February 13th, 2017

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

It’s been an exciting week at the Capitol. I have two main updates I’d like to share.

Easing Red Tape for Small Businesses

Last week, the Senate Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth passed major legislation to streamline labor regulations in Minnesota.

Currently, each local government passes its own employment laws relating to hours, wages, and benefits. This creates variances in labor standards across Minnesota and leaves small businesses to navigate through a patchwork of inconsistent workplace laws.

This is very costly for those mom-and-pop companies that manage a couple locations throughout the metro area. It also leaves employees confused when a simple relocation leads to a pay cut or a reduction in hours.  

The Uniform State Labor Standards Act will allow the Legislature to set labor standards for all businesses throughout Minnesota. It remedies the confusing and conflicting employment laws that plague small businesses and restores fairness and competition in the market by setting consistent standards for all to comply.

MSFA Violates Basic Ethics & Steals Taxpayer Dollars  

On Tuesday I was able to participate in a joint hearing of Senate and House State Government Finance Committees to review the results of an investigation into the use of two suites at the U.S. Bank Stadium by the Metropolitan Sports Facility Authority (MSFA).

The MSFA was to utilize these two taxpayer-funded suites at the Vikings stadium to host businesses looking to invest in our economy. Instead, officials – Governor Dayton’s appointees – were giving away tickets to their friends and family to enjoy for their own personal use. This gross misuse of authority led to an investigation by Minnesota’s Legislative Auditor, which confirmed that the MSFA broke basic ethical code by using their public office for personal benefit.

MSFA officials exploited taxpayers, giving exclusive access to what was designated as a public facility to a small number of cronies. Their responses lacked transparency, giving vague and confusing responses to the Legislative Auditor’s questioning and accusing the Legislature reaction of being “judgmental.”

I questioned the Commissioner of MSFA, Michele Kelm-Helgen, about how much money was actually taken from taxpayers. These luxury suites are highly valued, and the public was cheated out of economic opportunity that could have resulted from strategic marketing at the Stadium. Meanwhile, the Vikings could have sold those suites to fans at a high price.

Watch this video clip to hear my thoughts from the Committee: https://youtu.be/vr2Yvp9QqcU

I was glad to participate in this hearing to bring about more transparency and accountability into government agencies. There is no need for private suites at all. My hope is that these suites will go back to the Vikings and be sold to fans. In the meantime, the Legislature will be taking the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor to increase oversight of the MSFA.

More great ideas to improve our district are on the way – Stay Tuned!

This session I am taking opportunities to sponsor bill that make structural changes to the foundation of government, which will encourage more effective use of resources and greater accountability.

Soon I will be introducing two bills I am chief authoring that will make a positive impact on our community. Tune in next week for more details!

Thank you for taking a moment to read this legislative update. Please feel free to contact my office with any feedback. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Sincerely,