SAINT PAUL, MN—The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the final passage of the House Job Growth and Energy Affordability Conference Committee Report (SF1456) Monday on a bipartisan vote of 87-43. The Conference Committee Report combines spending and policy provisions aimed at making energy in Minnesota cleaner and cheaper for consumers, and creating new and better paying jobs throughout the state.
“This bill will mean lower costs for ratepayers and Main Street businesses,” Garofalo said. “Thanks to innovative job training programs and funding to leverage private investment, we will help train workers and grow jobs in all corners of the state. This bill addresses the concerns of stakeholders on both sides of the aisle, and I am grateful for the involvement of the governor and his staff.”
Highlights from this bill include:
- Lowers energy bills for consumers by reducing and streamlining the regulation process for energy providers.
- Invests another $20 million in broadband infrastructure for Greater Minnesota.
- Funding to boost vocational training for students wanting to enter the trades.
- Helps prevent displacement of blue collar workers in Greater Minnesota by providing grants to help these workers retain their full wage while retraining them for jobs that are available through businesses in their communities.
- Reinvests funding from ineffective programs into clean energy programs that benefits communities around our state, instead of a select few.
- Encourages more infrastructure in our state by cutting fees on construction-related permits and inspections.
- Works to return over $700 million in unclaimed property back to Minnesotans.
- Provides job training to veterans entering back into the civilian workforce after service.
The bill passed the Senate on a bipartisan 46-20 vote earlier in the day, and is now on its way to Governor Dayton.
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