Dear Neighbors,
It's been a busy last few weeks here in St. Paul as the first round of budget and policy bills have been debated and voted on in the House of Representatives. Much of our work now shifts to conference committees where Senate and House members meet to hash out the differences in each chamber's bills. Once agreement is reached, the bills come before each legislative body for final approval before being sent to Governor Walz for his signature.
I continue working hard to make sure your voice and the priorities of our communities are well represented here at the legislature. Thank you for all of your support!
Supporting Minnesota Families
In addition to my work on the Pension Commission, the House approved and voted on a paid family and medical leave bill this week.
I support expanded access to paid family and medical leave, but had serious concerns about the details of this proposal including new payroll taxes, ever-growing government bureaucracy, and troublesome mandates. Click here or the photo below to see my comments on the proposal.
As lawmakers, it is our job to find a workable, compassionate plan that can provide this product to families without creating unintentional consequences for family budgets and small businesses. That's why I was proud to support our Minnesota Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FaMLI) Plan. This proposal would have provided a clear, stable, affordable, and flexible plan that serves families.
The MN FaMLI plan offered a small business tax credit to incentivize employers to join the plan and the program would have been run by a private insurance company instead of the State of Minnesota. If employers chose not to participate, workers could buy into the program for $5 a week. Unlike the bill that was ultimately approved, the FaMLI plan would have allowed employees satisfied with their current benefits to keep them.
I am disappointed that this innovative proposal was rejected by the House Majority.
Staying in Touch
Please continue to reach out to me to share your thoughts with me. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4315 or via email at rep.danny.nadeau@house.mn.gov.
Have a great day,
Danny