ST. PAUL, MN – The following is a statement from Governor Mark Dayton.
“I want to correct any misunderstanding from yesterday about my position on a bill providing retroactive, 26-week unemployment benefits to workers on the Iron Range. I strongly support the passage of such legislation without any other provisions attached to it.
“I strongly disagree with House Republicans’ insistence that an unemployment tax reduction for businesses be part of this legislation. As I said in my State of the State last week, I am supportive of such a reduction; however, it should go through the normal legislative committee process. I deplore the heartless tactic of holding the unemployment benefits desperately needed by Range families hostage to such a measure.
“In response to press questions yesterday, I said that, hypothetically, I would sign a bill agreed to by the Senate and House leadership, even if it contained provisions with which I did not agree. In no way, did I state or imply my support for any such additional provisions.”
