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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Cindy Pugh (R)

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Legislative Update (July 15, 2014)

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Dear neighbor,

On June 30 we received some very encouraging news from the U.S. Supreme Court in a case called Harris v. Quinn. The court ruled that homecare workers in Illinois who receive some state assistance cannot be compelled to pay dues to the government union because they are not full-fledged state employees. The plaintiff in this case was a mom caring for her disabled son.

As you may recall, the federal appeals court in Minnesota put the state’s childcare unionization law on hold last fall until this case was settled. Now that it’s been decided, it is expected the federal courts in Minnesota will eventually rule the law is unconstitutional for childcare providers as well, as is the crux of the lawsuit brought forward by Jennifer Parrish, a small business owner and childcare provider herself, who is challenging the law’s constitutionality.

Many expect the personal care attendant (PCA) unionization – which passed in the same piece of legislation as the unionization of childcare providers – will also face constitutional hurdles, but that issue is not the focus of the Parrish lawsuit.

This ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is welcome news for Minnesota moms and dads who already pay some of the highest childcare costs in the nation. Furthermore, childcare providers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing it’s likely that they won’t be forced to raise prices or turn away children in need of care based on the cost of union dues.

On the day the decision was handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court, I was honored to stand with Minnesota childcare providers in St. Paul – led by Jennifer Parrish – who have fought forced unionization upon their small businesses.

 

As it relates to PCA unionization, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) announced last week that it delivered cards to the Bureau of Mediation Services, triggering a union election to unionize PCAs. Given the precedent the Harris v. Quinn case set, it’s likely the law will be in jeopardy once a lawsuit is filed and the legal process moves forward.

Under the First Amendment to our Constitution we are granted the right of free association which also means we have the right to not associate. The state should not compel citizens by force of law to join a union and give up hard-earned dollars intended for the care of their loved ones. Governor Dayton and the legislative majorities – those in control of the legislature – should follow the U.S. Supreme Court decision, which makes it clear that a state cannot force people who are not state employees to pay dues to a government union.

OBAMACARE IN MINNESOTA

We learned recently that at least 16,000 low-income Minnesotans never received letters telling them that the state needed more information on their MNsure applications for insurance coverage through the Medical Assistance program. The notices were supposed to tell the applicants to provide more information to qualify for the state's Medical Assistance program, but were never sent to the affected individuals.

Therefore, due to the deeply flawed implementation of Obamacare in Minnesota, 16,000 low-income Minnesotans may now be without coverage. Instead of recognizing or acknowledging that families were going to be penalized, legislators in the majority implied these people would be lawbreakers and dismissed Republican efforts led by my colleague, Rep. Joe Hoppe of nearby Chaska, to provide assistance.

It is my hope that there’s a plan to hold officials at the Department of Human Services accountable. An individual or a family’s health insurance should not be treated with such carelessness by the state.

I’m also troubled that the Dayton Administration won’t reveal the rates for premiums available through MNsure until November 15. Releasing rates early provides transparency for people who may need more time to make educated decisions about what will work best for their family. During the 2014 Legislative Session, Republican legislators offered several proposals to require the rates be released earlier. Disappointingly, all such proposals were rejected by the majority.

LAKE MINNETONKA

The record rainfall and resulting high water levels on area lakes – especially on and around Lake Minnetonka, have resulted in serious property damage to many residents within our district. My heart aches for the families I’ve spoken with whose lives have been turned upside down as a direct result of the unexpected flooding of and sewer backups within their homes. I recently met with the owner of Christians, Inc., a renowned Chanhassen based insurance restoration business specializing in fire, storm and water-related disasters, and toured their impressive facility to better understand the challenges facing so many of my constituents.  Needless to say, I was overwhelmed to learn of the volume of calls Christians has received and the nature of the damage many residents have sustained since the waters of Lake Minnetonka began to rise.  

Many others have been affected by the wake restrictions on Lake Minnetonka – specifically the ‘Emergency High Water Declaration’ issued by the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD). The restrictions will remain in effect until the lake level falls below 930.30 feet for three consecutive days. As of yesterday - Monday, July 14th, the lake level, reported by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD], was 930.62 feet … a level that is still higher than the ‘pre-2014’ all-time high of 930.52 set in 2002.  If you’re interested in keeping tabs on current lake levels, readings may be found on the MCWD website at www.minnehahacreed.org.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Based on state law, I can no longer send out legislative e-mail updates after today through November 4. However, I can still respond to individual constituent e-mails and letters, so please feel free to contact my office with any questions, comments or concerns you may have in the coming months and I will get back to you.  I look forward to hearing from you and to the opportunity to assist you in any way I am able. You may either e-mail at rep.cindy.pugh@house.mn , call me at (651) 296-4315 or contact me at Rep. Cindy Pugh, 313 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155.

Thank you, again, for the trust you have bestowed in me to serve you in the Minnesota legislature throughout the past two legislative sessions. It has been an honor and a privilege to have done so. I hope you and your family have a wonderful summer!

 

Sincerely,

 

Cindy