FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Strenge, (651) 296-7633

Senator Dave Thompson

District 58 Serving Dakota County
Office: 131 State Office Bldg., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
For Immediate Release Friday, February 8, 2013

SENATOR THOMPSON RESPONDS TO SENATE PASSAGE OF STATE EMPLOYEE CONTRACTS

(ST. PAUL, MN) On Thursday, February 7, the Minnesota Senate passed a bill ratifying state employee contracts that provide for an additional $246 million in pay over the next two years. Some employees will see a pay increase of 9 percent. State Senator Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville) commented, I want all employees to prosper, whether they work in the private sector or as public servants. However, it is unfair to expect struggling private sector employees and business owners to support public sector salary and benefit structures that are out of line with what is happening in the marketplace. Private employee wages are stagnant, and business owners are just trying to hang on in a lackluster economy. Public employees have experienced continued wage growth through steps and lanes that build in automatic pay increases. We cannot put more resources into government until there is real wage growth and profits in the private sector. ###