Did Lawmakers Allocate Sufficient Funds for Unemployment Insurance for School Bus Drivers in Minnesota?
This article is primarily about a new unemployment insurance law affecting school bus drivers and other hourly school employees in Minnesota. The law is part of the 2023 education bill and allows these workers to claim unemployment benefits during the usually work-free summer months, helping them balance their income throughout the year. Some school districts reported increased costs due to the benefits claimed under this law. Officials and advocates highlight the importance of the benefit and maintain that it’s a valuable tool for retaining employees, despite the associated costs. The future of this program may be uncertain due to changing state budgetary conditions.