[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6535742,"mediaKeyId","3369749-c984b76fe83db6f924def392d31a5d21","parentId",3369749,"title","Senate reallocates funds to pay unemployment insurance for hourly school workers, 44-23","audioSeconds",5499,"startMs",6289000,"endMs",11788000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3369749-c984b76fe83db6f924def392d31a5d21&start=6289&end=11788","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3369749-c984b76fe83db6f924def392d31a5d21/thumbnail_6289000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535742/Minnesota/Senate-reallocates-funds-to-pay-unemployment-insurance-for-hourly-school-workers-44-23","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535742-eb4a60d96cd30d5e07d9529dae7663ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521749&Signature=SIZ08amlla6jz7u7t-LM62m9Av9qMBdXSc0IvpE6jy0ssmTXSlMINUFoCPOkvxJVoHuU~eOo2-~GtZn6tKjLyAnwo6pk3gBWtX~n~uG8dBDVm6BAIJv3nSbSjyomkQuPkMIRuEwT9IsUa9L866XreRxWYzUqBm6e~imafATfDqCq~x2IlqdpHkoYjsz6NwwQrH7sa8vevHGGAJ8qkzXnnFVYDrd1vousG1-bANLP0Ne06WKPFwjEY52tkFNr3su23MjdabWqRH7kTo91NtrSpmSKJv4PFVEctDIPvoaKP9ReHmyXfBWp9Rre~zhn67MUXyPpJzRomCx9BZ2ZKVVAqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-05-17T22:45:56Z","article","The Minnesota Senate on May 18 approved House File 1143 to provide funding for unemployment insurance costs for hourly school employees, including bus drivers, nutrition staff and educational assistants. The measure passed 44-23 after floor debate that focused on funding source and long-term sustainability.

Senator McEwen, who presented the bill, said the measure cancels approximately $77.2 million previously allocated to the Minneapolis-to-Duluth Northern Lights Express passenger rail project and uses the money to reimburse school districts for summer unemployment costs after the legislature made those hourly workers eligible for unemployment in 2023. McEwen described the change as correcting “a decades long wrong” for predominantly female and often lower-paid school workers.

Supporters emphasized the bill’s immediate impact on families and school staffing. Senator McQuaid, among others, described the bill as a lifeline for people who often “work two or three jobs to get by” and said unemployment benefits provide summer wage replacement that helps employees return in the fall. Senator McKeown urged a yes vote and said she had heard directly from bus drivers and school staff who report improved retention with the benefit in place.

Opponents criticized the funding method and the use of one-time transfers to finance an ongoing mandate. Senator Rehrig offered an alternative amendment (A3) that would reallocate money differently and set longer-term education-finance targets; that amendment was discussed but the body ultimately proceeded with the underlying bill. Senator Eric proposed a sunset amendment (A5) to phase the one-time UI payment out on Sept. 10, 2028; McEwen and others urged rejection of the sunset, noting federal compliance and equity issues, and the sunset amendment failed on a roll call, 32-35.

Floor debate included a sustained policy argument about whether the long-term fix should come from local levies, state general-fund taxes or new revenue from wealthier taxpayers. Senator McEwen framed the choice as one of priorities: “The answer is not making local people pay more property taxes. The answer is taxing the rich,” she said during floor remarks.

Supporters said the reallocation will stabilize districts struggling with the added UI costs and help sustain summer programs that depend on hourly staff. Several senators described anecdotal evidence from districts that retention of bus drivers and seasonal staff improved after eligibility for unemployment was restored.

On third reading the secretary closed the roll: 44 ayes and 23 noes. The bill passed and the title was agreed to. Sponsors and some opponents agreed the funding solution is a one-time move that will require further discussion about long-term revenue and program design; several senators urged continued work over the summer and in conference negotiations.

Votes at a glance
- House File 1143 — Final passage: approved, 44 ayes, 23 noes.
- A3 (Rehrig) — Substitute amendment to change allocations and create a student basic allowance: discussed, not adopted as presented (considered during floor debate).
- A5 (Eric) — Sunset the UI reallocation on Sept. 10, 2028: failed, 32 ayes, 35 noes.

Ending: Backers said they will seek longer-term revenue options and administrative fixes in upcoming budget and committee work so districts and hourly school workers have a sustainable funding structure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session - 05/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate approved House File 1143 on May 18, using a cancellation of funds from the Northern Lights Express project to bolster the unemployment insurance account that reimburse school districts for summer UI costs for hourly workers. The bill passed after debate and multiple failed and withdrawn amendments.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6535747,"Senate passes omnibus pension bill improving teacher and public-safety benefits, 55-12",4458,1804000,6262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3369749-c984b76fe83db6f924def392d31a5d21&start=1804&end=6262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3369749-c984b76fe83db6f924def392d31a5d21/thumbnail_1804000.jpg","/articles/6535747/Minnesota/Senate-passes-omnibus-pension-bill-improving-teacher-and-public-safety-benefits-55-12","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535747-b301172ab4b8500b9eca683c91d93537/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521749&Signature=j4MiTofic4A52n6Gf3hk6KlQfrZscIuJVOK9nH5pqa6y3Z3S3iCWoPo1xyhsExjzCNQ4kHEBuE5ravEpSCpuUEsHonOSDcM6JkWLZg8CC53vXmVPyrKpAOlY4MvDL2ti5s6OVB2EimZAQ3J8wpmXG4e47lFRbi0WzB0U2yUe-YXDtRzOtlcedwaneHeDqaTaAJGz7syGCUHRaRQHHmli3NBPays2mTQUZ83ayRq8PE0WJocFT-Kv7kuwdKCREX4pgiAx2Dlq3m4kjTaM40el7SeKygqNyHOavJ4cOCqwdWH6SXDejto56C-fr1YQIv7HrQcTKFWzcI6a6OEtsrXbnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Minnesota Senate passed the 2025 omnibus pension bill, Senate File 2884, on May 18, approving improvements to benefits for teachers, police, firefighters, state patrol and other public employees by a 55-12 vote.

