Workforce budget bill clears final vote; unemployment aid extended for miners

Minnesota lawmakers have finalized a jobs and labor budget bill with workforce investments and some policy adjustments that include unemployment benefits and wage theft enforcement.

The House passed the jobs, labor and economic development budget bill, SSHF15/SSSF17*, on a 96-37 vote Monday, hours after the Senate OK’d the proposed legislation 40-27.

Heading to the governor’s desk, the bill offers protections for employees and for employers who are doing the right thing, said Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL-St. Paul), who sponsors the bill with Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Mpls).

It would extend the availability of unemployment benefits to approximately 630 Iron Range workers impacted by mine closures this spring.

The bill would appropriate:

• $356.62 million for the Department of Employment and Economic Development;
• $109.17 for the Department of Labor and Industry;
• $41.76 million for Explore Minnesota; and
• $3 million for the Public Facilities Authority to continue replacing lead service lines.

Appropriations for the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals and the Bureau of Mediation Services are also included as is $5 million to help host the World Junior Hockey Championships, money for a registered teacher apprenticeship program, and an additional $2.04 million each year to enforce wage theft laws.

[MORE: See the workforce and labor spreadsheets and policy summary]

Also included would be many Senate proposed appropriations from the Workforce Development Fund that would go to agencies and organizations to train and support employees. Among them would be programs to increase the number of cancer care providers in rural districts, support a youth jobs program in the West Broadway commercial district of Minneapolis and provide experiential equine therapy for first responders.

The bill would modify earned sick and safe time legislation by allowing employers to seek documentation, such as a doctor’s note, if an employee uses two consecutive days of earned sick and safe time. Employees could also be required to inform employers of sick time when “reasonably required by the employer,” instead of as soon as practicable and clarifies that people may trade shifts voluntarily.

It would also cap the maximum premium for Paid Family and Medical Leave at no more than 1.1% of taxable wages.

Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) voted for the bill but said there is more work to do on noncompete agreements, paid family and medical leave, and earned sick and safe time. “We certainly didn't do enough to help businesses maintain and sustain. Many are leaving state of Minnesota because of our policies.”

Among the provisions included are ones that would:

• increase the penalty for intentional misrepresentation with regard to unemployment benefits;
• require a task force to examine the workforce development system, including funding systems and metrics;
• establish an Office of Public Service under the Department of Employment and Economic Development to promote and expand existing public service opportunities, coordinating with organizations such as ServeMinnesota; and
• create a uniform outcome report card and allow the department to withhold grants if the grantee hasn’t provided up-to-date information.