Dear Neighbor,
The 2014 Legislative Session is now underway. With session scheduled to end by May 19, the DFL-majority only has a few weeks to push their agenda through the legislature. Some of the issues likely to come up for debate include:
MINIMUM WAGE
As a mom, I always encouraged my kids to get summer jobs during high school and college. It’s an important way for young people to learn the value of work and hone their job skills. Many young adults work retail and service jobs to help afford their education and supplement their income. Imposing another regulatory burden on job providers is simply not fair to hardworking Minnesotans who will face job loss because an increase to the minimum wage.
BULLYING BILL
Last November I wrote a column on the bullying bill that outlines my concerns relating to the cost and scope of this legislation. I certainly don’t condone bullying and it shouldn’t go unaddressed. However, we should not be stifling the free expression of one’s beliefs in the name of “anti-bullying” policy. Putting St. Paul bureaucrats in charge of bullying and restricting local control and the role of parents in the process is not the solution.
BONDING BILL
Being mindful that bonding is essentially borrowing money from our children and grandchildren, I have long held that any bonding project I would consider supporting must address critical public safety, transportation, or infrastructure needs with long-term public use.
Some bonding projects are worthwhile and important for the citizens of Minnesota. However, the process of building support for a bonding bill can sometimes lead to a final product that borrows excessively for wasteful pet projects. Thus, I’ll reserve judgment until the final version of the bonding bill is before the House floor.
THE 5% CAMPAIGN
During the 2013 Legislative Session, Democrats managed to impose a $2.1 billion tax increase on hardworking Minnesota families. Yet, Democrats somehow failed to prioritize our elderly, disabled, and vulnerable citizens as well as the people who take care of them. The “5% Campaign” is an initiative that would fund a 5% rate increase for home care providers, long-term care providers and nursing homes that take care of our loved ones. I support this initiative and will vote for it so long as the bill is “clean” – meaning the proposal stands alone.
Other issues are sure to come up this legislative session. I’ll continue to keep you updated as the legislative process moves along.
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