Monday’s activities concentrated on two bills. H.F. 729, the Omnibus Jobs & Economic Development Finance Bill passed on a 75-57 vote and took about five and half hours of discussion. This legislation substantially increases funding for the Department of Employment & Economic Development’s job creation efforts. It dramatically increases funding for the Trade Office , which helps Minnesota businesses increase their exports to foreign markets and also helps MN businesses learn how they can start selling to foreign markets. It includes programs to address skill gaps. This is a heavy duty bill to address jobs.
The other bill was H.F. 1069 that ratified labor agreements for five groups of state government employees. It covers compensation plans for Fiscal Years 2012-2013. This passed 83-49.