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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Green (R)

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Legislative Update (May 3, 2013)

Friday, May 3, 2013

Dear neighbor,

 

We got some good news this week when DFL House Speaker Paul Thissen announced that there will not be a vote on any gun control bills this session. While we still have to be concerned about gun control bills for the 2014 legislative session, I’m proud we were able to successfully fight restricting our Second Amendment rights this session.

 

Today, the House voted to impose an increase in the minimum wage from $6.15 per hour to $9.50 per hour. While the idea is well intentioned, it will hurt our small rural businesses hard by forcing them to either lay off employees or close down altogether. Restaurant owners, small grocers, and other family-owned businesses have testified that this increase will put them out of businesses. At a time when we’re keeping for jobs with North Dakota, I don’t think we should be adding to the already heavy tax and regulatory burden on our family-owned businesses in Minnesota.

 

On Thursday night, the House Ways and Means Committee passed the childcare unionization bill on to the House floor. I firmly oppose this legislation. Childcare providers are independent small business owners. Imposing a union on them will only lead to higher costs for both parents and the provider because of the requirement of paying union dues. It’s unclear if this bill will come up for a vote, but if it does, I will be voting against it.

 

I’m continue to hear talk that the gay marriage legalization bill will come up on the floor next week. Nothing has been scheduled yet, but I plan to vote no on changing the definition of marriage if it comes up on the House floor.

 

As always, I can be reached via email at rep.steve.green@house.mn. To contact me by phone, call (651) 296-9918. Mail can be sent to Rep. Steve Green, 231 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Steve