Dayton Signs Iron Range Unemployment Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton has signed a long-awaited bill to extend unemployment insurance for thousands of laid-off miners on the Iron Range.

Dayton signed the bill Thursday after it cleared the Legislature. The Democratic governor also signed a bill providing a tax break for Minnesota businesses, but said he disagreed with the tactics Republicans used to pass it.

Republicans who control the House had pushed to pair the unemployment insurance extension for steelworkers with tax relief for businesses that furnish the state's unemployment fund. Democrats insisted they be passed separately.

Dayton delayed a planned trip to California so he could sign the bills immediately.

Thousands of laid-off steelworkers and mine employees who had already used up state benefits will likely start receiving unemployment checks next week.