To the editor of the Grand Rapids Herald-Review:
Over the past week state lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives made tremendous progress toward improving the livelihood of Minnesota’s working families.
On Wednesday, we passed the Women’s Economic Security Act, legislation that will help close the gender pay gap so women can earn equal pay for equal work, provide more protections and flexibility for pregnant mothers in the workplace and create more opportunities for women to enter high-wage, high-demand professions.
This bill is a winner for women in northern Minnesota and throughout our state. And it will make a lasting and positive impact on working families and our entire economy right now and for generations to come.
As the proud father of three daughters and grandfather of three girls, it warms my heart to know we are taking significant steps to ensure Minnesota women are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.
Another piece of legislation I was pleased to vote in support of this week was a long overdue increase to our state’s minimum wage—something that has not happened for nearly ten years despite the rising costs of necessities like groceries, gas and clothing.
I understand the concerns of good Minnesotans who run businesses in our region’s hospitality and tourism industries – a sector vital to the economic health of northern Minnesota – but I think it is important to note that under the bill we passed, an increase to the minimum wage will be phased in over several years, reaching $9.50 per hour for large employers and $7.75 for smaller employers in 2016.
Starting in January 2018, minimum wage workers will receive automatic pay increases every year in line with the rate of inflation, but a provision in the bill will allow us to suspend those increases during bleak economic times.
I think this is a reasonable approach that balances the needs of low-wage workers and businesses owners.
Next on my list of priorities is passing a strong bonding bill that provides additional economic benefits for northern Minnesota. I expect lawmakers to take this bill up after our Easter break this coming week.
Please be in touch with any questions or comments by calling me at (651) 296-4936, sending an email to rep.tom.anzelc@house.mn or by sending a letter to 517 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Tom Anzelc
State Representative, District 5B