Dear Neighbors,
Greetings from the State Capitol. We now enter the final weeks of the legislative session. To date, very little progress has been made on the important issues we hoped to tackle this legislative session, especially in regard to a comprehensive transportation bill, a bonding bill for capital improvements of state assets, and property tax relief for middle class Minnesotans. With a $900 million state budget surplus, we should also be taking some strong actions to help boost our economy to help out ordinary Minnesota families.
Yesterday, we took up the Omnibus Jobs, Agriculture, and Environment Bill, and we could have used this bill as a way to move Minnesota forward. Unfortunately, this bill did the opposite, and did so in a big way. The GOP House Majority chose to cut the Job Creation Fund and the Minnesota Investment Fund, two programs which have been successful in leveraging private investments to put Minnesotans to work. Since 2014, $27.9 million for 59 business expansion projects have occurred due to the Job Creation Fund, and last year the Minnesota Investment Fund awarded $11.2 million in loans to businesses, helping create more than 1,700 jobs. In a time of surplus, it makes absolutely no sense to make cuts in these areas.
Even while raiding these funds, their proposal for high-speed broadband in the bill was a drop in the bucket when compared to the demonstrated need. The Governor’s Broadband Taskforce has recommended an annual investment of $200 million toward these upgrades. Gov. Dayton has proposed $100 million for broadband this year, and the Senate DFL majority has proposed $85 million. Unfortunately though, the House GOP doesn’t see it as a priority at all.
In 2015, Republicans originally proposed no funding for broadband and even tried to shut down the Office of Broadband Technology. They eventually reversed course and proposed $8 million. This year we’re seeing the same inaction on building our broadband infrastructure. The bill passed only provides $15 million. We constantly hear stories from students, business owners, and families who lack fast, reliable internet. As our region struggles in these tough times, we should be doing everything we can to keep folks here. Instead, a lack of these types of investments just encourages people to relocate. We need to ensure our entire state remains strong, and the Iron Range and every other region in Greater Minnesota cannot afford to lose an entire generation to the metro area because of an inability to get online.
Lastly, I’d like to talk about one of my top priorities this session which would certainly help a whole host of Minnesotans and their families. The United States is the only industrialized nation on the planet without mandatory Paid Family Leave, and I’ve introduced a bill to create a program making this available to Minnesotans. Only 13% of employees in the U.S. have access to full pay through their employers while out on the Family Medical Leave Act, and only 40 percent of private industry workers have access to short-term disability insurance. These percentages are even lower for low-income and part time workers and those from diverse populations.
My bill would provide up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement for leave following pregnancy and for those experiencing medical issues and 12 weeks for bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously-ill family member. It would be paid for through a small payroll tax paid for by both employers and employees which tops out at about $2 per week. I was fortunate to be able to take time to care for both of my grandfathers at the end of their lives. When we’re at our most vulnerable, we should be able to care for each other.
As we head toward the finish line of another legislative session, I’d encourage you to stay in touch with your thoughts on these and any other topics important to you. Feel free to call or email me any time. Also, if you know of anyone else interested in receiving these periodic updates about what’s going on in St. Paul, please send them this link so they can sign up for my email list: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/join.asp?id=15407.
Warm regards,
Jason Metsa
State Representative, District 6B