That\'s the analysis by unions and pro-worker organizations that urged lawmakers to act on a number of issues, including education, health care, transportation and jobs.
"The 2008 legislative session brought progress for working families," said Ray Waldron, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state\'s largest labor federation. "It was great to see legislators putting people before parties"
Waldron thanked lawmakers for passing a strong bonding bill, securing property tax relief for working families and negotiating with Pawlenty to make health care available to 12,000 more Minnesotans.
In all, Pawlenty vetoed 34 bills – the most by any Minnesota governor since World War II. But his veto of the transportation bill early in the session did not stand. Lawmakers, including both DFLers and Republicans, overrode the veto and approved the first gas tax increase in 20 years. The legislation provides $6.6 billion for roads, bridges and mass transit over the next 10 years.
Citing poor management and lack of overnight, lawmakers booted Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau out of her dual role as commissioner of transportation, a move widely applauded by unions.
Lawmakers made another key investment by approving $925 million in bonding for construction projects, including expansion of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center and buildings at state colleges and universities around the state. Pawlenty vetoed some of the projects, including $70 million for the Central Corridor light rail line, but the light rail funding was restored in legislation passed just before adjournment.
The country\'s deepening economic recession overshadowed the legislative debate, as lawmakers struggled to close a projected $1 billion gap in the state budget. They did so through a combination of spending budget reserves, closing a corporate tax loophole and making cuts. Programs in health and human services were hardest hit.
However, Pawlenty\'s attempt to raid the Heath Care Access Fund of $250 million was negotiated down to $50 million, allowing 12,000 more families to receive health insurance through the state-sponsored MinnesotaCare program.
Lawmakers also found a small amount of money to help schools around the state that are facing program cuts and staff layoffs, allocating an across-the-board increase of 1 percent, or $51 per pupil, for the 2008-09 school year.
Pawlenty vetoed legislation to impose a one-year moratorium on foreclosures, giving homeowners time to renegotiate loans. The law would have helped some 12,000 Minnesota families who will lose their homes this year due to predatory lending practices and rapidly escalating subprime loans.
Low-income workers were hit with Pawlenty\'s veto pen when he struck down legislation to raise the minimum wage to $7.75 an hour next year. The JOBS NOW Coalition said Pawlenty lost an opportunity to put more money in the pockets of working families and give the economy a boost.
Pawlenty also vetoed a non-binding legislative resolution supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to join unions. See related story
Other key actions of the 2008 session:
Local Government Aid – DFLers pushed hard for more state aid to support local government services; they got $42 million more for cities, plus $22 million more for counties. AFSCME said the aid will help maintain vital public services and avoid some job losses.
Property tax relief – Lawmakers allocated an additional $25 million in direct refunds for homeowners.
Mall of America expansion project – Legislators rejected a labor-backed proposal to provide bonding for a major mall expansion, opting instead to allow local taxes to be used. The mall said it would study the proposal before deciding whether to move ahead on the project, which would create thousands of jobs.
Statewide health insurance pool for school districts – For the second year in a row, Pawlenty vetoed the pool, which Education Minnesota supports as a way to cut health care costs and maintain quality. "Larger pools save money. They mitigate the effects of unforeseen catastrophic care. They spread the risk. They do everything a good insurance pool should do," said Mary Cathryn Ricker, president of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers. "Tim Pawlenty has left taxpayers in every school district extremely vulnerable with this veto."
Pay increases for long-term care workers – Workers employed at long-term care facilities across Minnesota will see a wage increase of 1%, plus a one-time, 1% bonus, after unions and other members of "Seniors and Workers for Quality" pushed hard against Pawlenty\'s plan to provide no increase. "A 1% increase -- that\'s not the true cost of living, given how the price of food and fuel have gone up for folks," noted Tara Widner, staff representative for the United Steelworkers, who represent many long-term care workers.
Future budget deficits – Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged they will face more tough decisions next year. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said the projected 2010-11 biennial deficit is somewhere between $1 billion and $2 billion.
Related story
Pawlenty vetoes resolution backing Employee Free Choice Act
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That\’s the analysis by unions and pro-worker organizations that urged lawmakers to act on a number of issues, including education, health care, transportation and jobs.
