Dear Neighbors,
The House and Senate Republican majorities are still far apart from Governor Dayton in their budget offers. With a week to go before adjournment and ten vetoed budget bills, more compromise is needed to invest in the things that Minnesotans value.
Governor Dayton’s proposal invests in education on all levels and builds a better Minnesota through efficiency and accountability in all areas of the budget. The Republicans’ budget plan leaves most of us behind, choosing irresponsible and reckless spending by providing massive tax cuts for the wealthy and special corporate interests. This is a deliberate choice and made possible by cutting and not supporting the services and programs we value as Minnesotans. With a $1.65 billion projected budget surplus, deep cuts are reckless and unnecessary; we ought to instead invest in what has enhanced Minnesota’s quality of life and made our economy strong.
Last week, more than 30 DFL women legislators, including myself, met with Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith to share our concerns with three important issues in the closing days of the legislative session: protecting minimum wage and paid family leave by opposing the preemption bill, maintaining the Office of the Economic Status of Women, and protecting Minnesota’s clean and fair elections. After our discussion, we held a press conference with the Governor and Lt. Governor outlining what Republicans’ policy choices mean for Minnesota women. Here are just two examples:
- The preemption bill is designed to strip local governments of their authority to improve workplace standards. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, more than 150,000 people would be denied earned sick and safe time, a benefit that allows workers to take time off when sick or taking care of children or parents. Preemption would also roll back efforts to locally raise the minimum wage, an effort that would come down most harshly on women as more than two-thirds of minimum wage earners are women.
- The nonpartisan Office on the Economic Status of Women (OESW) provides valuable resources and services to Minnesota women and legislators. The OESW engages women throughout Minnesota to learn more about barriers to economic security and find ways to improve the lives of women and their families across the state. Eliminating this office will silence Minnesota women’s voices and shut down a valuable information-based office that delivers facts and data key to developing legislation that helps create a level playing field.
I’ll continue to advocate for compromise with our legislative leaders and Governor Dayton in order to build a better future for everyone.
Please keep in touch in these final days of session on any state related matter at 651-296-5510 or via email at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn. I appreciate your ideas, suggestions and input.
Sincerely,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative