Posted at: 11/04/2009 9:39 PM | KSAX.com
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U.S. Senate Passes Unemployment Extension for Minnesotans

The U.S. Senate passed an unemployment insurance extension Wednesday that will give unemployed Minnesotans an additional 14 weeks to collect benefits.

 “I talked to Minnesotans all over the state who told me they didn’t know what they would do when their unemployment benefits ran out,” said Sen. Franken. 

“Because we passed this unemployment insurance extension today, we can tell these folks they don’t have to worry about that this winter. These are good, hard-working people who aren’t looking for a handout. They’re looking for a way to take care of their families."

Senator Franken also praised a provision to expand the homebuyer tax credit, which passed as part of the unemployment insurance extension.

“The expansion of the homebuyer tax credit will be a welcome break for many Minnesota families during this difficult economic time,” said Sen. Franken.  “It will extend the closing deadlines, add a new tax credit for non-first time homebuyers, and raise the income eligibility limits.”

The extension co-sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al-Franken must still be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives before going to the President to be signed into law.