Dear Neighbors,
I hope you have been able to enjoy your summer with family and friends. With the legislative session now almost two months behind us, one of the issues I’ve been working to bring greater attention to is funding for those who work in group homes and other community based settings, like PCAs. These folks provide care for those with disabilities and other special needs, and often work extremely long hours with very inadequate wages.
This past session, a top priority of mine was to get a 5 percent pay increase to these workers, but unfortunately even with a majority of legislators signed on to various versions of this proposal, it didn’t reach the finish line.
This is wrong, and frankly embarrassing. In a year with a budget surplus, we should have been able to do quite a bit more in this area. A recent article in the Mankato Free Press and subsequent blog on the Huffington Post have talked about my efforts.
If we fail to act, turnover in these positions will become simply unsustainable, and providers may choose instead to close up shop. I look forward to continued work with advocates to make this increase a reality in 2017.
State Budget
With Fiscal Year 2016 ending June 30, officials from Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released updated budget numbers earlier this week. They projected that revenues will exceed the amount forecasted back in February by $230 million.
MMB noted that economic growth is slowing a bit, so any excitement should be tempered, but overall, our economy remains in a strong position. Hopefully in January we can use our budget situation as an opportunity to make smart investments which help all Minnesotans in areas like education, transportation, and other “human capital,” such as PCAs.
Flood Wall Mural
Work continues on the Mankato Flood Wall Mural in downtown Mankato. This is a remarkable artistic creation spanning 500 feet of the flood wall along Riverfront Dr. between the Depot and Reconciliation Park. This is a fantastic way to highlight the importance of our water resources, and should serve as a constant reminder of the need to protect them.
Several artists have collaborated on this project, funded through grants from the Mankato Arts Foundation, a city of Mankato Community Grant, and other donations from citizens and businesses. For more information on this impressive undertaking, visit here.
I appreciate hearing from you, and hope you will continue to stay in touch with your input or questions. It’s an honor to represent you in St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Jack Considine
State Representative