Legislators debate the Workforce and Economic Development Finance bill

Legislators debated the Workforce and Economic Development Finance bill at the Minnesota House of Representatives on Friday May 9th.

The workforce, labor & economic development committee had the task of cutting 50 million from their funding and the new bill goes beyond that target, cutting over 68 million.

Most of the cuts are to programs at the Department of Employment and Economic Development and Explore Minnesota while maintaining base funding for the two agencies.

As for policy changes in the bill, there are additional exceptions to the ban on non-compete clauses to protect trade secrets and a scale back to some of the safety requirements for broad band construction.

Most of the discussion was about things that aren’t in the bill, like the House file 107 the UI for striking workers bill.

“Workers live and provide invaluable services in every one of our districts,” said Rep. Kaela Berg (DFL-Burnsville). “This was a real opportunity to lead the nation in workers protection an opportunity we missed shame on us.”

Others arguing that the bill is imperfect, but with a split House, that’s to be expected.

“Is it everything that I ever hoped it would be? Of course not,” said Isaac Schultz (R- Elmdale Township). “But who expects a bill to come before this legislature and expect to get everything that you want.”

The bill passed with a vote of 115 to 19.