The bill’s author, Senator Frentz, opened floor debate saying the package represents an $80,000,000 base funding target per biennium and “is a big win” for teachers, police, firefighters and paramedics. He listed a series of benefit changes including earlier cost-of-living adjustments for police and fire retirees, a new teacher “career rule” and duty-disability modifications for public-safety employees.

Supporters said the bill gives teachers new retirement options and adds targeted cost-of-living improvements for public-safety retirees. “Teachers will get a career rule,” Senator Gustafson said on the floor, describing the bill’s educator provisions as a long-sought change. The bill also directs a $17,700,000 annual cost for the police and fire cost-of-living provisions and about $2,300,000 per year for state patrol increases; Frentz said the public-safety components total roughly $20,000,000 per year in general-fund cost.

Lawmakers pressing for larger or differently targeted funding lost several roll-call amendment votes. Senator Rasmussen’s amendment (A51) to add $20,000,000 per year to fully fund teacher benefit changes failed on a 33-34 roll call; Rasmussen argued the amendment would prevent creation of an unfunded liability, saying “a yes vote gives $20,000,000 more per year to fund teacher benefits.” Senator Rasmussen also offered amendments to remove a legislative-COLA increase and to cap the Teachers Retirement Association executive director’s salary; both (A50 and A52) were defeated on similar 33-34 tallies. A proposed change to the duty-disability language (A53) was offered, discussed and then withdrawn.

Opponents and some supporters warned the bill leaves unresolved funding questions. Senator Rasmussen and others warned parts of the teacher package were not fully paid for; Rasmussen said the bill’s benefits were “about $40,000,000 per year, but there’s only $20,000,000 per year in funding.” Senator Howe and others raised concerns about compressed timing that limited vetting of amendments and said the duty-disability language could use more work. “I don’t think this duty disability bill has everything it needs,” Howe said.

Proponents argued the bill represents bipartisan work by the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement and improves retirement security now while committing to additional work on remaining issues. Frentz thanked commission staff and said the TRA board agreed to absorb additional costs to help enable the career rule. Senator Duckworth criticized members for not having fixed teacher pensions during prior surplus years: “I can’t get over the fact that we didn’t fix it when we had $19,000,000,000 to do so,” she said.

The full Senate approved the bill on third reading by voice and roll call. The secretary closed the final roll call with 55 ayes and 12 noes and the title was agreed to. The bill will proceed to the House as the next step in the process.

Among provisions noted on the floor: an earlier cost-of-living adjustment for some police and fire retirees, a 2026 one-time COLA payment mechanism described in debate, a new 60/30 “career rule” option for teachers, an enhanced Hurley retirement adjustment reducing certain penalties, changes to duty-disability benefits that extend wage replacement and health coverage terms for some public-safety employees, and work groups or studies for firefighter relief associations and probation officers. Several senators urged continued work on duty-disability and related implementation details in coming months.

Votes at a glance
- Senate File 2884 (pension omnibus) — Final passage: approved, 55 ayes, 12 noes.
- A51 (Rasmussen) — Add $20,000,000/year for teacher funding: failed, 33 ayes, 34 noes.
- A50 (Rasmussen) — Remove legislative COLA to reallocate funds: failed, 33 ayes, 34 noes.
- A52 (Rasmussen) — Cap TRA executive director salary at governor’s salary: failed, 33 ayes, 34 noes.
- A53 (Howell) — Duty-disability distinction amendment: withdrawn.

The Senate debate repeatedly distinguished formal action (the final passage and recorded roll calls) from ongoing discussion and directions for future work; senators on both sides pledged further work in commission and committee lanes to resolve remaining technical and funding questions.

Ending: Sponsors said they expect further technical work in commission and committee settings on duty-disability, firefighter relief association provisions and teacher-funding mechanics before final implementation is complete. The bill’s passage on May 18 moves the omnibus to the House for its next steps.","The Minnesota Senate on May 18 passed Senate File 2884, the 2025 pension omnibus, with provisions raising retirement benefits for teachers and public-safety workers and changes to duty-disability rules. Multiple amendments to add funding or reallocate benefits failed or were withdrawn before final passage.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate reallocates funds to pay unemployment insurance for hourly school workers, 44-23

Senate passes omnibus pension bill improving teacher and public-safety benefits, 55-12