Gov. Pawlenty signs the first bill of session
Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the first bill of the session today (Jan. 29) just short hours after it cleared the Legislature.
The unemployment benefits extension bill will extend state unemployment benefits to about 3,000 Minnesotans who do not qualify for a federal extension.
The average payment will be $215 per week with the average length of payment lasting 15 weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.
The extension will put the state’s unemployment trust fund into deficit.
Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, on the House floor argued for compassion but against the state offering a “false promise” when facing a budgetary crisis.
