State lawmakers are in the final stretch of the 2014 Session.
Growing our economy from the middle-out has been a top priority of mine since my first day on the job. Tax cuts for over one million Minnesotans and a minimum wage increase are among this year’s major accomplishments, but the DFL-led Legislature plans to make even more progress before our May 19 adjournment deadline.
Here is my take on our accomplishments and remaining priorities.
MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS:
Over one million middle class Minnesotans, including married couples, working families and Minnesotans with student loans, will pay less in taxes as a result of legislation approved by the Legislature and Governor earlier this year. We also repealed three business-to-business sales taxes. I was proud to author bills repealing all three taxes at the beginning of this year’s Session.
Shortly after, House lawmakers unanimously passed additional tax cuts, such as boosting property tax refunds for homeowners and renters on top of the major investments we made in property tax relief last year. Senate lawmakers passed a second tax cut bill as well. Lawmakers from both chambers are ironing out the differences between each bill before we can send a final version to Governor Dayton to be signed into law.
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE:
The Legislature and Governor Dayton recently approved Minnesota’s first minimum wage increase in nearly a decade. We took a reasonable approach by phasing in the increase over several years instead of all at once, striking a good balance between the legitimate concerns of some business owners and the need to give working families greater economic security.
The rate for large employers (businesses with gross sales over $500,000) will reach $8.00 per hour in August 2014, $9.00 per hour in August 2015, and $9.50 per hour in 2016.
The rate for small employers (businesses with gross sales under $500,000) will reach $6.50 per hour in August 2014, $7.25 per hour in August 2015, and $7.75 per hour in 2016.
Over 325,000 Minnesotans will receive a pay raise, providing individuals and families with more income to spend on necessities like rent, groceries and gas – marking major progress toward ensuring people who work full time do not have to live in poverty.
Although a ‘server wage’ for restaurants was not included in the bill, I will work hard to enact one if I am fortunate enough to return to the Legislature next year.
WOMEN’S ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT:
I proudly joined a bipartisan majority of House lawmakers to pass 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 in fields like computer science and engineering. House and Senate lawmakers are resolving differences between their bills before a final version can be signed into law.
BONDING BILL:
Even-year Sessions traditionally focus on a bonding bill, which finances statewide infrastructure projects in higher education, transportation, housing, economic development, water systems and more.
I’m advocating for regional projects that will make a positive difference in our own backyard, such as redeveloping the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP), mitigating the effects of train horn noise by establishing ‘quiet zones’ and initiatives to restore water levels at White Bear Lake.
We have more work to do to continue growing Minnesota’s economy from the middle-out, but progress on middle class tax cuts, women’s economic security, and a minimum wage increase are good reasons for Minnesotans to feel optimistic about our future.