Dayton wants end to standoff over Iron Range jobless aid

Gov. Mark Dayton urged lawmakers on Tuesday to pass a bill giving laid-off Iron Range mine workers up to a half a year of additional unemployment benefits.

Dayton had hoped to get that bill last week, but it got bogged down when it was combined with a measure giving businesses a break in their unemployment fund premiums. Senate DFL leaders want a separate bill for each issue. House Republicans are pushing to pass both at once.

Dayton said he no longer cares if it's one bill or two.

"If the House and Senate agree to whatever else is in there, I'll sign whatever else is necessary to get it done," he told reporters after unveiling his updated state budget plans. "The emphasis is on get it done. Get it done now. This is just getting really shameful and unnecessary and ridiculous."

The House could vote on its version of the bill as soon as Wednesday.

Minnesota's iron ore mining industry has been hit hard the past few years by a surge in steel imports to the United States. That's led American steel companies to production, which has meant a steep drop in demand for taconite pellets from the Iron Range.

About 2,000 mineworkers and 4,500 workers in related industries have been laid off in the past year, although there was some positive news on Monday: Northshore mining said it plans to reopen its mine in Babbitt, and taconite pellet plant in Silver Bay by mid-May.