SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House is expected to approve a new Jobs and Energy budget (HF 2208). It includes major House DFL priorities such as giving every Minnesotan access to Paid Family and Medical Leave and Earned Sick and Safe Time. Both priorities are inspired by Minnesotans who have told the Legislature that they are being forced to choose between earning a paycheck or caring for a family member, or themselves.
“All workers in our state deserve basic, fair economic security measures for themselves and their families. Policies like paid family leave and earned sick and safe time will help Minnesotans working hard to get ahead,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester). “I’ve also heard from many passionate community members who share my commitment to clean energy, and how critical it is for us to act. Our climate is changing, and this bold, ambitious step toward 100 percent renewables is the responsible thing to do.”
The new Paid Family and Medical Leave policy allows for up to 12 weeks of medical leave with partial wage replacement, allowing parents to spend time with a newborn or family members to care for an ill loved one. The program would be modeled after the state’s unemployment insurance program with premiums paid by both employees and employers.
The Earned Sick and Safe Time Policy would allow Minnesota workers, after being on the job 90 days, to earn a minimum of one hour of paid, earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. This could be used for an employee to address an illness, or get help following a traumatic event like domestic violence or sexual assault. Research has demonstrated public health is improved by the enactment of this type of policy.
The House DFL Jobs and Energy budget also includes tougher protections against wage theft. With 39,000 Minnesotans experiencing wage theft in some form every year, the budget would protect wages and hold employers who take advantage of workers accountable.
A cornerstone of the House DFL Jobs and Energy budget is establishing a pathway to adopt 100 percent carbon-free energy by 2050. This transition would reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels and encourage the use of clean energy alternatives. The budget ensures that electricity is reliable and affordable during and after the transition. New opportunities for utility consumers to conserve energy and save money by switching to cleaner electricity sources are also included.
Other major components in the Jobs and Energy budget include:
- Minnesota Innovation Collaborative
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Net Neutrality
- Protections against predatory payday lenders
- Solar on Schools program
- Electric bus grants
- Funding for Rochester’s Bridges to Healthcare program.
After the Minnesota House and Senate approve their respective jobs and energy budgets, lawmakers from each chamber will form a conference committee to reach agreement on a final version.