The Minnesota Senate today, with overwhelming bipartisan support, passed the Jobs and Economic Growth bill. The bill’s priority is to promote business and economic recovery for all of Minnesota while offering economic stability without adding any burdens or regulations that would hinder recovery efforts. Senate File 9 focuses on economic recovery, workforce training, business development services, and addresses the shortage of childcare in many communities.  

“This year, workers and small businesses alike have struggled to stay afloat as Minnesota grappled with COVID and Governor Walz’s economic lockdowns,” Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria) said. “As we move to recover, this job bill has been crafted with the sole focus of boosting our economy, getting people back in jobs, and ensuring that doors remain open at struggling small businesses across the state.”

Key provisions in the bill include the following:

• Provides key investments in the state’s growing workforce
• Creation of the Main Street Economic Revitalization Program and the Main Street COVID19 Relief programs to assist businesses statewide faced with financial hardship
• Expands options for individuals to receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits while simultaneously receiving workforce training services
• Expansion of workplace accommodations for pregnant and nursing mothers  
• Removal of provision that makes high school students ineligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits
• Inclusion of the crucial “Wedding Barn Bill” to ensure smaller venues are not forced to take on massive financial investments to install sprinklers

There is also a $70 million ARP investment in broadband development. After the last year of moving so much of the economy and education online, the need to expand broadband into underserved and unserved communities was highlighted. This investment will help close those gaps.

Notably, this bill does NOT include any burdensome mandates, expensive new programs, or excessive business regulations. The legislation now heads to the House for a final vote before heading to the Governor for a final signature.