St. Paul, MN - After being appointed to the conference committee on the legislation earlier this week, today Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL - Winona) brought forward the bipartisan conference committee report to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, deliver bonuses to frontline workers, and invest in the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rep. Pelowski is the chief sponsor in the House of the legislation (SF 2677) which passed on a broadly bipartisan vote of 124-5.
“With the passage of this bipartisan agreement, the legislature is meeting its obligation to take care of the workers on the front lines of this pandemic and help our businesses avoid a tax increase just as they’re getting back on their feet,” said Rep. Pelowski. “Additionally, this provides the Governor with funds to continue the state’s response to COVID-19, with the Legislature having the ability to override the use of these funds. This agreement should pave the way for similar compromises as we enter the final month of the legislative session.”
The final agreement includes $500 million for direct payments to frontline workers, $2.7 billion to replenish the UI Trust Fund, and $190 million for the ongoing COVID-19 response. Having passed the Senate and House, the bill now goes to Governor Walz for his anticipated signature.
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