Workers in Minnesota Under Attack

[Angry Dragon]

Posting an OP that Omaha Steve had

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x477599



http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4773

By Michael Kuchta
21 February 2011

ST. PAUL - While media attention has focused on protests against anti-labor legislation in Wisconsin, lawmakers in Minnesota have been quietly putting forth an agenda that would increase corporate giveaways and put a higher burden on working families.

Several bills also attack collective bargaining rights for public service workers. Here is a list of measures, all introduced by Republican legislators in the past month:

• Cut corporate income taxes – even though it makes the state’s budget deficit $200 million worse. (SF1)

• Cut corporate property taxes – even though it squeezes schools and local governments even more. (SF1)

• Extend existing tax breaks for corporations. (HF483) Giving corporations these extra tax breaks means homeowners will have to pick up more of the property tax tab.

• Drive down wages for all workers – and handcuff unions and their members’ power to improve wages, benefits and working conditions – by adding “work for less” loopholes through an amendment to the state constitution. (HF65)

• Cut the state workforce by 15 percent, which will eliminate 5,000 jobs in the middle of a recession. (HF4)

• For state workers whose jobs remain, impose a two-year wage freeze (HF127); increase the threat of privatization (HF53); force them to compete to keep their own jobs (HF192); and pave the way to eliminate their pensions. (SF81)

• Eliminate equal pay for women (HF7, SF282)

[glinda]

1. Every single one would bring less money for elections. Sweet huh?

[CatholicEdHead]

2. I wondered what the MN GOP would do after Emmer lost

If Emmer won, we would probably be in Wisconsin's position right now. Of course most of this has to go through Mark Dayton (thankfully). I eventually expect a type of compromise with Dayton in the end, but the most extreme things will be expected to be bargained away.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. When I talked to him right before his victory was officially announced

(as you recall, I saw him in a restaurant), I advised him to network with Oregon's John Kitzhaber (former governor returned to office last year), who had a simple and effective way of dealing with Republicanite idiocy: he vetoed about 50 bills each session.

[glinda]

4. Something Emmer said kept playing through my mind today.

It was during the election results showing Dayton had won. His response was almost too too honest in the fact that he was sure he had won. In fact he gave the impression that it was surely a mistake and that he was sure he would come out on top. He sounded confused and surprised as if "it was fixed" that he should have won but did not.
I believe that it was set up for him to win but something happened. I refuse to believe that it is just coincidence that there was a Republican sweep that large of a margin. My guess it was in tandem with WI. somehow.
Thank goodness for Mark.

[dflprincess]

5. Not unlike the way the Bush family all sounded confused

when Florida was originally called for Gore.

[glinda]

6. I forgot about that. Right.

[ISUGRADIA]

7. I need proof

If the machines were rigged, why not the governor's race too?

There are those who still thing the 2002 race was rigged for Coleman to win over Mondale which makes no sense to me.

[geardaddy]

8. K & virtual R