| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| February 24, 1999 | Jon Peterson (651-296-5989) |
(ST. PAUL) State Representative Rich Stanek's (R-Maple Grove) bill to give residency freedom to city employees has easily passed the both Houses of the Legislature and is one step from becoming law. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Ventura.
The Stanek Bill, House File 133, would repeal laws which allowed the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to require their workers live in the city that employed them. Stanek said that his bill would have a greater impact on Minneapolis, which employs 5500 people and has used residency requirements on and off for years. House File 133 does not affect cities giving incentives to employees who choose to live in the city. The bill passed the House, 94-37, on January 25. It passed the Senate, 44-18, on February 22.
"This is an issue of personal freedom," Rep. Stanek said. "People should be able to choose where they want to live rather than be forced into areas simply because of who employs them. Issuing residency requirements restricts the number of people a city can draw from when hiring. It can also have the effect of forcing families apart by making parents file separate residences, or withdrawing their kids from one school and moving them to another."
Rep. Stanek was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1995. He represents House District 33B, which includes the Maple Grove and Plymouth areas.
-30-