Dear Neighbors,
It’s always exciting when constituents make the trek to St. Paul and I have the opportunity to meet with them. This week, those visiting the Capitol included members of the IBEW, 49ers, and arts advocates. I also had the opportunity to meet with members of the Iron Ore Alliance. I appreciated the discussion about responsible mining on the Iron Range, and feel this is a model coalition between labor and management who have realized that for each group to be successful, they need to work together.
Budget Forecast
Earlier this week, the February Economic Forecast was released giving us a comprehensive picture of the state’s finances and our economy. The forecast projects a $1.65 billion surplus for the coming two-year budget cycle, an increase from the $1.4 billion projected in November.
This forecast is certainly good news and it puts us in a position to expand opportunities for many Minnesotans to improve their lives. Our state economy is still growing, but we must ensure this success reaches everyone.
With this budget surplus, I feel it would be appropriate to provide more resources to Minnesota’s students, provide greater access to health care, improve our transportation system, and make overdue investments in areas like broadband so we can build our economy in every corner of the state.
This forecast now sets the stage for budget and tax policy bills. Working together to find common ground, we can keep Minnesota headed in the right direction.
IRRRB Changes
I participated in a pair of meetings this week concerning the future of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. On Tuesday, during my first meeting as a member of the IRRRB, the board voted to shift management of the Giants Ridge ski and golf resort to private management. I opposed this move because while there are certainly changes needed to maintain Giants Ridge’s viability, I feel the ball was dropped with regard to how the workers are to be treated. More due diligence should have been given to the bargaining process, and only a week’s notice was given that this proposal was moving forward. Giants Ridge is important to our economy, and moving too quickly could jeopardize its future.
Wednesday, the House Government Operations Committee advanced a bill to make changes to the fundamental structure of the IRRRB, transitioning it to an advisory board. This is to address recommendations by the Office of the Legislative Auditor concerning the board’s constitutionality, as responsibilities fall under the executive branch but Iron Range legislators serve on the actual governing body. I supported this bill, and think it’s important to make some changes. More work is needed to refine this, but the bill is much less extreme than the measure put forth by House Republicans last year. The taconite production taxes mining companies pay are in lieu of property taxes, so it’s important that we ensure these proceeds continue to benefit our region.
Preemption
Last night the House passed a “preemption” bill to prevent cities from enacting pro worker policies such as earned sick leave, paid family leave, wage theft protections, or a higher minimum wage. While our economy is doing well overall, many Minnesotans still struggle to get by and local communities should be able to decide to enact policies better enabling their residents to raise a family.
Yesterday I joined a rally in opposition to the preemption bill.
Thousands of workers in Minneapolis and St. Paul have already successfully gained sick leave benefits, and I think it would be outrageous for the state to take them away. Here in Minnesota, we value hard work, and instead of rolling back benefits for people, we should be looking for ways to expand them. Last night, I stood with working families in voting no!
Please continue to be in touch with your thoughts on these and other issues as the session moves forward. Our first committee bill deadline is just one week from today, so it’s important you keep in touch with your feedback. Feel free to email me or call me anytime.
Sincerely,
Julie Sandstede
State Representative