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State Representative Kathy Lohmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4244
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
HOUSE BRIEFS
E-Mail Update: Lawsuit Reform and Child Care Assistance Protection
Dear Neighbors,
The second week of the 2012 legislative session has come to a close. Representatives are heading back to their districts in order to participate in this year’s precinct caucuses. I encourage you to attend and become involved in the political process. All caucuses will convene on Tuesday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. Please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website to confirm your precinct location.
Reform 2.0
My colleagues and I continued our commitment to reform this week. On Wednesday, we passed four lawsuit abuse reforms that will improve Minnesota's economic environment by making the lawsuit system more fair, swift, and in-line with competing states. Essentially, these reforms are the first step to creating a more competitive business climate that encourages businesses to stay and grow in Minnesota.
Many of our local businesses – the backbone of our economy – have not been allowed to create jobs and invest in innovation because they are hampered by a fear of frivolous lawsuits and windfall verdicts that can lead to layoffs, decreased production, or shutdowns. These reforms aim to improve fairness in litigation, leading to speedier resolutions, all the while decreasing costs and increasing financial certainty for businesses.
The reforms are supported by Minnesotans for Lawsuit Reform, which is comprised of 45 regional Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations that together represent more than 58,000 employers in Minnesota. I encourage Governor Dayton to support these bills as well.
Protecting Child Care Assistance Funds
I advanced a bill this week that would protect child care assistance funds from the deduction of union dues or fees. I wrote the bill in response to Governor Dayton’s November executive order, which, if found constitutional, will require an election to form a union of private, in-home licensed child care providers.
Time and time again, child care providers have told me that child care assistance payments need to be delegated solely to child care assistance. In the event of child care unionization, union dues and fees should not be withdrawn from state child care subsidies prior to the providers receiving them. Rather, state money should be used only for the quality care of our children. My bill would ensure providers have the freedom to decide how to pay for dues.
House File 1766 has received strong support from child care providers, as many are concerned that the deduction of dues would require them to stop enrolling child care assistance families or to make drastic cuts to their child care programs. In our current economic climate, we need to alleviate families’ financial burdens, not exacerbate them.
I look forward to discussing the bill on the House floor in the coming weeks. Senator Ted Lille is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.
Legislative Interns
I am pleased to announce that I have two interns who will assist my office in day-to-day legislative functions. Andrew Barnes from Lake Elmo attends Bethel University and majors in business. Robbie Doyle of Hudson, Wisconsin, attends St. Mary’s University and is studying political science.
As always, it is a pleasure and a privilege to serve you in St. Paul. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the 2012 legislative session.
Sincerely,
Kathy
News Items
- Legislative Update (May 24, 2013) - (Posted: May 24 2013 6:53PM)
- Legislative Update (May 17, 2013) - (Posted: May 17 2013 3:13PM)
- Legislative Update (May 10, 2013) - (Posted: May 10 2013 1:50PM)
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