The 2014 legislative session drew to an early close with much accomplished for Minnesota’s working families.
“Be it the first minimum wage increase in a decade, a job-creating infrastructure package, or leveling the economic playing field for women; Governor Dayton and DFL lawmakers delivered for Minnesota’s working families this year,” said Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson. “The last two years have been filled with major steps toward building a better Minnesota.”
Major Minnesota AFL-CIO Legislative priorities enacted in 2013 and 2014 include:
- Raising the state minimum wage to $9.50 by 2016 with annual cost of living increases
- An infrastructure bonding package that will create tens of thousands of family sustaining jobs
- The Women’s Economic Security Act
- Responsible contracting legislation
- Safe & Supportive Minnesota Schools Act
- The first wage increase for nursing home workers in 4 years
- 5% increase in rates to community-based services for people with disabilities and older adults
- Legalizing medical marijuana
- Health Insurance Transparency & Accountability bill, increasing competition in school employee health care
- A 26 week extension of unemployment benefits for any worker whose employer locks them out
- Agreement between Labor and business on workers compensation reform that increases benefits to injured workers & finally recognizes psychological trauma as a workplace injury
- The right for childcare providers and personal care attendants to vote on whether they want to form a union
- Balancing the budget with adequate revenue and without shifts and gimmicks
- Closing corporate tax loopholes, reducing property taxes, and ensuring the richest pay their fair share in taxes
- A monumental investment in E-12 education, including the guarantee of all-day kindergarten in every public elementary school
- Guaranteeing the freedom to marry to all loving and committed couples
“Minnesotans expected results when they put the DFL in charge of state government and our elected leaders have delivered,” added Knutson. “Jobs are increasing, wages are going up, we’re investing in schools, and our taxes are fairer. Union members will be working hard in the coming months to ensure that Governor Dayton and a DFL legislative majority return to continue the work of building a better Minnesota.”