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State Representative Gene Pelowski Jr.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8637
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
Column/LTE
Honoring America's workers
Dear Editor,
Next Monday, many of us will enjoy an extra day off from our workweek as we join together to celebrate Labor Day, a holiday unlike any other. On Labor Day, we do not celebrate a military victory or freedom; we do not recognize one man or woman, living or dead, or any sect or race. Instead, on Labor Day we celebrate American workers and the many contributions they have made to the strength, prosperity and well being of our country.
This Legislative session, we passed two significant bills that benefit workers in our state. For the first time in over eight years, workers who make minimum wage got a $1 an hour raise. People who work in food service, caring for the sick and elderly, manufacturing and a wide range of other jobs deserve to make more money for their labor.
Labor statistics show that the number of people who work for minimum wage are not just teen-agers, as some believe. In fact, almost 73% of minimum wage workers are 20 years and older and 41% of them are supporting children. Whatever age they may be, people need to make enough money to pay their bills, their rising college tuition costs, their health insurance premiums, or even worse, pay skyrocketing medical bills because they don't have health insurance.
We also passed the first Cost of Living Adjustment for employees in nursing homes and long-term care facilities in over three years. We depend on these people to take care of our most vulnerable and cherished family members and they deserve better pay.
American workers made our country great, and they continue to provide the energy and momentum that keeps us moving forward. We owe them our thanks – this Labor Day and every day.
Sincerely,
Representative Gene Pelowski
District 31A
News Items
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: MINNESOTA STATUTE 12A IMPROVES STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PROCESS AND DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI AND SEN. JEREMY MILLER SUPPORT TWO-BRIDGE PROPOSAL - (Posted: 2012-08-23 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PACKAGE SHOULD FOLLOW PROCESS OUTLINED IN 12A AND INCLUDE PUBLIC INPUT - (Posted: 2012-08-16 00:00:00)
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