Issue Position: Economy

Issue Position

An Economy for Everyone

As our economy slowly recovers from the Great Recession, too many Minnesotans are being left behind. I support a $9.50/hour minimum wage indexed to inflation, the Women's Economic Security Act, protecting the prevailing wage, and continued state investment in infrastructure, transportation, and affordable housing.

Housing

I wholeheartedly supported the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) passed by the 2013 Minnesota Legislature. The law protects homeowners from unfair and unnecessary foreclosures by requiring banks to offer homeowners loan modifications if they are eligible. HBOR bans "dual tracking" so banks can no longer foreclose on homeowners with whom they are negotiating a loan modification. The Act gives homeowners legal standing in court to stop the bank from foreclosing.

I support the expansion of the Homeowners' Bill of Rights to include foreclosure mediation. Such mediation would require banks and homeowners to meet with a mediator in order to find a path to avoid foreclosure. In other cities and states, mediation has been shown to reduce the number of foreclosures, alleviating housing stress and protecting our communities from the negative economic and public safety consequences of widespread foreclosures.

The state should explore all options at its disposal to stop new forms of "redlining," a practice which results in banks making fewer housing loans in communities of color.

Fairness In the Workplace

Labor unions are the reason America has a middle class. I proudly support the right of all workers to organize and collectively bargain with their employers.

I support the Equal Pay provision of the Women's Economic Security Act, which would require state contractors with more than 40 employees performing work of $500,000 or more to certify that men and women who do the same work receive the same pay.

Child care in Minnesota is among the most expensive in the nation and constitutes a real barrier to employment. I support expand the Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance Program which helps families pay for child care while they look for work, go to work, or receive training or education relating to future employment. I also support an increased reimbursement rates for child care providers participating in the Child Care Assistance Program.

Parents shouldn't have to make the choice between caring for a sick child or themselves and losing a day's pay. I support passing legislation to allowing workers to earn 1 hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked. I also believe we should expand the Minnesota Parental Leave Act from 6 to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

No worker should face discrimination because they care for a loved one. I support measures to prohibit employers from discriminating against workers with children or elder care duties in hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation decisions.

Addressing Gender and Racial Disparities in Employment

Any project that receives public funding, including bonding projects, should have hiring goals designs to close the racial and gender jobs gap. Companies receiving state money should be held accountable for meeting those goals, particularly those companies whose work contributes to the new Vikings stadium and other subsidized sports facilities.

Similar goals should apply to the selection of women- and minority-owned businesses for state contracts.

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