Dear Neighbor,
We are now at the point in the session where the budget bills are in conference committees and the policy bills come to the forefront.
The House is likely to conclude work this week by voting on a bill that would raise the minimum wage in Minnesota from $6.15 per hour to $9.50 per hour. Most Minnesota employees currently earn at least $7.25 the federal minimum wage, which I believe is what we should tie Minnesota's minimum wage to. Other provisions would mandate overtime after 40 hours and raise the unpaid family leave from six weeks to 12 weeks.
The bills pertaining to our state budget are now being worked on by conference committees. Some of the major differences in the House and Senate bills include: an increase in the alcohol tax, an increase in legislative wages, providing for a tax on clothing and variations in the size of income tax increases. Once these joint conference committees iron out the differences, the bills will return to the House and Senate bodies for votes on final passage and – if that happens – be presented to the governor for his decision.
I want to pass along an interesting statistic someone reported on the House floor this week. The bills that have passed on the House floor this year alone would create some 1,300 full-time government employees. While I support job creation in Minnesota, I do not support growing government and adding more state employees. We need to be creating a more efficient and effective government. Revenues are increased without raising taxes by developing a healthy economy driven by the private sector adding jobs.
Other policy bills, including one allowing same-sex marriage and another to unionize day care providers, could arrive on the House floor soon. The House Speaker did announce this week proposals to bring new gun restrictions to Minnesota will not come to the floor for a vote.
I will keep you posted as the final fast paced weeks here in St. Paul draw to a close. As always, I welcome your thoughts, ideas and concerns as I continue doing my best to represent the people of District 13A.
Thanks again for your continued support and good luck,
Jeff