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State Representative David Dill
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2190
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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The Job and Economic Development Report Passes the House
The Job and Economic Development Report Passes the House
Former Ainsworth workers would win in battle over unemployment benefits
ST PAUL-- The Minnesota House of Representatives approved a Jobs and Economic Development Conference Committee report today on a vote of 74 to 57 that invests in programs to create and retain jobs on the Iron Range and throughout the state. The bill would also help those recently unemployed in Cook County.
After the Ainsworth Lumber Co. plant closed in January, many of the former workers started receiving unemployment. Then the plant decided to give the workers a severance package. During these tough economic times, the severance was a welcomed relief to the workers. However, the Department of Employment and Economic Development now wants the workers to pay back the benefits that they have received before the severance package was distributed.
The conference committee comprised of members of the House and Senate agreed that the state should let the former employees keep the benefits that they have earned before the severance. The measure makes benefits received retroactive to the year 2008, this would cover the former employees of Ainsworth.
"The plant’s closing cost a lot of workers their jobs," Rep. Dill said. "Instead of making them pay for the time that they struggled through unemployment, we should allow them to move on with their lives."
With the Legislature's approval, the bill awaits the Governor’s signature to enact into law.
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News Items
- Budget Forecast: Good news for this year, bad for the coming two Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: Dec 7 2012 12:00AM)
- MOLPUS LANDS STATUS QUO FOR NOW - (Posted: 2012-10-18 00:00:00)
- Rep. David Dill encourages hunters and trappers to apply for wolf license - (Posted: 2012-08-17 00:00:00)
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