Dayton Seeking 26-Week Aid Extension for Laid-Off Steelworkers

Governor Mark Dayton is asking the Minnesota Legislature to sign off on 26 weeks of additional benefits for laid-off steel workers. 

Dayton released more details on his call for a benefits extension that he hopes will be approved in a possible special session. 

Mine workers laid-off from taconite plants over the recent months are starting to exhaust their unemployment assistance. 

More than 1,000 could see their last check before lawmakers reconvene for their regular session in March. 

The state has an unemployment fund that would cover the additional costs.  

It remains unclear if a benefits extension would apply only to steelworkers or also to spinoff companies struggling from a lagging Iron Range economy. 

A special session is not a done deal.