Lawmakers Work on Act to Help Families

Minnesota Lawmakers Work to Help Families

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The Working Parents Act was introduced at the last legislative session as a way to bring more stability to working families and help to develop places of employment that reflect our changing economy.

Some Minnesota legislators believe if the state wants to attract quality people and succeed economically, implementing policies that take care of hardworking Minnesotans and their families need to be more of a priority.

State and Duluth area representatives toured Northern Waters Smokehaus in Canal Park to talk to them about some of the practices they have in place which value their employees.

The eatery pays staff above minimum wage, offers sick pay and helps with insurance.

Policies they believe actually help their bottom line.

“A lot of people think if we raised the minimum wage it’s going to hurt business, it doesn’t hurt business,” Northern Waters Smokehaus owner Eric Goerdt said. “What helps business is taking care of people because they take care of customers.”

State leaders have and will continue to tour other businesses to listen and learn from staff as they define the Working Parents Act.

The proposed bill guarantees employed parents earned sick time, more predictable scheduling, tip fairness for servers along with other changes to help bring more economic security to millions across the state.

“We want to make sure that we have an economy that works for families,” Minnesota House Speaker Paul Thissen said. “That put bread on the table but also be there at the dinner table when dinnertime comes. That’s what this working parents act is really all about.”

Representatives tell FOX 21 they’ll work to move the working parents act even further next legislative session.