Opioid fee dies in final hours of session". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  21. ^ Van Oot, Torey (May 15, 2019). "New Minnesota opioid initiative stuck in legislative gridlock". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  22. ^ Van Oot, Torey (September 18, 2019). "New Minnesota opioid council goes to work". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  23. ^ Steiner, Andy (2019-09-30). "Incoming members, state leadership have high hopes for Minnesota's Opioid Advisory Council". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  24. ^ a b Montemayor, Stephen (December 6, 2021). "Minnesota county, city associations agree to opioid settlement that could net state $300M". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  25. ^ Montemayor, Stephen (June 14, 2022). "Minnesota leaders celebrate law that speeds access to opioid settlement money". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  26. ^ Star Tribune Editorial Board (January 9, 2022). "EDITORIAL | A unified front on the opioid crisis". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  27. ^ Van Oot, Torey; Van Berkel, Jessie (April 6, 2019). "Minnesota House votes to allow driver's licenses for immigrants in the country illegally". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  28. ^ Ferguson, Dana (January 30, 2023). "MN House passes driver's license for all bill". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  29. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (February 21, 2023). "Families of overdose victims press Minnesota legislators to act". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  30. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (May 13, 2021). "Minnesota House casts historic vote to legalize marijuana". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  31. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (October 31, 2019). "Vaping epidemic complicates marijuana legalization in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  32. ^ Richert, Catharine (April 1, 2015). "Some Republicans not sold on eliminating MN Care". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  33. ^ Bakst, Brian (March 17, 2016). "Broadband demands rise in MN, but who'll pay the bill?". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  34. ^ Nelson, Tim (March 3, 2017). "MN House votes to block minimum wage, sick time moves in Mpls. and St. Paul". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  35. ^ Callaghan, Peter (2020-11-13). "Legislative Republicans change their tone, and their tune, on the seriousness of the pandemic". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  36. ^ Olson, Jeremy (May 22, 2020). "COVID-19 pandemic, complaints both grow across Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  37. ^ Walsh, Paul; Olson, Jeremy (August 29, 2020). "Complaints spur intensified virus-related inspections for Minnesota bars, restaurants". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  38. ^ Bierschbach, Briana; Montemayor, Stephen (December 11, 2020). "Millions in federal relief goes to Minnesota companies with ties to lawmakers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  39. ^ "2014 Results for State Representative District 17B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  40. ^ "2016 Results for State Representative District 17B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  41. ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 17B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  42. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 17B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  43. ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 16B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.

External links

Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
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