Saint Paul, MN – Tonight, the Minnesota House approved legislation to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and deliver $1,500 bonus checks for more than 600,00 frontline workers, including health care workers, first responders, child care providers, food service and retail workers, and more. Additionally, the bill makes hourly school employees like paraprofessionals, classroom assistants, bus drivers and others eligible for unemployment benefits in the summer.
Rep. Luke Frederick (DFL – Mankato) voted for the legislation and issued the following statement:
“Using part of our budget surplus to provide $1,500 bonus checks to frontline workers who showed up for us every single day during the early stages of COVID-19 is an excellent investment in our state. We are certainly open to provide more financial support to businesses, but the fact is those benefiting the most from this have recorded record profits and don’t need help from the state. I am in favor helping businesses but only if we support our frontline workers.”
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