In This Issue:
- Unemployment Insurance Reform and Help for Out-of-Work Miners
- Governor’s Supplemental Budget
- Rogers High School DECA Rocks!
Dear Neighbors,
This week was another busy week at the State Capitol. Here is an update from Saint Paul.
Unemployment Insurance Reform and Help for Out-of-Work Miners
On Thursday, the House passed legislation which extends unemployment benefits for eligible out-of-work employees on the Iron Range, as well as gives a boost to businesses across the state by right-sizing the state's overfunded Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
The first component of this bill will benefit businesses across the state, helping them keep more money to grow their business and hire new employees. Minnesota businesses pay into the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund which is currently carrying a nearly all-time high balance of $1.5 billion.
The legislation passed on Thursday credits just under $260 million to employers, as well as reduces their future obligations to pay into the trust fund when the balance exceeds the fully-funded threshold per federal standards. In short, this bill keeps more money in the private sector which is good for employers, employees and our state's economy, but it also ensures there are ample funds to pay valid and needed unemployment insurance claims for workers laid-off the job through no fault of their own.
The second part of the legislation aid provided unemployment benefits to laid-off workers on the Iron Rage for an additional 26 weeks. Many of these workers have been hit very hard by the recent steel-industry downturn.
However, repeatedly extending unemployment insurance benefits for any group of workers is not an economically sustainable plan. House Republicans are providing this temporary assistance to workers, but are also committed to long-term solutions that will boost the economy in Greater Minnesota and bring jobs back to those communities.
The Governor's Supplemental Budget Recommendations
Earlier this week, Governor Dayton released his supplemental budget recommendations which included $581 million in new spending and a reintroduction of his proposal to increase the gas tax. If passed, the governor’s gas tax hike would raise prices by $0.16-$0.26 per gallon and give Minnesota the third highest gas tax in the nation. Also in the governor’s budget is $117 million in tax relief, but that is dwarfed by the over $900 million he would collect from Minnesotans with his gas tax increase in the first year alone.
Our state currently is sitting on a $900 million surplus, and we should not be raising taxes, period. House Republicans will continue to stand with middle class Minnesotans on this issue, advocating for tax relief and funding for our roads and bridges that does not include a harmful gas tax hike.
Rogers DECA Rocks!
Congratulations to students in the Rogers High School DECA program where 79 students recently competed in the state DECA Career Development Conference. DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is a high school and college club that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management skills.
Twenty-six of the 79 students will represent Rogers High School at the International Career Development Conference in Nashville Tennessee in April. As a former DECA participant and competitor in the national competition, I know how hard these students work to prepare for this elite competition. Best wishes in Nashville!
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As always, if you have any questions or concerns on an issue relating to state government, my office is available to help. My direct line is 651-296-7806. My email address is rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn and my mailing address is Room 459 State Office Building, 100 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Joyce
**Encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/34A