u/bughead4242

I recently read through some city council agendas, and I’m looking for help understanding the wording about contracts and/or amendments in the agendas. 

For example if a vote is asking for “an increase to contract #12345 with Company X, LLC or organization X, in the amount of $2,000,000 for a total amount not to exceed $15,000,000, and an extension through December 31, 2026, for services.” 

Referencing the above, if passed by the city council and approved by the mayor does the above contract mean the company can request amendments for an additional $13,000,000 (not to exceed the $15,000.000)? Also, where do residents find the proposed work plans and a copy of the contract and subsequent amendments?

I’m adding this post to hear input from primarily sole proprietors and anyone else with thoughts about paid family leave.
My spouse owns an independent therapy company, and we live in one of the 13 states that operate paid family leave. After talking with my spouse and friends/colleagues in similar situations, I have a sense as a sole proprietor this creates an undue financial burden on an independent therapist because they would never benefit from the policy. Essentially paying for something they would never use.
If my spouse applies for paid leave, and is absent, for example six weeks the likelihood of most of her clients leaving is high. Her clients’ mental health needs don’t take a break. They require continuity and ongoing support.  If she loses 60-70% of her clients, essentially she needs to start over.  And what if a therapist has an agreement with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? My understanding is if a therapist is not actively picking clients from an EAP they will lose that lucrative contract.  Not to mention any agreements with insurance companies may be frowned upon. This has added pressure to an already burned-out profession. 
I agree in spirit with the program - I had a niece benefit from the dollars. And I believe therapists in situations like my spouse should be given an exemption by the state government because they will never benefit from the program.  Unless I'm missing something?  

Since the pandemic, the Walz/Flanagan administration advocated lowering hiring standards in state government to fill employment needs and give people a foothold into government work. At face value a noble idea. 
With that policy fast-forward to 2026 and I’ve observed some trends in state government.  First, with the lowered standards, HR (and MMB) are taking advantage of this policy because it saves salary expectations for the state employees. A tactic that hurts all employees.  There is even a drumbeat to lower job classifications by MMB and reduce pay of current employees (I’m sure the union will have something to say about this topic). 
 
Some of my colleagues and I believe the Dept of Human Services’ HR department thinks all Medicaid is the same and anyone can do whatever job. I have a public policy background with emphasis in child development/support, I don’t have the background in say housing. All Medicaid is not the same.  It’s complex.   
 
Second, I’ve noticed most of the job descriptions related to supervisor roles no longer require a college degree.  Just a few years ago almost all supervisor or managerial roles required a degree and most even a masters. I work with several colleagues with a master’s from the Humphrey school or folks with advanced degrees from St. Kate’s in say social work among other programs/degrees. I remember when I went to the Humphrey school along w/ friends from the school of public health at the U of M those programs advertised to students they can find jobs in local, state and federal government. I guess if I was an institution promoting government jobs, I would be worried by the lower standards at the state.
 
The intention of my note is not to disparage anyone that did not complete college. I know dolts that went to college, and the research shows college graduates bring more soft skills, interpersonal skills, hard skills (e.g. evaluation development, how to write an issue paper, structured government report, etc.) to be successful. My concern is this cheapens college degrees and reinforces the war on higher education.