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.

Download LIUNA's 2024 Legislative Priorities

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.

Download explainers linked below for a deeper dive into LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota's legislative priorities.

Strengthen Safety for Broadband Workers

Prevent Exploitation on Publicly-Financed Housing Projects

Subsidizing Abuse by NorthStar Policy Action

Replace Lead Service Lines

Transformational Funding for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

 

 

 

Legislative Updates

Minnesota’s Infrastructure Union Backs Harris-Walz, Klobuchar, Craig, and Bipartisan Group of Pro-Worker Candidates

Via NPR. At a Philadelphia campaign rally, Vice President Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, took center stage. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington...

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Nation’s Most Pro-Job, Pro-Working Family Legislature Delivers for Minnesotans

Saint Paul, MN – As the 2024 Legislative Session comes to an end today, Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota released the following statement. “The 2023-2024...

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Minnesota’s Infrastructure Union Commends State Senate for Passing Needed Permitting Reform

Saint Paul, MN – Today, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota President and Business Manager Joel Smith issued the following statement in response to the Minnesota State Senate passing needed permitting...

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Minnesota’s Infrastructure Union Urges State Leaders to Keep Moving Forward and Fixing Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN – Today, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota President and Business Manager Joel Smith issued the following statement in response to the state's projected surplus of $3.7 billion,...

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