SAINT PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 40 to extend unemployment insurance benefits for laid-off workers at Northshore Mining. The bipartisan bill was chief authored by Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL – Hermantown) and co-authored by Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic (DFL – Minneapolis), Sen. Rob Farnsworth (R – Hibbing), Sen. Justin Eichorn (R – Grand Rapids), and Sen. Jen McEwen (DFL – Duluth). Following floor debate on the legislation, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 56 yeas to 10 nays.
“Today, the Senate showed that we understand the urgency of providing much-needed financial relief for Northshore miners and their families, who have faced financial hardship through no fault of their own,” said Sen. Hauschild. “Passing this legislation will make an immediate difference for miners, their families, and our entire region. I want to thank my Senate colleagues and the Iron Range delegation for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to look out for our workers on this issue.”
Sen. Hauschild said that he is working closely with Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora) to ensure that the bill is expedited in the House of Representatives and reaches Governor Walz’s desk as quickly as possible.
“I’m incredibly proud of Sen. Hauschild’s leadership in standing up for the people of northeast Minnesota,” said Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora), the bill’s chief author in the House. “We will continue on the House side to bring people together and pass this critical legislation off to the Governor’s desk so we can take care of workers and their families experiencing unthinkable hardship.”
“I’m proud to be a co-author of the legislation to extend unemployment insurance today. The Iron Range is full of resilient people, but even we need a little help every now and then,” Sen. Rob Farnsworth said. “This bill ensures a steady workforce for future mining operations and keeps our schools, shops, and communities full of hardworking people who know they have a future in Northern Minnesota. I look forward to North Shore Mining resuming operations as soon as possible so our miners can get back to work. While unemployment insurance will provide financial stability, there is nothing like the dignity of a good-paying job to keep our workforce emotionally stable and continue to grow our economy.”
Please find the attached photo of Senator Hauschild during floor session and watch his comments during floor debate: https://youtu.be/o4v7WrrLY80
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