Legislative Update
Dear friends and neighbors,
This week has been very busy and important for the Iron Range. The fight continues here in St. Paul, and we are committed to doing everything possible to support the miners and families affected by the Cleveland-Cliffs layoffs. This week Rep. Spencer Igo introduced the Minnesota Miners Relief Act to the Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development Committee.
This bill includes three key provisions aimed at delivering both immediate relief and long-term stability for Minnesota’s mining industry:
Extending Unemployment Insurance
Without action, unemployment benefits for miners affected by layoffs will expire around Christmas 2025. This bill extends those benefits by an additional 26 weeks, ensuring support remains available through June 2026.
Updating Minnesota’s Outdated Sulfate Standard
Minnesota’s nearly 50-year-old sulfate water quality standard, established in 1973, continues to put mining operations and jobs at risk. Updating this outdated regulation is essential to keeping our mines open and protecting employment opportunities for Iron Rangers.
Ensuring Safe Storage of Reactive Mine Waste
Modernizing the standards for handling reactive mine waste will provide clear, updated guidelines for mining operations. This will allow critical projects to move forward while maintaining water quality and regulatory compliance.
Each of these provisions plays a vital role in securing both the present and future of mining on the Iron Range. While extended unemployment benefits offer immediate support for our miners, true job stability depends on permitting reform and regulatory updates—issues this bill also addresses.
On Tuesday, we held a bipartisan press conference to highlight this legislation and stand in solidarity with our miners and Iron Range communities. It was inspiring to see so many steelworkers travel to the Capitol in support of this bill and advocate for our way of life.
A special thank you to Al King, President of United Steelworkers Local 6115 at Minorca; Chris Johnson, President of United Steelworkers Local 2705 at HibTac; John Arbogast, miner; Mike Jugovich, St. Louis County Commissioner; and Paul Peltier, RAMS Executive Director, for speaking as key stakeholders in this fight.
This is not a political issue—our miners and the Iron Range need real solutions and real support. While the bill did not advance out of the Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development Committee, it has been laid over for reconsideration. This fight is far from over, and I remain committed to doing everything necessary to protect the future of mining and the hardworking people who make this region strong.
Click here to watch the video from the Iron Range representatives.
As always, I appreciate your support and partnership as I do my best to represent you, your family, and our communities. Thank you!
Visitors
Thank you to everyone who has visited in the past few weeks. I appreciate hearing about the issues that are important to you!
Bishop Daniel Felton of the Duluth Diocese.
Community Events
Join me, Rep. Zeleznikar, and Sen. Hauschild on Saturday at 1 P.M. at Two Harbors High School for a District 3 Town-Hall.
Stay in Touch
Please be sure to reach out to me or my office if you have any questions, or comments, or would like to discuss your priorities. You can call me at 651-296-2190 or at rep.roger.skraba@house.mn.gov.
I also encourage you to come visit, I would love to hear what issues are important to you!
Have a great day!
Roger