Working for a better future

The 2011 legislative session was a huge disappointment. Even before the 2011 legislative session began in January, it was clear that attempts to set a state budget might end in a deadlock.

Near the end of the session, when Governor Dayton attempted to bring together the two sides, Republican legislative leaders rejected Governor Dayton's offer to "split the difference" and even his suggestion that a mediator be brought in.

The Republican Majority's unwillingness to compromise led to the painful government shutdown – the longest state shutdown in U.S. history. In order to help those most adversely affected by the shutdown, I gave my salary for July to organizations serving vulnerable people – domestic violence programs and childcare programs serving low income families.

While I was pleased that the shutdown ended, I strongly opposed the final budget deal because it used accounting gimmicks to "balance" the budget, along with deep cuts to higher education, health care, and public safety. The budget will result in significantly higher property taxes and cruel cuts affecting Minnesota's most vulnerable people.

Minnesota can do better than this. I will continue pushing for progressive change, to build a future that will make Minnesotans proud.

– I will continue pushing my legislation to create the Minnesota Health Plan. The Minnesota Health Plan (MHP) would be a single, statewide plan that covers all Minnesotans for all their medical needs. Equally important, it would reduce the need for costly medical care through public health, education, prevention and early intervention. It will not only keep people healthier and save them from bankruptcy, but it will help to balance the state budget by reducing health and human service costs, and it will do more to create jobs than anything else proposed in Minnesota or nationally.

– I will fight for passage of my Worker Dignity legislation. Senate File 1328 would treat all workers with dignity, so no full-time worker lives in poverty. In exchange for their hard work, every worker deserves to be able to afford adequate food, shelter, and other necessities. That’s simple fairness.

The number of Minnesota families struggling to meet basic needs is growing sharply. More than three in ten Minnesotans are struggling to meet basic needs. Some workers cannot afford housing and go from their jobs to a homeless shelter at night. Paying workers a living wage is the most important action that can be done to reduce poverty and welfare costs.

My legislation would help workers move from welfare to economic independence by: providing all parents with access to affordable childcare, significantly increasing the minimum wage, and doubling the Working Family Tax Credit received by low income workers. It would also reestablish the MEED (Minnesota Emergency Employment Development) jobs program, a simple but effective initiative that assists small businesses in hiring the unemployed. In combination with the Minnesota Health Plan, SF 1328 would lift all workers and their families out of poverty.

We can build a better future.

John Marty