Miners Relief Act introduced in Minnesota Legislature

A bill to extend unemployment insurance for workers laid off from Minorca and Hibtac is making its way through the Minnesota Legislature. Lawmakers are hopeful the Miner’s Relief Act will gain bipartisan support.

Approximately 600 workers were affected by layoffs, and this bill would ensure that unemployment benefits wouldn’t run out over the holidays in the case the layoffs last that long.

Today at a press conference, St. Louis County called people the most important resource on the Iron Range: “We are in a position where our young people are going to have to move away to find jobs… We cannot afford this.”

The President of Local 6115, Al King, spoke, saying, “The biggest message that I want to express to this state, to the governor, to the legislator, is that this is our chance for Minnesota to come together and show that we can work together and provide stability for Minnesota because the benefits of us mining up north affect everyone down here.”

The second half of the bill includes two provisions related to the environmental impacts of mining, which author Rep. Spencer Igo says will “provide stability for generations to come.” One clarifies rules for reactive mine waste. Two includes rules and deadlines set for site-specific sulfite standards.

Extending unemployment insurance seems to have bipartisan support. Democrats objected to tying unemployment benefits to environmental regulations. A motion to send the bill to the House Ways and Means Committee failed on a 7-7 party-line vote. It was then tabled.