Dear Neighbor,
Today we received some very encouraging news from the U.S. Supreme Court in a case called Harris v. Quinn. The high court ruled that homecare workers in Illinois are not public employees and therefore cannot be compelled to join a public employee union.
Last fall, a federal appeals court had put Minnesota's childcare unionization law on hold until this case was settled. With it now decided, it is very likely the federal courts in Minnesota will rule the law is unconstitutional for childcare providers.
Currently, a lawsuit called Parrish v. Dayton filed by a childcare provider is before a Minnesota federal appellate court. With the ruling in Harris v. Quinn now the law of the land, we anticipate we’ll have a ruling soon that will overturn the childcare unionization law.
Today’s ruling is welcome news for Minnesota moms and dads who already pay some of the highest childcare costs in the nation. Furthermore, childcare providers – primarily female small business owners – can breathe a sigh of relief knowing it’s likely that they won’t be forced to join a union and raise prices or turn away children in need of care.
After the ruling was announced, I was proud to stand with childcare providers at a press conference reacting to the decision along with other Republican legislators.
Once we hear from the federal court in Minnesota, I will be sure to update you.
Rep. Scott standing with childcare providers & other Republican legislators after the press conference
As always, I’m interested in your feedback. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail at Rep.Peggy.Scott@House.MN or contact my office at 651-296-4231. You can also send me mail to my office address: 201 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Sincerely,
Peggy