First Week of Session
The 2012 Legislative Session began this Tuesday, with commitments from legislative leaders that it will be a short session, with the goal of ending by April 2. The biggest issues of this session are likely to be constitutional amendments, a bonding bill, and a Vikings stadium.
Of most concern to MNA are constitutional amendments that will hurt working families. We are again dealing with a divided government, with the Senate and House in Republican control, and a Democratic governor. The legislative majorities, anticipating that Governor Dayton would veto a number of their more controversial priorities, have chosen a strategy that bypasses the Governor and asks the voters to write policy changes directly into the constitution.
- “Right to Work” Amendment: Rather than creating jobs, this deceptively-named amendment would weaken unions, result in a pay cut for workers, gut our contracts, and worst of all, take away nurses’ ability to advocate for our patients. You can learn much more about Right to Work here. MNA is working with our allies in the labor movement and legislators from both parties to stop this amendment.
- Budget Amendments: Amendments have been introduced that would require a supermajority of legislators to raise taxes or use reserve funds, or would restrict lawmakers from using available resources. These amendments would make the gridlock at the Capitol even worse, increase the use of budget gimmicks and ultimately would damage Minnesota’s economy. Much more information is available from the Minnesota Budget Project.
Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact
The Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact is a way for nurses to practice in another party state (a state participating in the compact) without obtaining a nursing license in that state. While this may sound like a good idea, MNA is very concerned that the Compact will hurt patient safety, won’t increase access to health care or address the nursing shortage, and will take away Minnesota’s ability to regulate the nurses practicing here. We are also concerned that the Compact will allow health care corporations to move large numbers of nurses across state lines under the regulatory radar, in order to intimidate nurses trying to organize or bargain a contract.
We are hearing that this bill is a major priority this year for some of the biggest health care corporations in the state and it will undoubtedly be up for more public debate in the next months. Stay tuned.
Criminal Neglect of Vulnerable Adults
You may have read a recent news story about a case of neglect of a vulnerable adult. Minnesota vulnerable adult neglect laws are weaker than other states, so Senator Warren Limmer and Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman recently announced new legislation that would make it a felony to neglect a vulnerable adult.
As nurses, there is nothing more important to us than ensuring our patients- especially the most vulnerable- are protected and given the best medical care and treatment possible. While we fully support increasing penalties for those neglecting a vulnerable adult, we are worried that inadequate staffing inside our hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities will inadvertently put a nurse in a situation where she or he is unable to provide adequate care for all of their patients. This could lead to severe penalties for nurses in a situation that they have no control over.
MNA will be meeting with Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to discuss alternatives to this legislation that will encourage safer staffing models and protect the reputation of nurses who trying to serve each patient to the best of their ability.
View a video of the Pre-Session Rally, featuring MNA President Linda Hamilton
Nurses Day on the Hill
Nurses will be bringing patient advocacy from the bedside to the Capitol on Tuesday, February 28. We’ll brief you on the issues and make appointments for you to meet your legislators with other nurses from your area.
- Monday, February 27, 2012 – Member Education Program, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 28, 2012 – Capitol Visits and Action, Start at 8:00 a.m., Action at 12:30 p.m.
So much of patient safety and nursing practice policy is decided at the state capitol. If we don’t advocate for our patients and our profession, no one else will. You can find more information and sign up here.
Welcome MNA’s Newest Government Affairs Team Members
In the last few months, MNA has welcomed three new staff members who will be working on Government Affairs. Shannon Cunningham is our new lobbyist, and Grant Bendix and Julia Donnelly are our new Political Organizers. The full team is:
Andrea Ledger, Director of Political and Legislative Action
Carrie Mortrud, RN, Government Affairs Specialist
Shannon Cunningham, Government Affairs Specialist
Geri Katz, Metro Area Political and Community Organizer
Grant Bendix, Northern Minnesota Political and Community Organizer
Julia Donnelly, Southern Minnesota Political and Community Organizer
Eileen Gavin, Government Affairs Administrative Assistant
If you are interested in getting more involved in MNA’s policy advocacy, please contact the political organizer who works in your region.