Dear Neighbors,
So many groups visit the Capitol while the legislature is in session. They’re the regular salt-of-the-earth, hardworking Minnesotans who take the time to share their thoughts about specific legislation they either support or do not. These are some of the best ways for us to have organic discussions outside of the prescriptive committee format. I appreciate people telling me their stories and giving me a boots-on-the-ground view that is far too often overlooked in St. Paul. The highlights this week were Farm Bureau Day, Small Business Development Day, Alzheimer's Day, Bemidji Day, and Tuesday was National Ag Day. Did you know that 1.5% of our population feeds the other 98.5% of us? Thank a farmer this week!
What We're Watching
House Republicans have taken steps to address a pressing issue by pushing for action on a bill (H.F. 548) aimed at increasing the penalty for transferring a firearm to someone ineligible to possess it, commonly known as "straw purchasers”. This initiative comes in response to news of an indictment filed against an individual who allegedly engaged in straw purchasing of the firearms used in the tragic shooting of three first responders in Burnsville. Despite our efforts to expedite the bill, the House majority voted against taking immediate action on this important matter, but I’m hopeful that we will find a solution this session.
In other news, the Minneapolis City Council made an extreme decision to override the mayor’s veto on their minimum wage ordinance for ride-share drivers. The ordinance, passed last August and requires companies like Uber and Lyft to pay drivers a minimum of $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute, totaling $15.57 per hour after expenses. Previously, drivers were only paid when they had a passenger, earning around $13.63 per hour after expenses. The new ordinance requires drivers to be paid while waiting for passengers and en route to pick them up. Rideshare companies have been clear that this ordinance is unsustainable. In response, Lyft will cease operations in Minneapolis, and Uber will discontinue rides in all seven metro counties starting on May 1st. Without legislative action to fix this issue, extreme Democrats in Minneapolis will have pushed ridesharing out of Minnesota.
Upcoming Legislation
Finally, my teacher pension bill is scheduled for Monday. HF 3808 provides a retirement rule of 92. The retirement improvement is paid for by small increases on a sliding scale by teachers. Any changes to pensions are significantly difficult to make and should always be accompanied by funding. This one provides an option for our career teachers to retire at 62 rather than 65, and as the bill is currently written, members pay the bill. On the same day, a different bill will also be heard that reduces the retirement penalties for teachers under the age of 62. Tune in at 8:30 Monday morning to the MN Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement if you’re interested.