Legislative Update from Rep. Michael V. Nelson

Friends and neighbors, 

Well, we knew the snow would come eventually! Last week was especially busy at the Capitol. We've continued crafting solutions to make our state work better for everyone and help Minnesotans have the economic security they deserve.  

In the Labor Committee, we’re putting together a policy package to improve working conditions, strengthen protections, and address pay inequality. Here are some of the highlights: 

• Updating the minimum wage to match the small employer wage to the standard wage. With this change, no matter your employer, the minimum wage will be set at $10.85 statewide. We also are making changes to the formula to better account for inflation.  
• Requiring all job postings to include a salary range. This is a vital step in striving for pay equality. This transparency will put jobseekers, especially women, in a stronger negotiating position and will help them to identify genuine professional opportunities. It could also help employers attract a larger and better-suited pool of applicants.
• Closing loopholes allowing “shadow” noncompetes. This bill will build upon last year’s legislation to address this issue, closing a few loopholes that effectively acted as noncompete clauses.  
• Repealing a rule that allowed restaurants and other employers to charge servers credit card fees, often taken out of tips. 

State of the State

Last Tuesday, Governor Walz delivered his sixth State of the State address in Owatonna, MN at the high school. Many of his words rang incredibly true – though we made historic progress for Minnesota last session, there’s still much to be done. We’re on track to make Minnesota the best place to raise a family, but our work is not finished.    

Ramadan Murabak and Happy Easter!

To all of those who celebrated holidays this past weekend and next, I hope you were able to gather with friends and families and have a joyful celebration.  

Keep in Touch

To stay up to date with our important work at the State Capitol, you can see the Minnesota House of Public Information Services’ nonpartisan recaps of high-profile bills, committee hearings, and floor sessions with their Session Daily publication. 

To share your input or ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance, please feel free to reach out at rep.michael.nelson@house.mn.gov or 651-296-3751, and I will be happy to help.  

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 Have a great weekend.  

In solidarity,  

Michael V. Nelson