|
Hello from the State Capitol,
?
The Minnesota House of Representatives has approved a comprehensive human services bill that, if signed into law, could be detrimental to Minnesotans who are working with a disability.
?
The provision would eliminate the subminimum wage, which was created more than 80 years ago to give disabled residents more opportunities to enter the workforce. The individual hired under this program receives an amount that is less per hour than Minnesota?s minimum wage.
?
In other states where similar programs have been eliminated, the majority party took that choice away without offering a better alternative, which leads to the disabled community losing jobs. It?s just a bad idea.
?
The legislation states that beginning August 1, 2026, no business could hire new employees under a subminimum wage, and beginning August 1, 2028, no employer could pay employees with disabilities a subminimum wage.
?
If this provision becomes law, it will most likely end the rehabilitative and socialization employment programs that were developed to aid more severely developmentally disabled persons. Once that happens, some people with significant disabilities will be unemployed.
?
I have received emails and had conversations with members of the disabled community pleading for this program to remain. These workers want to work and enjoy what they?re doing, and I?m very concerned the House majority is trying to make the program disappear.
?
HOLDING ONTO K-12 TEST SCORES UNTIL AFTER ELECTION DAY
With student test scores getting uglier, it appears the Democrat majority is trying to take away an election issue.
?
Normally the Minnesota Department of Education releases results of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test by September 1. Now, as part of the House Education Policy omnibus bill, they are moving that release date to December 1. Which happens to be after Election Day.
?
In my mind, there?s no reason to make this change other than for political reasons. Less than 50% of Minnesota?s students are reading at grade level. That?s one out of every two kids. The same can be said for math. Only 39% are grade level proficient in science. And yet, the legislative majority carries on as if there?s no problem. Except for the date these statistics are released, apparently.
?
Have a good weekend,
?
Marj
|
