Sen. John Pederson, R-St. Cloud
Some Republicans are less than enthusiastic about Governor Mark Dayton’s proposal for a special session to extend unemployment benefits for several hundred Iron Range mine workers. State Senator John Pederson from Saint Cloud says many other industries in Minnesota have gone through similar situations and “the governor and the Iron Range Democrats were not interested in trying to help those groups of people.” Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt said he’s open to a special session, but needs assurances from the governor that new roadblocks to the PolyMet project won’t crop up. Balsam Lake D-F-L Representative Tom Anzelc (ANN-zells) responds if someone supports mining then they should support miners — not attach strings to unemployment insurance.