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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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Speaker-designate Thissen to Establish Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs
State Representative Ryan Winkler to Chair Committee
(St. Paul, Minnesota) —Today, House Speaker-designate Paul Thissen announced his intention to establish the Speaker’s Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs once the 2013 Legislative Session begins in January. State Representative Ryan Winkler (DFL – Golden Valley) will chair the committee, which will include both DFL and Republican representatives. The Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs will research, investigate, report and propose legislation to address the decline of living wage jobs in Minnesota. Thissen said he expects the committee will look for ways to grow Minnesota’s economy by strengthening the middle class.
“Minnesota’s economic success hinges on the ability of hardworking Minnesotans to earn a decent living and provide for their family, but that basic bargain has been chipped away for many middle class Minnesotans,” said Thissen. “I am confident this committee will bring good ideas to the legislature so that we can grow our economy from the middle-out and move this state forward.”
Minnesota’s median income was once near the top in the nation, but Minnesota’s has dropped out of the top ten. In addition, fewer people are participating in our work force than any time in the last 30 years. Winkler said the committee will grapple with the economic challenges facing Minnesota families and the broad impact those challenges have on Minnesota’s economy.
“We must respond to these economic challenges because Minnesota can only succeed if hard work pays off,” said Winkler. “Too many Minnesotans are hurting for us to do nothing.”
Winkler said he plans to hold hearings at the legislature and in other regions of the state to gather ideas and input from workers, the business community, economist, and policy experts.
“The task of this committee will be to dig deep and ultimately present concrete policies that address our state’s wage and workforce challenges,” said Winkler.
Previous Speakers have appointed Select Committees to assess a variety of pressing issues such as the creation of a Select Committee to report on the recession of the early 1990’s. The Select Committee has been asked to report back with a report and draft legislation. This will conclude the duties of the committee and it will be terminated.
Members that will serve on the Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs will be appointed before the legislative session begins.
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News Items
- DFL Leaders Eager to Confront Minnesota’s Challenges with Focus on Economy and Middle Class - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 2:21PM)
- State Representative John Persell appointed Majority Whip - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 1:11PM)
- Speaker-designate Thissen to Establish Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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