The Minnesota Senate today passed a significant jobs, labor, and energy bill that focuses on first responders, increases transparency at the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), updates wage theft laws, funds frontline worker bonus pay, and moves Minnesota energy forward. Also included is the funding of a study on the current benefits to support the families of permanently disabled police officers, firefighters, and troopers. Additionally, this bill incorporates funding for experimental mental health therapy for first responders dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
“Energy bills are one of the issues I hear about most often,” Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) said. “Our energy package protects consumers from rising costs, repeals the outdated nuclear moratorium so we can consider every possible option, and protects access to affordable energy options.”
“In addition, I am proud to provide bonus pay for the heroes on the frontlines of the pandemic,” Rosen said.”These workers took exceptional risks to keep us safe during the Covid pandemic, especially before we had a handle on the virus. This bonus pay is just a small token of our deep gratitude.”
Jobs and Labor
As our businesses and workforce continue down the road of economic recovery, the jobs portion of the bill requires transparency when it comes to job training programs and grants distributed through DEED. It demonstrates a commitment to first responders and healthcare workers, prepares our workforce for high-demand careers, and increases the transparency of state agencies.
Notably, this bill includes the Senate’s proposal for a one-time disbursement of $250 million for the Frontline Worker Bonus Pay program. The language specifically covers first responders or other emergency frontline workers that performed frontline services such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance personnel, corrections officers, and long-term or other health care frontline workers.
Other key jobs committee provisions included in the bill:
- Requirement for DEED to report Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud
- Stipulate that DEED must prioritize job training programs/grants for high-demand careers
- Non-profits receiving DEED grants are required to disclose employee compensation
- Updates to Wage Theft laws
This bill does not include burdensome mandates, expensive new programs, or excessive regulations on businesses.
Energy
The provisions on energy are a measured, thoughtful approach to the state’s energy needs. They include additional funding for Solar on Schools, repealing the moratorium of new nuclear-powered electric generating plants, and securitization for weather events for natural gas utilities.
Other key provisions included in the bill:
- Funding to conduct an advanced nuclear feasibility study to bring modern, clean nuclear as an option for the state’s energy needs
- Protect consumers from price spikes due to polar vortex weather by allowing utilities to spread out the energy costs through financing
- Repeals the sunset of a provision that allowed utilities to raise rates without going to the Public Utilities Commission, ensuring transparency and protecting consumers
- Prohibition of political subdivisions from banning or preventing natural gas connections as one of the most affordable and reliable energy sources
- Sets forth a state carbon capture policy