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| Date: | April 20, 2012 | | Contact Name: | Susan Closmore | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-5712 | | Contact Email: | susan.closmore@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| Governor Rejects Legislative Efforts to Prevent Child Care Dollars from Being Diverted to Unions |
St. Paul- Governor Mark Dayton announced Friday his rejection of efforts by the legislature to ensure child care assistance dollars are not diverted to unions.
Senate Assistant Majority Leader Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo), chief author of House File 1766 (SF 1630), gave the following statement after the Governor’s veto.
“I am surprised and disappointed by the Governor’s decision to leave dollars meant for the care of our children unprotected from union hands. Our priority is to act as faithful stewards of taxpayer dollars and also to protect private businesses from government overreach. With his veto today, the Governor does nothing to prevent unions from capturing tax payer dollars intended for the care of our children,” said Senator Lillie.
This bill was developed in response to Governor Dayton’s call for an election to unionize child care providers in Minnesota. The Minnesota Senate filed an amicus brief in support of child care providers’ case. On April 6th, 2012, Ramsey County Judge Dale Lindman ruled that Governor Dayton exceeded his authority in ordering a union election for certain in-home child care providers – halting the union election from proceeding and attorneys fees and reasonable costs were awarded to the plaintiffs.
Senate Majority Leader David Senjem (R-Rochester) continued, “the Governor fails to understand the purpose of child care assistance dollars. His veto today takes dollars meant for our kids’ care and potentially diverts them to union coffers. Like his call for an election to unionize child care providers, his actions today indicate that the Governor’s loyalties lie with his union allies. Our priority continues to be growing jobs, reducing taxes and ensuring our state is the best place to raise kids.”
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