|
| Date: | November 21, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
|
| Senator Lillie Authors Bill to Ensure Child-Care Assistance Dollars Are Not Diverted to Unions |
Lake Elmo – Senator Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo) has authored a bill to ensure child-care assistance dollars are applied to the care of children instead of being diverted to unions. Representative Kathy Lohmer (R-Lake Elmo) is authoring the bill in the Minnesota State House. Their bill is in response to Governor Mark Dayton’s recent executive order calling for a vote on unionizing all private, independent at-home child care providers. Federal law does not allow payment of union dues or other fees from child-care subsidies it provides. Minnesota lacks such a statute, creating a significant loophole should Governor Dayton’s order lead to the unionization of licensed and legal non-licensed child care providers.
Senator Lillie and Representative Lohmer’s legislation establishes that layer of protection to maintain the integrity of Child Care Assistance Program money.
“There is nothing in existing state law to stop unions from capturing tax payer dollars intended for the care of our kids. We’re taking immediate action to prevent unions from taking those funds from our children. Our bill simply protects money meant for our kids and keeps it out of union hands,” said Senator Lillie.
###
