Neighbors,
Even before Governor Walz signed his Stay at Home Executive Order, Minnesotans were taking social distancing seriously. One week into the order, I have heard from friends and family that they had already stepped back, were staying home, and intend to do their part.
Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: April 3, 2020”
Neighbors,
Today, legislators worked with Gov. Walz to approve new aid for our response to the COVID-19 virus response. In accordance with public health safety guidelines, we took action to assist Minnesotans during the disruptions caused by this pandemic.
This crisis will have long lasting impacts on Minnesotans’ health and economic wellbeing, and we’re already looking ahead at options to address long-term disruptions to our lives.
Highlights of the bill include: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 26, 2020”
Friends and Neighbors,
I ran into some of you while out walking yesterday evening and, keeping a respectable social distance of 6 feet, fielded some of your questions about what we are doing and not doing in the legislature. I said that even though we are not physically meeting in session, we are getting a lot done through teleconferencing, group e-mails, and one-on-one phone calls and e-mails. In fact we are extremely busy laying solid legislative groundwork and once we achieve a degree of consensus, we will be called to Saint Paul to meet in committees and on the Senate/House floor.
For example, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Larry Herke, called me at home Sunday afternoon from his office in Saint Paul to bring me up to date on what is happening at the Minnesota Veteran’s Homes, veteran’s cemeteries, relations with the Minneapolis VA and, specifically, Governor Walz’s proposed revised veteran’s budget. As the DFL Lead on the Senate Veterans Committee, I am regularly called and visited by the Commissioner and his very capable staff. After hanging up, the Commissioner and I almost immediately exchanged e-mails to further clarify his call. Shortly after that I received an e-mail from the Commissioner’s Legislative Liaison scheduling a conference call for Monday to lay out the Governor’s funding request for an additional $6.2 million to help Minnesota veterans and survivors of veterans who are now struggling or will struggle to make ends meet as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Continue reading “Sen. Jerry Newton (SD37) Update: March 24, 2020”
Neighbors,
Please join me TONIGHT for a COVID-19 TOWN HALL from 6:30-7:30 p.m. I look forward to answering your questions about the state response to the virus, what we’re working on and how you can help.
Follow this link to join in tonight:
https://facebook.com/events/s/virtual-town-hall-with-rep-eri/2599634403659538/?ti=ia Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Upate: March 25, 2020”
Neighbors,
The COVID-19 virus news is swiftly changing. We can all do our part to flatten the curve by staying home as much as possible and reducing the number of people contracting the virus. In this update, I’ve included some resources you can use or pass along to someone in your circle.
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL THIS WEDNESDAY
Wednesday evening, I will host a virtual town hall on Facebook from 6:30-7:30 p.m. I look forward to your questions on what’s happening in the Minnesota House, the current legislative session, and the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Joinhere. I hope to see you on Wednesday. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 23, 2020”
Neighbors,
News about the COVID-19 virus is changing frequently and it can be difficult to keep up on the latest information. I’ve included several links below to help you to navigate the uncertainty.
Schools Closed and Meals for Students
Spring Lake Park https://www.springlakeparkschools.org/
Anoka-Hennepin Schools https://www.ahschools.us/domain/11880
Government Resources
Anoka County https://www.anokacounty.us/
City of Blaine https://www.blainemn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1667
City of Coon Rapids https://www.coonrapidsmn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2233
City of Spring Lake Park http://www.slpmn.org/
MN Dept. of Commerce Shares Tips on Avoiding Scams
The Minnesota Dept. of Commerce is encouraging Minnesotans to watch for possible scams at this uncertain time. You can read more here about how to protect yourself from e-mail, phone, mail and social media scams. Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 19, 2020”
Neighbors,
Early this morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives unanimously passed emergency COVID-19 health care funding, which provides $200 million in investments for a health care response fund and Minnesota’s public health response contingency account. Governor Walz has signed the bill into law.
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will receive $150 million to make grants to eligible providers for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to an outbreak of COVID-19. The grants may be used for: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 17, 2020”
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – In response to the growing threat posed by the COVID-19 virus to Minnesotans, Governor Walz signed an executive order allowing Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Larry Herke to place restrictions on visitation of the veterans at Minnesota’s VeteransHomes. Senator Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids), DFL lead on the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee, supports the measures and their aim to protect vulnerable veterans.
“As the state responds to the unique challenges of COVID-19, we must ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the health of the hundreds of veterans in our state’s veterans’ homes,” said Senator Jerry Newton. “While these updated guidelines restrict in-person visits, the Department of Veterans Affairs will do everything in its power to balance the safety of residents and staff while finding new alternatives that will allow friends, family, and fellow veterans to connect and stay in touch.”
The restrictions ban in-person visits and instructs the Commissioner to find ways to replace visits with phone calls, video conferencing, or other methods of communicating with friends, family, and other would-be visitors. The ban does not apply in end-of-life situations and to state and federal nursing home regulatory authorities when requesting access to Minnesota Veterans Homes. Furthermore, there will be no admittance of new residents, or entry by employees, volunteers, or others without screening for signs or symptoms of COVID-19. These restrictions go into effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.
A copy of the executive order can be found here: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/2020_03_16_EO_20-03_MDVA_tcm1055-423381.pdf.
Dear Neighbors,
Minnesota’s Legislature, governor, and public health officials are working around the clock to respond to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a rapidly evolving situation and I want to acknowledge that Minnesotans are facing a lot of uncertainty by no fault of their own.
I’m sharing a brief update on where things stand at the state government level as of today (Monday, March 16), including actions already taken by the Legislature and the governor, and current measures we are advancing to support workers, employers, and health care providers.
I would also like to share a Google Drive file with COVID-19 related information. All my past and future communications are included if you click on this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PJvhCdSArNrnAuyyavYoPFRDW4VWwS4M Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 16, 2020”
Neighbors,
Governor Tim Walz today announced the temporary closure of Minnesota K-12 public schools to students from Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 27 for school administrators and teachers to make long-term plans for the continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will give school staff, teachers and administrators, with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) time to accommodate planning.
The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing to work with Governor Walz, the Minnesota Senate, and the Minnesota Department of Health to ensure our state is prepared to respond to COVID-19.
The Governor’s executive order takes these three important actions: Continue reading “Rep. Erin Koegel (HD37A) Update: March 15, 2020”
