Today the Minnesota Senate approved a comprehensive Jobs and Economic Growth budget bill with bipartisan support. The bill promotes business and economic recovery for all of Minnesota. Senate File 1098 focuses on economic recovery; workforce training and business development services; and addresses the shortage of childcare in many communities.  

This legislation creates a Small Business Loan Guarantee program, funds workforce training, and works to address the state’s childcare shortage. Included language also gives businesses the ability to operate at full capacity with a COVID-19 safety plan in place and requires that any future Executive Orders aimed at closing or partially closing businesses support from the majority of both the House and Senate before going into effect.  

“The governor’s unilateral and arbitrary business closures have been a disaster for small businesses and workers across the state,” said Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson). “Minnesotans are resilient, but they need a government working with them instead of against them. This bill puts our state, including the entrepreneurs and workers who are the backbone of our economy, back in a great position for long-term success.”

Other key provisions in the legislation include: 

• Expands options for individuals to receive UI benefits while simultaneously receiving workforce training services. To qualify, an applicant must be seeking and available for employment or engaged in qualified training that will increase job prospects.
• Requires a written warning for first violation to be given to businesses for violating executive order on COVID restrictions instead of high-cost fines to be applied retroactively.
• Reforms the Wage Theft Prevention Act, which guarantees that workers are paid what they earn and provides remedies to recoup unpaid wages. The improvements will help businesses stay compliant so workers are protected.

• Expansion of workplace accommodations for pregnant and nursing mothers  
• Removal of a provision that deducts 50% of a UI applicant’s social security income from their UI insurance benefit.  
• Modification to building code to help decrease costs while ensuring building safety remains a priority.  
• Reduction of time an employee needs to work for an employer from 12 to 3 months for purposes of participating in the Shared Work Program, which offers an alternative to layoffs for employers facing a temporary downturn in business.