Sandra Masin's Blog

It is essential that both our federal and state governments get their financial houses in order. Our future depends on making the right choices. David Brooks made some interesting comments on this topic recently in his article, The Freedom Alliance.  In particular,  his suggestion to “reform the tax code to foster growth and produce more revenue” deserves scrutiny.

This is one subject area I have much passion about.  Any effort to keep gender bias out of the pay setting practices in the public and private sector employers is a good thing.  Market rates are not a system of values — they are full of bias of all kinds.  I sent a letter to the editor of the Star Tribune recently that got partially printed.  Here are my reasons for not supporting the repeal of pay equity — a law that was passed in 1984:

The law continues to put money in the pockets of hard-working women working in public sector jobs.

The pay equity law requires employers to fairly treat their employees in terms of wage setting.

Other anti-discrimination laws require employees to sue their bosses to get fair pay.  Minnesota’s pay equity law allows for correction without going to the disruption of expensive law suits.

Pay equity is based on the job’s value to an employer, regardless of gender, based on objective criteria such as know how, problem solving, accountability, and working conditions.

Jobs are paid based on their job value.

When patterns of paying women less than men for doing jobs of similar value employers (local units of governments) must make salary adjustments to comply with the law.

An article by Tim Pugmire of Minnesota Public Radio.  Here’s the link to the article and an excerpt:

“It really doesn’t make any sense to me that the Republicans would repeal legal protections that help us make this progress and help our local government s stay accountable in terms of equality for work for equal pay,” Knuth said. “I don’t know why they would want to repeal these laws when we still haven’t achieved full equality in the workforce in terms of pay.”

Please watch this video. This is the Minnesota State Senate at work. The Republican leadership refuse to answer questions about a major bill. Is this what people expected when they elected these people? Can anyone call this responsible leadership?

Dalton Conley and Jacqueline Stevens have been getting media attention lately with their idea that  a larger House of Representatives would be one way to diminish the impact of special interests and to lessen the amount of campaign spending.   While I can see how that might be accomplished, the ability of a larger body to function better leaves some room for doubt.  However, they are right about the elected officials having more of an impact and it is a discussion worth having.  Here is the article http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/opinion/24conley.html?adxnnl=1&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1295982595-0CY906PECpIpTfT1/zHgxw&pagewanted=print

David Brooks has written an insightful column on civility, a concept that has received a lot of attention since the tragedy in Tucson.  As I interpret his comments, he makes the observation that civility is based on tradition and that those who rank their individual needs above those of the community’s do not seem capable of behaving in a civil manner.   To carry this thought a step further, I try to equate the wish for bipartisan behavior by elected officials while electing officials who refuse to cooperate or compromise.  The same for  condoning negative campaign ads and yet voting for those that benefit from those ads.

Here is the column.

Governor Dayton is off to a great start at being a governor to all the people.   One of his first acts was to sign the early admission to the federal health care reform  This will help those who desperately need help and can  be a boon to Minnesota’s financial situation.   Second, by giving the dissenters at the signing a chance to voice their opinions,  he showed that he tries to be respectful of all constituents.  Last, the Inaugural Event was arranged so that all could be comfortable in attending.

How nice to have a leader who is respectful to all  and who is conciliatory.

MICAH will be meeting on Monday, January 10 at Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville at 6:15 P.M.  Affordable housing is getting to be even more critical in these challenging economic times.  See here info about MICAH.

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Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!