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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Kurt Daudt (R)

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MEDIA RELEASE: House Passes Small Business Relief, Unemployment Extension for Steelworkers

Thursday, March 24, 2016

ST. PAUL, MN—The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday to provide significant relief to small businesses across the state of Minnesota through reforms to the unemployment insurance trust fund, as well as a 26 week extension of unemployment benefits to out-of-work steelworkers on the Iron Range. Governor Dayton has agreed to sign both bills, and is expected to do so later today.

"Relief is on the way to Iron Range workers and small businesses across the state of Minnesota," said House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown). "I’m disappointed Democrats delayed these bills over a small part of the bill that stated support for mining in Minnesota. Ultimately, House Republicans provided the leadership necessary to do what was right for Minnesotans today."

Earlier today, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, suggested that language included in the benefits extension/UI reform bill passed by the House last week voicing support for mining was controversial among Senate Democrats, which may have played a role in the Senate's refusal to send the combined bill to the governor's desk. Rather than passing the bill, the Senate opted instead to send the bill to conference committee.
 

The unemployment insurance trust fund reforms will help to right-size the state's over-funded unemployment insurance trust fund, which currently is carrying a nearly all-time high $1.5 billion balance. The proposal credits approximately $258 million to employers who have paid in to the fund and reduces their future obligation to the trust fund when the balance exceeds the fully-funded threshold per federal standards. Democrats passed a similar credit totaling $346 million in 2014 when the trust fund balance stood at approximately $1.1 billion.

"These reforms will help grow jobs not only on the Iron Range, but across the state," added Speaker Daudt. "Republicans have made clear it's our goal to focus on long-term solutions for job growth on the Iron Range. By supporting mining, enacting job-friendly policies, and not putting up unnecessary roadblocks for projects like Sandpiper, Twin Metals, and PolyMet, we can create an economy on the Range that works for everyone."

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