Category: State Issues

Rep. Liebling statement on new COVID-19 testing breakthrough

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, Governor Tim Walz announced a new breakthrough strategy in partnership with Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, and other health care providers to drastically boost COVID-19 testing capacity.

State Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division, issued the following statement:

“With great hopefulness, the state is partnering with Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and other health care entities to tap their expertise and move our state through this crisis as quickly as possible. Minnesota is fortunate to have great institutions that are ready to deploy testing and coordinate resources in service to all the people of our state, and I am pleased that we have the resources to partner with them. With this partnership, Minnesota will lead the way on testing for COVID-19 and move toward a well-informed and safe reopening of our economy just as quickly as possible. I will continue working with the Minnesota Department of Health, the Walz administration, and my colleagues in the Legislature to ensure the success of the project.”

Thursday, April 23, 2020, at 12:45 p.m., the House Health and Human Services Finance Division will hold remote hearing to learn more about the testing plan. House Public Information Services will broadcast the hearing on the House website and on YouTube.

As coronavirus spreads in Minnesota, it exposes racial inequalities

At first glance, the numbers in Minnesota’s cases don’t appear out of proportion. But officials say the actual numbers of victims in the state’s minority communities are likely higher.

When on his evening walk Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison got the call confirming his beloved grandmother had died from coronavirus, all he could do was sit on a park bench and weep.

He had recently returned from attending her funeral in Detroit. Knowing that “even at 82” his “Nana” — an independent, hilarious, gardening-loving, “work until I drop dead” kind of woman — died from COVID-19 angered him.

He thought about how her death and the lives of other people of color nationwide struck down in the pandemic underscored deeply entrenched racial health and economic gaps. Continue reading.

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on COVID-19 testing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement of a statewide testing strategy in Minnesota:

“Expanding Minnesota’s ability to test for COVID-19 is a critical step in protecting our health and getting Minnesotans back to work,” said Speaker Hortman. “The expanded contact tracing is also important. It’s essential for Minnesota’s leaders to be guided by science and public health expertise in their decision-making. I’m pleased Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health, and Minnesota’s health care providers were able to move quickly to provide expanded testing for our state.”

“We are continuing to tackle this crisis because of the joint work of the Legislature, Governor Walz, his administration, the people of Minnesota, and the institutions of our state,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The Governor’s announcement today is another step in the right direction.”

The House Health and Human Services Finance Committee will hold a hearing on COVID-19 testing on Thursday at 12:45 pm.

 

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 22, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:45 PM on 4/22/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz, representatives of the state’s health care delivery systems, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota today announced a breakthrough for rapid, widespread testing of COVID-19 in Minnesota. They plan to launch a statewide testing strategy to test all symptomatic people, isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health contact tracing tools. By building capacity to test as many as 20,000 Minnesotans per day, this increased testing and tracing will help improve control of this pandemic and support the safe re-opening of society.

“When Minnesota faces a challenge, we rise up—together,” Governor Walz said. “I’m proud to partner with Minnesota’s innovative health care systems and leading research institutions to pioneer how states can begin to move forward amid COVID-19.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 22, 2020”

Minnesota House Housing Division Approves $100 million to help Renters and Homeowners

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Housing Policy and Finance Division, chaired by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul), met remotely today to hear HF 4541. The bill allocates $100 million to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) to assist thousands of Minnesota renters with their monthly payments. In addition, the funding will be used to help Minnesotans pay utility bills and property taxes, and help homeowners pay their mortgages.

“Housing security is one of many critical needs during this unprecedented time,” said Rep. Hausman. “The House proposal to assist renters and homeowners is necessary to lessen the effects the pandemic will have on stable housing and will ease the burden of those who have lost income related to the consequences of COVID-19.”

“Financial uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is going to make it increasingly difficult for some Minnesotans to ‘stay home’ as they struggle to afford the roof over their head,” said Rep. Howard. “The need for rental and housing assistance has brought together a broad coalition across the housing spectrum, and it’s important Senate Republicans join us at the table to deliver this urgently-needed relief.”  Continue reading “Minnesota House Housing Division Approves $100 million to help Renters and Homeowners”

House Veterans Affairs Division discusses National Guard, MDVA response to COVID-19

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Tuesday during a remote hearing, the House Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Division received updates on COVID-19 from the Minnesota National Guard and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and approved three pieces of legislation.

“I want to give my heartfelt thanks to the soldiers of our National Guard for their efforts in the COVID-19 response and to the workers in our Veterans Homes who continue to deliver the care residents deserve,” said Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls), the division chair. “We’re all working hard to adapt and respond to the struggles presented by COVID-19 and we’re lucky to have qualified, dedicated Minnesotans serving in critical roles to help keep Minnesotans – including the heroes who have served our nation – safe and healthy.” Continue reading “House Veterans Affairs Division discusses National Guard, MDVA response to COVID-19”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 21, 2020

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April 21, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:45 PM on 4/21/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, the Department of Human Services announced that more than 1,200 Minnesota child care providers will receive about $9.8 million to continue serving children of essential workers through the first round of emergency state funding. The grants, proposed by Governor Walz and authorized by the Minnesota Legislature last month, will help family child care providers and child care centers ensure there is capacity to serve these families during the state’s COVID-19 response.

Department of Health Update

We know that COVID-19 is particularly harmful to our elderly population, and seniors living in congregate living facilities face an even higher risk of infection. Today, Department of Health officials shared more on the support they are providing to long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlighted their work with state and local staff to identify and address ongoing issues such as infection control, personal protective equipment, and staffing. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 21, 2020”

Minnesota House Education Finance Committee Advances Bill to Support Hourly School Workers

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee voted to advance the COVID-19 response legislation for hourly school workers. The bill’s next stop is the House Ways and Means Committee.

A summary of the legislation is available on the committee’s website. Among other things, the legislation provides for compensation for hourly school employees, and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services such as school bus operators to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices as a result of COVID-19 related school closures, and the conversion to distance learning programs.

The bill provides some school finance formula flexibility needed from the conversion to the distance learning model. The bill also creates and legislatively approves certain waivers of state law regarding assessments, graduation and course requirements, and potential licensure issues faced by prospective and current teachers. Continue reading “Minnesota House Education Finance Committee Advances Bill to Support Hourly School Workers”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 20, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:45 PM on 4/20/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz and Ecolab CEO Doug Baker highlighted how public-private partnerships are strengthening Minnesota’s response to COVID-19.

As the pandemic spreads across the globe, Minnesota’s health care professionals are competing with other states and countries for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical care supplies like ventilators. Governor Walz today shared updates on his Administration’s work to leverage public-private partnerships to ensure that when the COVID-19 surge hits Minnesota, the state has the PPE and medical supplies needed to save as many lives as possible. The Governor highlighted the productive partnerships underway across the state that are helping Minnesota source supplies around the world.

Minnesota companies, big and small, have offered support to get scarce medical supplies necessary to protect front line health care workers. Companies like CH Robinson, Toro, Patterson, Woodchuck USA, Wintergreen, 3M, and Mayo have all stepped up. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 20, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 19, 2020

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April 19, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:00 PM on 4/19/2020.

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor continue to encourage Minnesotans to create homemade masks for donation to support the workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Minnesotans can deliver homemade masks to their local fire department. Fire departments will then deliver the masks to local congregate living facilities for their employees and residents to wear. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 19, 2020”