SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House approved a bipartisan compromise to fully replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund – an investment of $2.7 billion – and deliver $500 million worth of premium pay for over 600,000 frontline workers, including health care workers, first responders, child care providers, food service and retail workers, and so many more.
Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) issued the following statement:
“This agreement highlights what we can do at the Capitol when Democrats and Republicans put people before politics and work together toward a common goal, and advancing it to the governor’s desk is the right thing for us to do at this critical moment. This bill is a major step forward for our main street businesses that have had an unimaginably difficult two years, and also helps our frontline workers who have sacrificed so much to be there for the rest of us.
“I’m disappointed the agreement didn’t include UI for school workers during the summer, but that conversation doesn’t end here. I’m hopeful we can continue working to strengthen economic security for these and other workers all across the state.”
The Minnesota Senate approved the measure earlier in the day, and Governor Walz is expected to sign it into law.