1. Legislative Results 2017

2. Legislative Report The unthinkable happened Tuesday, May 23
While negotiating the bill to fund state agencies, Republicans slipped in language to cripple the right of state employees to bargain wage increases and health insurance
The change would force us to negotiate with the Legislature, making it nearly impossible to get a contract
Minnesota is not Wisconsin because we beat back the attack in three days

3. Senate Removes Poison Pill
May 25 at 8:16 p.m.

4. House Passes Clean Bill
May 25 at 9:53 p.m.

5. Legislative Wins Collective Bargaining / PELRA Budget & Bonding
Safe Staffing
No Private Prisons
Paid Parental Leave Ratified
State Aid to Cities and Counties
Local Control
Pensions

6. Win: Collective Bargaining
We removed the poison pill to preserve the Public Employment Labor Relations Act. Without that strong protection, employers could do just about anything they want to public workers.

7. Win: Budget
We beat back the GOP proposal to layoff 3,500 state employees. Governor Dayton prevailed with funding for all state agencies that pays for the work we do.

8. Win: Safe Staffing
We won funding to help DHS hire more staff: $22M for St. Peter Security Hospital, $10M for MSOCS group homes, and funding to operate a new CABHS facility in Willmar.  

9. Win: Bonding
We won $70M to expand the Security Hospital in St. Peter; $27M to improve Sex Offender Treatment facilities in Moose Lake and St. Peter; $7.5M for a new CABHS facility in Willmar; and $2.25M for safety renovations at AMRTC.

10. Win: Bonding
We won $19 million to construct a new intake unit and loading dock at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud.

11. Win: No Private Prisons
We watered down language that would require DOC to reopen the private prison in Appleton. Now the commissioner may not expand bed capacity without submitting to the legislature an appraisal estimating the market value of the existing prison.

12. Win: Parental Leave
Six weeks of Paid Parental Leave for state employees (not court employees) was ratified by the House and Senate. It went into effect, despite Gov. Dayton’s veto of the “preemption” bill. Expect GOP to sue.

13. Win: State Aid to Cities
Our coalition won a $15 million annual increase for three years of Local Government Aid. That pays for our parks, libraries, police and firefighters. It prevents city layoffs and holds down property taxes.

14. Win: State Aid to Counties
Our coalition won a $20 million annual increase for County Program Aid. That aid will help our larger counties shoulder the Medicare and Medicaid cuts coming from the Trump Administration.

15. Win: Local Control
Local Control triumphed over Corporate Interference when Gov. Dayton vetoed a Republican bill to stop cities from requiring employers to offer paid time off or a $15 minimum wage.

16. Win: Pensions
Good news: No pension changes or hybrid plans. We were visible and vocal at the Pension Commission. That vigilance protected our retirement security.

17. Win: No Shutdown

18. 2018 Session Pension Sustainability Child Protection Higher Education
Transportation

19. Unfinished Business: Pensions Sustainability
Bad news: MSRS reforms did not pass. We still need shared sacrifice to sustain our pensions for the extra two years we are living.

20. Unfinished Business: Child Protection
Child protection workers put their caseload concerns on the Legislature’s radar. We continue to push for funding to help counties hire, train and retain case workers, investigators and screeners.

21. Concern: Transportation
Gov. Dayton signed the GOP transportation bill. It’s inadequate for roads, bridges and transit. It underfunds our maintenance, design and inspection work. With no new revenue, it robs $320M from the General Fund.

22. Concern: Higher Education
Minnesota State will get an increase of $106M for the next two years, the U of M will get $54M. That’s not enough to offset tuition freezes suggested by the Legislature. Layoffs may result.

23. Governor Dayton’s Message
Republicans put big businesses and the wealthy few ahead of regular Minnesotans
Republicans insisted there wasn’t enough funding to invest in health care, our schools and tax breaks for working families
Instead they gave away millions to big tobacco, giant corporations and the estates of multi-millionaires

24. Governor Dayton’s Message
Republicans imposed regulations on driver’s licenses and teacher licensure, making our roads less safe and our teachers less ready to help kids learn
Republicans left work with a big mess and they shouldn’t get paid until the job gets done
Gov. Dayton is calling on legislators to come back and finish their work and put the needs of regular Minnesotans first

25. AFSCME: Politics Matters
AFSCME members need to be visible and vocal at the Capitol. Politicians know we’re watching and will hold them accountable.
Speaker Daudt showed us what Republican leadership looks like. They put the wealthy few ahead of everyone else. Their real cuts cause real pain for our families.
Our wages, benefits and rights depend on electing a pro-worker governor and a pro-worker House in 2018.