MN government return to office order kicks in as shutdown layoffs loom

Gov Tim Walz s order for state employees to return to the office at least half-time went into effect this week as Minnesota governing body workers started receiving warnings of possible layoffs if the Legislature fails to pass a budget by the end of June Parking lots around the state Capitol complex appeared slightly fuller than usual Monday as the requirement kicked in for the main offices of chosen agencies based in St Paul though multiple agencies won t have to return to the office more until later this summer John Wilson an economist with the state Department of Transportation declared he had already been working at the office largest part days but his office has gotten much busier Work hasn t changed much for Wilson for now But the prospect of temporary layoffs next month looms over his head He s worked for MnDOT for years and remembers the -day executive shutdown in when the GOP-controlled Legislature and Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov Mark Dayton couldn t reach an agreement on the budget Everybody says well you know there s no sign it will come to that but I remember it felt like that last time Wilson announced I certainly wouldn t place my bets now Session ended without budget passing The Department of Transportation is one of a great number of state agencies that will run out of funding after June It s been two weeks since state lawmakers ended the regular legislative session without passing all of a roughly billion two-year budget Areas that make up two-thirds of the budget Physical condition Human Services and K- Mentoring don t have new funding yet either However corrections and population safety budget bills have been passed Legislative leaders from the DFL majority Senate and the House tied between the DFL and Republicans say a final budget is close and could pass in a special session by the end of the week Most of conversations have been happening in private meetings though lawmakers have provided signed agreements for big spending areas like mentoring and healthcare It comes after several delays When the regular session ended on May House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman commented she hoped to get a budget done before layoff notices went out But the process has already started Minnesota has already narrated employees that they could be temporarily out of a job a month from now if the Legislature doesn t pass a new two-year budget according to Patrick Hogan a spokesman with Minnesota Management and Budget The first group to get notices was represented by the Minnesota Nurses Association and more could follow If there isn t any action by June thousands more will receive messages according to MMB Union opposes return to office order The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees which represents around state employees opposes the return to office order and is holding informational rallies at the Capitol on Tuesday and Wednesday this week as it continues to negotiate a new contract with the state MAPE which has disclosed a strike is not off the table over the return to work order also called on state leaders to overcome political gridlock and pass a budget amid continued uncertainty about funding at the federal level as well These notices may be conditional but the harm is real Workers will have to prepare for lost income disrupted lives and a governing body shutdown that would impact every Minnesotan who relies on general services union president Megan Dayton reported in a fresh declaration We hoped our elected executives in Minnesota would serve as a barrier to the dysfunction and chaos coming out of Washington MAPE has commented it s concerned about disruptions to families who have adjusted to flexible schedules and caring for children at home They re also concerned about whether there will be enough office space after years of remote work Agencies including the Department of Human Services Strength and Revenue have gotten exemptions to the June return date Order intended to boost collaboration organizational society This spring Walz ordered administration workers to analysis to the office at least of the time if they live within miles of their workplace in a move that state employee unions claimed caught them by surprise Originally the range was miles but the governor reduced the distance in April Around of state employees already worked in person and did so throughout the pandemic according to the governor s office The state has about employees The governor has disclosed his order aims to boost collaboration and help state agencies build better organizational cultures The move is also supported by businesses in downtown St Paul who say they ve struggled from the post-pandemic shift in work styles It s yet to be seen just how much the return to office order will affect downtown but St Paul Downtown Alliance president Joe Spencer reported businesses are excited to have more workers back There are a lot of great things about working in downtown especially in the summertime he disclosed So hopefully they find a welcome reception and they indeed feel our enthusiasm to have them back in the office Related Articles Ramsey County Economic Improvement Authority to allow flexibility on housing projects Special session looms as Minnesota lawmakers narrow remaining budget obstacles Letters St Paul should take care of what it has before spending on new things Derrick Thompson s trial begins in deaths of women Letters Stop with the antisemitism