More than 3,000 jobless Minnesotans would get extended unemployment benefits in the first bill to clear the Legislature this year.

The unemployment extension sailed through the House on a 117-11 vote, after passing the Senate unanimously two weeks ago.

The bill now heads to Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

The bill targets about 10 percent of unemployed Minnesotans who have used up state unemployment benefits but don’t qualify for a federal extension.

MPR