Minn. Lawmakers Pass Jobs, Economic Development Budget

Has Added Unemployment Benefits for Laid Off Steelworkers

Minnesota legislators have passed a revamped jobs and economic development budget with additional money for broadband Internet development in rural Minnesota.   

Lawmakers returned to St. Paul Friday in special session and quickly started chipping away at the unresolved pieces of the state’s budget.

The jobs bill, along with an environment/agriculture bill, was seen as two potentially sticky deals awaiting votes, especially in the Senate.

But that chamber easily passed the bill, 50-14.

The revamped bill has grants for broadband development up to $10 million.

It also has added unemployment benefits for steelworkers hit by recent layoffs and poultry industry workers affected by bird flu fallout.