Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Bridges to Work bill gets hearing

Published (3/9/2012)
By Nick Busse
Share on: 



A plan to let Minnesotans collecting unemployment benefits participate in a new on-the-job training program was laid over by a House committee.

Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul) sponsors HF2184 that would establish a “Bridge to Work Minnesota” pilot program. It would allow up to 5,000 unemployed workers to receive up to eight weeks of paid training with an employer without losing their unemployment insurance benefits.

Under the provisions, employers would pay the participants a stipend equal to or greater than the state’s hourly minimum wage. Up to 25 hours per week of paid training would be authorized, and the employers would have to agree to hire the individuals for at least

90 days after the training period ends.

Mahoney said the bill would benefit employers by letting them pay someone minimum wage while training them for a $20–$25 per hour job. For the workers, it represents a chance to re-enter the workforce.

“For the unemployed worker, they get a foot in the door for a possible job, as well as valuable on-the-job training. They also get a paycheck,” Mahoney said, adding that similar programs have been implemented in Georgia and Texas.

The House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus inclusion. Sen. Ken Kelash (DFL-Mpls) sponsors the companion, SF1940, which awaits action by the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Committee.

Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker) said he’d like to find a way for people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits to be eligible for the program too.

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


Minnesota Index: Jobs, jobs, jobs
Facts and statistics on employment in Minnesota.
(view full story) Published 3/30/2012

Jobs and housing bill vetoed
Plan would have reformed how DEED distributes grant money
(view full story) Published 7/15/2011

It’s a tough job, but…
Little enthusiasm expressed for ‘jobless jobs bill’
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

No easy job
Jobs and economic development bill sparks controversy
(view full story) Published 3/25/2011

A smaller slice of the government pie
Lawmakers debate downsizing the state’s workforce
(view full story) Published 1/28/2011

Minnesota Index: State employment
Figures and statistics on employment in Minnesota
(view full story) Published 1/14/2011