Saint
Paul, Minnesota – Working with Governor Dayton, legislators started
quickly and have worked at a fast-pace this session to build on
Minnesota’s progress. Before the Easter/Passover Break, the Minnesota
Legislature has:
:
· Funded emergency provided propane assistance: In
the first week of session, the legislature increased assistance to
Minnesotans struggling to pay their heating costs during our
terribly-cold winter.
· Provided middle-class tax cuts: Enacted
tax cuts for more than one-million middle-class Minnesotans — married
couples, adopting families, working families, homeowners, college
students and parents.
· Raised the minimum wage: Just yesterday, the legislature raised Minnesota’s minimum wage in
stages to $9.50 for large business $7.75 and small businesses by August
2016. More than 350,000 Minnesotans will get a raise.
Heading
in to the Easter/Passover break, legislators are continuing to push for
more progress during a statewide tour. Speaker Paul Thissen and
Majority Leader Erin Murphy will lead a tour in Greater Minnesota to
make the push for priorities that remain this session:
· Statewide Bonding Bill:
The legislature is focused on passing a statewide bonding bill to make
critical investments in Minnesota’s infrastructure, including higher
education, transportation, housing, economic development, clean water
and wastewater systems.
· Invest in a Greater Minnesota:
The House has already passed a supplemental budget that makes critical
investments to grow our economy in Greater Minnesota, such as broadband
infrastructure, economic development resources, and farm-to-food shelf
legislation.
· More Middle Class Tax Cuts: The House has passed “Tax Bill 2” - providing $103 million in further tax cuts for Minnesota homeowners, farmers, renters, and small businesses.
· Women’s Economic Security Act: The House has passed the Women’s Economic Security Act, aimed at closing
the gender pay gap, strengthening workplace protections and flexibility
for pregnant mothers, and expanding employment opportunities for women
in high-wage, high-demand professions.
“This
legislature has been very efficient this session to build on
Minnesota’s economic momentum, from passing tax cuts for middle-class
Minnesotans to approving a minimum wage increase for 350,000
Minnesotans,” said Speaker Paul Thissen. “We still have a lot more work
to do this session and we are excited to get on the road to talk with
Minnesotans about the priorities that remain for the 2014 session.”
Here is the schedule for the “Building a Greater Minnesota” Tour:
Monday, April 14
Brainerd
Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Joe Radinovich, and others
Location: Brainerd Lakes Airport, 16384 Airport Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Saint Cloud
Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Zach Dorholt, and others
Location: SCSU, Eastman Hall, 720 4th Ave S, St Cloud, MN 56301
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15
Mankato
Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. Clark Johnson, Rep. Kathy Brynaert, and others
Location: Verizon Wireless Center - Ellerbe Room, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Albert Lea
Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. Shannon Savick and others
Location: Albert Lea City Hall 221 E Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 16
Sandstone
Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. Tim Faust and others
Sandstone City Hall 119 4th St, Sandstone, MN 55072
Time: 10 a.m.
Bemidji
Speaker Paul Thissen, Rep. John Persell, Rep. Roger Erickson, and others
BSU, Memorial Hall, Birchmont Dr NE, Bemidji, MN
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Willmar
Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Mary Sawatzky, Rep. Andrew Falk, and others
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Cyrus
Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Jay McNamar and others
Cyrus Fire Hall, W Main Street, Cyrus MN 56323
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Moorhead
Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Ben Lien, Rep. Paul Marquart, and others
Moorhead City Council Chambers, Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue
Time: 3:00 p.m.
