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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dan Schoen (DFL)

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Rep. Dan Schoen - Legislative Report - April 11, 2014

Friday, April 11, 2014

Friends,

A lot of lawmakers have bags under their eyes as we head home for the Passover-Easter break, but, for me, I’m wearing them as a badge of honor. The work we accomplished this past week on behalf of low-wage workers, families, school kids and women makes me proud to serve as your legislator.

On Thursday, the House DFL passed a bill that will raise the state’s minimum wage in increments to $9.50 by August 2016.  On August 1 of this year, the wage increase goes to $8 an hour. On August 1, 2015, it increases to $9 an hour, and, on August 1, 2016, it hits $9.50.

We included two provisions in the bill that are very important. We carved out a smaller increase in the minimum wage for businesses with less than $500,000 in gross sales a year. Under current law, the minimum wage these businesses must offer is $5.25. Under our bill, it would rise to $7.75. This acknowledges that many smaller Main Street businesses may not be able to absorb an increase to $9.50 but their employees still deserve a boost in their wage.

We also stipulated that the minimum wage should be increased to inflation starting in 2018. The last time Minnesota lawmakers were able to raise the minimum wage was 2005. Our state’s workers can’t wait nine years between pay raises. While their pay stagnates, the cost of housing, food, transportation and education continues to rise. That puts them in a hole that gets deeper from year to year.

This bill will have a very positive effect of the lives of our friends and neighbors.  Nearly 2,400 people in our district earn minimum wage at their jobs and will now have more money for their families. I was proud to cast a yea vote.

A major victory for working women

The day before, Wednesday, the House overwhelming passed the Women’s Economic Security Act.

There is a lot of talk about equality in the workplace, but our words in the past had not led to real, concrete action.

This bill will finally provide that long overdue action by closing the gender pay gap, strengthening workplace protections, offering flexibility for pregnant mothers and expanding employment opportunities for women in high-wage, high-demand professions.

Fairness demanded we take action to put an end to this double standard. The Women’s Economic Security Act will do that by ensuring women receive equal pay for equal work and aren’t punished in the workplace because of their gender or for being mothers.

The bill will:

·       Allow mothers to stay in the workforce by expanding the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 to 12 weeks, allow use of leave under the Parental Leave Act for pregnancy-related needs and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees.

·        Expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare by removing the $5,000 cap on early learning scholarships.

·        Decrease the gender pay gap by expanding support for employers, workforce organizations  and others to recruit, prepare, place and retain women in high-wage, high-demand nontraditional occupations and apprenticeships – especially low income and older women.

·        Support the development of high economic impact women-owned businesses in nontraditional industries.

·       Reduce the gender pay gap through increased enforcement of equal pay laws for state contractors and by allowing employees to discuss pay inequities.

·       Decrease the gender pay gap by providing equal employment opportunities for family caregivers and reducing the “motherhood penalty.”

·        Address economic consequences of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault by expanding unemployment insurance eligibility currently available to victims of domestic violence to include victims of stalking and sexual assault and allowing employees to use existing earned sick leave to deal with sexual assault, domestic violence or stalking.

·       Enhance retirement security by considering a state retirement savings plan for those without an employer-provided option.

As I listened to the debate over the WESA, I thought about my mother and my daughter. I remembered how my mother wasn't allowed to use sick time when she had to take me to the doctor.  

I thought about my daughter. When she grows up, I don’t want to see doors that are open for my son to be closed for my daughter just because of her gender. I know WESA will make the future brighter for my daughter. I am so excited for her to grow up and have the same opportunities that I’ve had.

We have made great strides on behalf of our mothers, daughters and sisters over the years but more needed to be done. This bill is for them. Taking action on this was not only represented good family values but good Minnesotan values. 

Making our schools a safe haven

We burned the midnight oil to pass the Safe and Supportive Schools Act on Tuesday. The measure will strengthen protections against the threat of bullying in our schools.

The new law will provide local school districts the guidance, support and flexibility to adopt policies that will help protect all children from bullying, and reinforce the principles of tolerance and respect in our schools.  

We’ve all heard the stories about bullied students committing suicide after their cries for help weren’t heard – or worse, ignored. That should tell you all you need to know about the need for this legislation. We weren’t doing enough to protect our kids. This bill will give teachers, administrators and school districts some guidance and help to do just that.

Have a great weekend,

Dan