Dear Neighbors,
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the case Harris v. Quinn which will directly impact the childcare unionization law in Minnesota.
As you may recall, in 2013 Democrats and Governor Dayton forced through a childcare unionization law in Minnesota that would categorize small, independent childcare providers as state employees for the purposes of unionization.
This law was unneeded, unnecessary and opposed by many parents and childcare providers across Minnesota. It was nothing more than a power grab by union bosses that would result in higher daycare costs to cover union dues or providers turning away children whose parents receive assistance from the state.
I strongly opposed the bill when it moved through the House and voted against it.
Some Minnesota childcare providers filed a court case challenging the constitutionality of the childcare unionization law, and that case (Parrish v. Dayton) was put on hold until the Supreme Court ruled on Harris v. Quinn.
For that case, the high court ruled that homecare workers in Illinois are not public employees and therefore cannot be compelled to join a public employee union. It is now expected that the Minnesota federal court hearing Parrish v. Dayton will overturn the childcare unionization law based on the precedence of the Supreme Court ruling.
This is wonderful news for childcare providers and working parents throughout the state.
As always, thank you for the honor and privilege of being your state representative.
Sincerely,
Bob