ST. PAUL – Local employers received some good news from the State Capitol recently after legislation was approved that ended an unnecessary tax increase that was forced upon them. State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) voted in favor of the legislation, which addressed Minnesota’s unemployment insurance trust fund deficit.
“It was senseless that House Democrats waited until the day before those tax payments were due to finally act, but I am pleased our job providers are no longer being used as a pawn in a political game,” Torkelson said.
Minnesota needed to replenish its unemployment insurance trust fund by more than $1 billion, and a 15% or more tax increase on local employers had been implemented as a result.
Torkelson said the plan that has been approved by both the House and Senate fully replenishes the unemployment insurance trust fund utilizing existing revenue and ends the tax increase on Minnesota’s job providers.
“Local employers have been through a lot over the past two years, and I’m glad we have approved legislation that solves our unemployment insurance trust fund debt and stops the unneeded tax increase on our state’s job providers,” Torkelson said.
Torkelson said the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has established a site to help employers understand how the approved legislation will affect them. Visit: https://mn.gov/uimn/employers/employer-account/news-updates/tax-changes-affect-you.jsp for more information.
Torkelson said the unemployment insurance legislation also included a provision for front line workers bonus checks. You can learn more about that provision by visiting https://frontlinepay.mn.gov/.