Bills last session created jobs in Minnesota

Published 10:59 pm Sunday, August 31, 2008

On Monday, many of us will enjoy an extra day off from our workweek as we join together to celebrate Labor Day, a holiday unlike any other.

This day was created for the sole purpose of celebrating American workers and the many contributions they have made to the strength, prosperity and well being of our country.

Over the past months, we have watched with dismay as thousands of jobs have disappeared from our state. Just last month alone, Minnesota lost 6,800 jobs, putting our unemployment rate higher than the national average.

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One bright spot in all of this is a recent report from Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development. They showed that more jobs are being created in transportation and infrastructure construction sectors than in any other area. This is the direct result of two bills we passed last session — the transportation bill and the bonding bill. Both of these bills are putting Minnesotans back to work — many of them right here in our district.

It’s not just creating new jobs that matters, but also improving wages at existing jobs. Over the past two years, we offered caregivers at nursing homes a 4 percent cost of living adjustment. Our efforts may help some of them stay on the job, where they are needed to care for our loved ones.

Every Labor Day, we need to remind ourselves of the honor and respect that comes with doing an honest day’s work. American workers made our country great, and they continue to provide the energy and momentum that keeps us moving forward. We owe them our thanks, and we must continue our efforts to put more people to work, as well as improve the jobs they are already doing.

Rep. Robin Brown

Moscow Township