SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Tonight, the Minnesota House approved legislation to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and deliver $1,500 bonus checks for more than 600,000 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.
Representative Jess Hanson (DFL - Burnsville) voted for the legislation and released the following statement:
“In the midst of the pandemic we repeatedly praised our frontline workers as heroes, but were unable to give them the compensation they deserve. Now that we are in better times, it is our duty and moral obligation to lift up these heroes and give them the support they earned. While our economy is strong, we can’t afford to burden our local businesses while they are tentatively recovering. Thanks to these very workers and businesses we have a historic budget surplus that we must use to help them out. I am proud to vote for this legislation which will lift up my community and ensure that every family has what they need to thrive.”
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