Dear neighbor,
It was busy in St. Paul last week with two big debates on the House floor. On Monday, the House debated the rules that govern how the House operates. The DFL majority put forward a rule that would require all amendments to legislation be filed 24 hours ahead of time. Because the majority caucus controls the legislative agenda, this rule inherently puts the minority caucus at a disadvantage. Not only does it silence the minority, it is also bad policy. If a member is not sitting on a committee where the legislation was heard, the floor debate is the first opportunity that a member has to make improvements to that legislation. As a legislator, I represent 40,000 citizens. This rule now silences the 40,000 people I represent and the 40,000 people that each of my 60 Republican colleagues represent. It is sad that the DFL majority is starting off session on such a partisan note. I think Minnesotans expect better of our legislators.
On Thursday, the House debated the state employee contract agreements that included a two percent increase in pay for state workers. I became alarmed a couple weeks ago when I heard the DFL chairman of the Joint Subcommittee on Employee Relations tell committee members that they were supposed to “rubber stamp” these contract agreements and send them on to the next committee. As one of my Republican colleagues said, “I did not run for the legislature to be a rubber stamp.” While I certainly believe our state employees are hard working, I think their compensation and employment packages should mirror the private sector as closely as possible. I supported an amendment that would require state employees – including legislators – to pay 10% of their healthcare premiums and an amendment that would incorporate performance pay into these contracts. Unfortunately, these amendments were not accepted. Because these contracts contained no new reform provisions, I voted against them.
I was dismayed last week to learn about citizens being disrespected in committee. Several citizens came to the Capitol to testify on the “Puppy Mill” bill that the House Civil Law Committee was hearing. The DFL committee chairman gave ample time to supporters of the bill to testify, but cut short the time for opponents of the bill to voice their concern and forced a vote on the bill. These citizens took time out of their busy lives to share their concerns and essentially were turned away. Is this how the new majority is going to treat citizens? In the legislature, it’s fair to disagree with colleagues and citizens, but we need to treat those with dissenting views with more respect.
On Friday, I spent some time reading to Kindergarten classes at Lake Elmo Elementary and Oak Park Elementary. When I looked at all of their cute faces, I am reminded of how hard we all must work to create a better future for them. I feel this obligation not only as a legislator, but as a mother and grandmother.
CONSTITUENT EVENTS
Once a month, I’m going to be available for a "listening session" with constituents in the district. The first one will be on March 1 at Gorman’s Restaurant (11011 Stillwater Boulevard N., Lake Elmo, MN 55042) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please call my office at 651-296-9471 to set up an appointment in advance. Senator Karin Housley is scheduled to be at this first listening session as well.
On Saturday, March 16, I am again hosting a "Day at the Capitol” event. This is an opportunity to come to the State Office Building and the Capitol and have a chance to sit in a committee room, ask questions, have a light lunch, and an official tour of the Capitol. Please contact my office to RSVP if you would like to attend (so I am sure to have enough sandwiches and sodas, as well as how many tour guides we will need).
As always, I am interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Kathy.Lohmer@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4244. You can also send mail to my office address: 239 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Kathy