St. Paul, MN – House Democrats refused to take a vote on refilling the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust fund and easing the burden of Minnesota businesses Monday. This is the second time House Republicans attempted to bring the bill to the floor but were blocked by the Democrats.
“The tax hikes that will hurt our job creators and then in-turn be passed on to consumers, is one we are not prepared for and should not have to face,” said Representative John Heinrich (R-Anoka). “House Democrats refuse to do what is right by Minnesotans and would rather hold this bill hostage for partisan measures. This is a nonpartisan issue.”
Despite Republican House members’ best efforts during the March 10 and March 14 sessions, the UI Trust Fund legislation that would refill the state’s $2.7 billion deficit was not heard and was not signed into law by the March 15 deadline.
The Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development encouraged House members to pass the legislation, citing a six-year tax hike that would burden business owners without it. This is a bill that was supported by Governor Walz and passed in the Senate with a 55-11 vote.
Still, the House Democrats refused. The coming cost increases will severely hamper Minnesota’s job creators and be passed on to all citizens of Minnesota while House Democrats do nothing. The bill has not moved through committee since February.
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