"The 2008 legislative session brought progress for working families," said Ray Waldron, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state\’s largest labor federation. "It was great to see legislators putting people before parties"
Waldron thanked lawmakers for passing a strong bonding bill, securing property tax relief for working families and negotiating with Pawlenty to make health care available to 12,000 more Minnesotans.
In all, Pawlenty vetoed 34 bills – the most by any Minnesota governor since World War II. But his veto of the transportation bill early in the session did not stand. Lawmakers, including both DFLers and Republicans, overrode the veto and approved the first gas tax increase in 20 years. The legislation provides $6.6 billion for roads, bridges and mass transit over the next 10 years.
Citing poor management and lack of overnight, lawmakers booted Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau out of her dual role as commissioner of transportation, a move widely applauded by unions.
Lawmakers made another key investment by approving $925 million in bonding for construction projects, including expansion of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center and buildings at state colleges and universities around the state. Pawlenty vetoed some of the projects, including $70 million for the Central Corridor light rail line, but the light rail funding was restored in legislation passed just before adjournment.
The country\’s deepening economic recession overshadowed the legislative debate, as lawmakers struggled to close a projected $1 billion gap in the state budget. They did so through a combination of spending budget reserves, closing a corporate tax loophole and making cuts. Programs in health and human services were hardest hit.
However, Pawlenty\’s attempt to raid the Heath Care Access Fund of $250 million was negotiated down to $50 million, allowing 12,000 more families to receive health insurance through the state-sponsored MinnesotaCare program.
Lawmakers also found a small amount of money to help schools around the state that are facing program cuts and staff layoffs, allocating an across-the-board increase of 1 percent, or $51 per pupil, for the 2008-09 school year.
Pawlenty vetoed legislation to impose a one-year moratorium on foreclosures, giving homeowners time to renegotiate loans. The law would have helped some 12,000 Minnesota families who will lose their homes this year due to predatory lending practices and rapidly escalating subprime loans.
Low-income workers were hit with Pawlenty\’s veto pen when he struck down legislation to raise the minimum wage to $7.75 an hour next year. The JOBS NOW Coalition said Pawlenty lost an opportunity to put more money in the pockets of working families and give the economy a boost.
Pawlenty also vetoed a non-binding legislative resolution supporting the Employee Free Choice Act, federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to join unions. See related story
Other key actions of the 2008 session:
Local Government Aid – DFLers pushed hard for more state aid to support local government services; they got $42 million more for cities, plus $22 million more for counties. AFSCME said the aid will help maintain vital public services and avoid some job losses.
Property tax relief – Lawmakers allocated an additional $25 million in direct refunds for homeowners.
Mall of America expansion project – Legislators rejected a labor-backed proposal to provide bonding for a major mall expansion, opting instead to allow local taxes to be used. The mall said it would study the proposal before deciding whether to move ahead on the project, which would create thousands of jobs.
Statewide health insurance pool for school districts – For the second year in a row, Pawlenty vetoed the pool, which Education Minnesota supports as a way to cut health care costs and maintain quality. "Larger pools save money. They mitigate the effects of unforeseen catastrophic care. They spread the risk. They do everything a good insurance pool should do," said Mary Cathryn Ricker, president of the St. Paul Federation of Teachers. "Tim Pawlenty has left taxpayers in every school district extremely vulnerable with this veto."
Pay increases for long-term care workers – Workers employed at long-term care facilities across Minnesota will see a wage increase of 1%, plus a one-time, 1% bonus, after unions and other members of "Seniors and Workers for Quality" pushed hard against Pawlenty\’s plan to provide no increase. "A 1% increase — that\’s not the true cost of living, given how the price of food and fuel have gone up for folks," noted Tara Widner, staff representative for the United Steelworkers, who represent many long-term care workers.
Future budget deficits – Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged they will face more tough decisions next year. Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis, said the projected 2010-11 biennial deficit is somewhere between $1 billion and $2 billion.
Related story
Pawlenty vetoes resolution backing Employee Free Choice Act