Greetings from Moorhead,
On Wednesday, Governor Dayton sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bakk and Speaker Daudt calling attention to the matter of unemployed steel workers on the Iron Range and the possible expiration of their unemployment benefits due to slow mining activity in the region. A decline in worldwide steel prices has caused the mining work reduction. In the 2015 Jobs Bill, these Iron Range employees were treated as permanent layoffs since many were expected to be out of work for 6 months or more.
Also in the 2015 Jobs Bill, an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits were authorized for workers impacted by the avian flu. However, very few have needed to use the extended benefits because of the avian flu. A majority of the affected Iron Range workers filed for unemployment between May and August, and have not yet been called back to work or found other jobs. Although it is estimated that some workers are back on the job, over half are still requesting benefits each week. Their benefit eligibility will begin running out this month with the remaining benefits expiring before the beginning of the 2016 legislative session. Gov. Dayton requested the Legislature to agree to a Special Session to resolve the issue before 2016 session.
I’d like to welcome newly sworn in Rep. Peggy Flanagan to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Flanagan won a special election on November 3rd to replace retired Rep. Ryan Winkler in House District 46A. She was sworn in on Monday of this week. Welcome, Rep. Flanagan!
Gov. Dayton’s father passed away this morning at the age of 97. I’d like to express my deepest sympathies, best wishes and prayers to the governor and his family at this time.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve,
Ben