At the Capitol
Minnesota Legislature Adjourns With Much Accomplished and Much Remaining
The 2013 Minnesota Legislature adjourned at midnight on Monday, bringing to a close one of the most productive legislative sessions for working Minnesotans in a generation. read more »
Fight for Minimum Wage Increase Will Continue
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk told reporters today that a minimum wage increase is likely off the table for the 2013 session. The Minnesota AFL-CIO has been working with a coalition of faith, labor, non-profit, and small business groups advocating an increase to $9.50 per hour over three years with annual increases for inflation. read more »
Senate Minimum Wage Bill a Small Step Forward
The Minnesota Senate, today, passed legislation that would increase the state minimum wage to $7.75 per hour over three years. This is in contrast to the House bill that increases the rate to $9.50 per hour over three years and preserves its value by tying future increases to inflation. Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement in response:
“While it’s encouraging to see the Senate moving on increasing the minimum wage, we prefer the House version, which would make a significant difference in low-wage workers’ lives. read more »
Minnesota House Passes Minimum Wage Increase
The Minnesota House, today, passed legislation that would increase the state minimum wage to $9.50 per hour over three years and tie future increases to inflation. Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement in response:
“The Minnesota House took a huge step forward today in ensuring better wages for hundreds of thousands of hard working Minnesotans. The minimum wage has continued to lose value over the last 40 years; this legislation would begin to restore some of its buying power. read more »
MN Small Business Owners Say Minimum Wage Increase Good for Business
With the Minnesota Legislature set to take up a minimum wage increase, small business owners joined a growing coalition of Labor unions, non-profit organizations, and faith groups in calling for a meaningful increase in the minimum wage. These business owners say a minimum wage increase would be a net positive. read more »
Construction Proposal Shows Governor is Still Committed to Job Creation
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement on Governor Mark Dayton’s jobs and infrastructure bonding proposal:
"Governor Dayton recognizes that despite strong job growth over the last year, we cannot simply rest on our laurels and hope that growth continues. read more »
Governor Dayton Continues to Put Middle Class Families First
In response to Governor Mark Dayton’s revised budget proposal, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement:
“In his revised budget proposal, Governor Dayton once again demonstrated his commitment to middle class priorities by investing in schools, job creation, and infrastructure, while ensuring the state stays on sound financial ground. read more »
State Budget is More than Adding & Subtracting Numbers
Minnesota AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Steve Hunter issued the following statement on the state’s February budget forecast:
“While it’s encouraging to see the state’s balance sheet improving, Minnesotans know that the state budget is more than just adding and subtracting; the budget is a reflection of our shared values and priorities. read more »
Agenda for Middle Class Dignity & Fairness Moves Forward
In late January, the Minnesota AFL-CIO put forward our Agenda for Middle Class Dignity and Fairness. The bills are now being introduced and are moving at the Legislature.
Minimum Wage Act: Raising Minnesota’s Minimum Wage to $10.55/hour and indexing to inflation. read more »
Minnesota AFL-CIO Endorses Governor Dayton’s Budget Plan
The Executive Board of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state’s largest labor federation, voted unanimously yesterday to endorse Governor Mark Dayton’s state budget plan. On behalf of the 300,000 member labor federation, Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson issued the following statement:
“Minnesota's state budget is more than just adding and subtracting numbers to balance at zero - it is a reflection of our shared values and priorities. read more »
