(April 27, 2001) After a five-hour floor debate, the House passed its first omnibus finance bill this session April 26.

The $353 million House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Committee bill passed by a 71-59 vote.

HF2486, sponsored by Rep. Dan McElroy (R-Burnsville), includes $24 million in one time funding to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to address affordable housing in the state.

The bill also includes a provision to combine the Department of Economic Security and the Department of Trade and Economic Development into one department that would shift the focus from unemployment issues to the development of skilled workers.

Other provisions include an appropriation of $1.5 million for competitive grants for displaced homemaker projects; $262,500 for tornado relief for Granite Falls; and $4 million for a loan-repayment program for teachers in the areas of science, math, industrial technology, and special education, and in rural areas.

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