Dear Neighbor,
As your voice in the legislature, my focus continues to be fighting for jobs for our community. In case you didn’t see, the Pioneer Press recently reported on a Hudson-based business moving to Lake Elmo. I’m proud to have been part of the team that convinced the company to move into our community. We need businesses from Wisconsin moving here – not the other way around. You can read the story here.
A critical part of keeping and growing jobs in Minnesota is having a friendly business climate. One of the issues expected to come to the House floor this session is the minimum wage hike. I’ve had several small businesses in our district contact me and tell me that they won’t be able to afford a minimum wage increase without laying off employees, cutting down on work hours, or shutting down altogether. Recently, I toured a group home in the district that serves adults with disabilities. They told me imposing an increase in the minimum wage would be a disaster for them as they work hard to assist a vulnerable group of people with unique needs. I continue to oppose raising the minimum wage. While it may be well intentioned, it will have devastating effects for our businesses.
This week, the House DFL leadership put forward their $15.7 billion K12 education omnibus bill. I already have concerns that this proposal focuses too much on funding new offices and centers instead of putting dollars in the classroom for student learning. A few examples include $4.5 million for “regional centers of excellence” offices, $1 million for a “School Climate Center” office, and $884,000 for the Minnesota Department of Education. I hope we can work together to pass an education bill that increases school choice and prioritizes students over more bureaucracy.
House Democrats also unveiled their $858 million bonding proposal this week. Generally, bonding bills are reserved for even-numbered years because the odd-numbered year is focused on passing a budget. I do not believe doing a bonding bill this year is a good use of the taxpayers’ money. Furthermore, any bonding proposal should be focused on fixing deteriorating roads, bridges, and infrastructure – not special pet projects for lawmakers.
Starting Monday of next week, the House is scheduled to be in session every day including Saturday. I’ll continue to keep you updated as to what’s happening at the Capitol.
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