By: Michael McIntee, UpTake Reporter

Child care providers say they fear a potential union vote may force them to pay dues despite Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton’s executive order to the contrary. One member of the public, Ellen Hurley of Eden Prairie, tells Senators that their minds are already made up because of their positions on unions.

After the public testimony, the Senate Health and Human Services committee approves the bill that would prevent union dues from coming out of Child Care Assistance Payments.

Senators joust over child care anti-union bill.

Lack of government funding, not union dues are the biggest issue for child care providers says Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville). Senator Marty also sees a bill blocking union dues payments “premature” since there isn’t even a union yet. Senator Sean Nienow (R-Cambridge) says there are too many unanswered questions about what might happen and that’s why a law should be passed. Senator LInda Higgins likens that to the voter photo ID bill.

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