Dear neighbors and friends,
The legislature is back in full swing after our mid-session break. We accomplished a lot before we went on break: we passed the Women’s Economic Security Act and the Governor signed into law an increase to the minimum wage. This is wonderful news for Minnesota and for our community.
The Minnesota House passed the Women’s Economic Security Act with strong bipartisan support. Women are critical to strengthening our workforce and providing for our families. The Women’s Economic Security Act builds on Minnesota’s positive economic progress by ensuring opportunities for women to succeed in the workplace and to provide for their families. A few provisions included in the Women’s Economic Security Act include measures to reduce the gender pay gap, expand access to childcare and family leave, and enhance retirement security for those without an employer-provided option. Providing these policies and economic opportunities for women is essential to Minnesota’s economic future because when women and families succeed, we all succeed. I’m proud to have voted in favor of our women, families, and our community.
Before break, I also voted to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 by 2016. Minnesota currently has one of the lowest minimum wages in the country at $6.15, well below the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The last time Minnesota raised the minimum wage was nearly a decade ago. Since then, minimum wage workers have not been able to keep up with the rising costs of living such as groceries, housing, and clothing. Raising the minimum wage to $9.50 will improve the lives of 357,000 hard working Minnesotans and give them the economic security they need and deserve. This will be done through gradual increases occurring over the next couple of years. Starting in 2018, the minimum wage will be indexed to the rate of inflation, allowing working families to catch up and keep up with the costs of living. Raising the minimum wage will benefit all Minnesotans because it values hard work, boosts our economy, and strengthens our communities.
These are just a couple of significant steps we’ve taken this year to benefit our families and community. I look forward to continuing to work with you to strengthen our community and to keep Minnesota moving forward.
I encourage you to contact me with any ideas, concerns, or ways I can help you on state issues. I can be reached by phone at (651) 296-5510 or by email at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn.
Connie Bernardy
State Representative, District 41A