Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Happy Mother's Day
I want to wish a very Happy Mother's Day to all moms, grandmothers and great-grandmothers on their special day this Sunday. Not one of us would be here if it were not for mothers (and fathers), so be sure to thank your loved ones for their involvement in your life.
Teacher Appreciation Week
This week was teacher appreciation week and as a former educator, educational policy that affects teachers and students as well as parents are close to my heart. I'm honored to serve as the GOP Lead on the House Education Policy Committee and as a member of the House Education Finance Committee and even prouder to claim Minority Leader Kurt Daudt as a former student.
Teachers have an important role in shaping future generations, and I hope all of us have had a teacher who has impacted our lives for the better. Take time, if you haven't already done so, to thank a teacher.
Pay Increase for Legislators
Last year Democrats passed a constitutional amendment proposal aimed at raising legislator pay. The ballot question, which won't be voted on until 2016, would put legislator pay in the hands of a non-partisan legislative pay council.
That may sound innocuous enough, but Democrats know very well what they're doing: nearly every state that has established a legislative pay council has seen legislator pay rise as a result. There is one instance in recent history of a legislative pay cut, but it was in California where legislators already make more than $100,000 per year.
Yesterday Democrats passed a bill that would establish the pay council if the ballot measure is successful in 2016, moving us one step closer to ultimately raising legislator pay.
Minnesota's legislature is a part-time legislature, so it is unnecessary to raise legislator pay. This question on the ballot would sent the wrong message to Minnesotans, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed. After raising taxes by $2.1 billion, increasing spending by the largest amount in state history, and passing an $89 million Senate Office Building, nobody I've visited thinks that Democrats, or any legislator, deserves a pay increase.
Ten Days Left
We have just ten days left to complete our work for 2014. The mandated final day of session is May 19th. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to contact me at rep.sondra.erickson@house.mn, or 651-296-6746.
Have a great weekend,
Sondra Erickson
State Representative, District 15A