2024 Legislative Priorities
Join Laborers to tell our state leaders that every year is the year to keep up our infrastructure and create living wage construction careers.
Strengthen Safety for Broadband Workers and Infrastructure
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans lack reliable high-speed internet services. While Minnesota invests $1 billion in closing the digital divide, broadband workers face low wages, minimal benefits, inadequate training, and high turnover. Unsurprisingly, broadband installation is a leading cause of – damage to gas, electric, and other utility lines. The Legislature must require broadband companies to use a skilled workforce, hold companies responsible for unsafe practices, and target public investment toward projects that provide family-supporting jobs and are built to last.
Prevent Exploitation on Publicly Financed Housing Projects
Minnesota faces a critical shortage of affordable housing. State and local governments are stepping up to finance new projects. Still, too often, we see public money handed to irresponsible developers who build projects on the backs of vulnerable workers. The Legislature has a duty to protect construction workers by requiring developers that receive public funds to hire responsible contractors and prevent tax fraud, wage theft and exploitation.
Strengthen Worker Protections and Apprenticeship Pathways
Construction careers provide pathways to a better life for thousands of men and women whobuild Minnesota. Yet, for some, the opportunity feels out of reach, either because they come from communities that are underrepresented or because their employers underpay or cheat them. Despite recent progress, the Legislature can do more to strengthen labor laws, modernize apprenticeship standards, close misclassification loopholes, and leverage public investment to create more inclusive career pathways.
Catch Up and Keep Up Our Infrastructure
Communities across Minnesota urgently require infrastructure investment, beginning with failing wastewater treatment plants, lead service lines, and inadequate stormwater systems that threaten our public health and undermine local economies. Crumbling infrastructure will continue to hold communities back without ongoing action. Minnesotans are counting on bipartisan support for a balanced local jobs and projects bill that keeps up the momentum to fix our water systems, roads, bridges and public assets.
