The Walz administration says it will implement new state employee contracts with a July 1st raise because the Republican-controlled state Senate could not legally strip out negotiated raises by passing a bill in the closing days of the legislative session. House Deputy Republican Leader Anne Neu objects, “It is irresponsible to provide raises for state employees while we have the largest unemployment since the Great Depression and a massive state budget deficit.”
Brian Aldes with Teamsters Local 320 says the union will never re-negotiate a tentative agreement under political threat. Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says the Governor’s “cavalier decision” to give state workers a raise despite clear direction from the Senate puts a chilling effect on cooperation between the Senate and governor. Gazelka says it’s time for Walz’s emergency COVID powers to end — but it’s doubtful the Democrat-controlled Minnesota House would agree.