Category: State Issues

House Higher Education Committee Receives Overview on COVID-19’s Impacts on MN Colleges and Universities

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA –Today, the Minnesota House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee held an informational hearing to discuss COVID-19’s impact on Minnesota public and private colleges and universities. Committee members heard testimony from the University of Minnesota, MinnState, and Gustavus Adolphus College.

“The fall-out of COVID-19 is presenting significant challenges for our private and public colleges and universities,” remarked Chair Connie Bernardy (DFL-New Brighton). “Students who have been impacted by the pandemic are our number one priority and they need and deserve our support to stay academically whole. The House will continue to work on strategies and solutions to protect Minnesotans working toward their degree.

As of April 13, MinnState estimates the total direct impact of additional expenses and lost revenues range from $35-40 million for the remainder of the fiscal year. Despite this, the system says the are well-equipped to meet the educational needs of students this summer and fall. Continue reading “House Higher Education Committee Receives Overview on COVID-19’s Impacts on MN Colleges and Universities”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 28, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:30 PM on 4/28/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz traveled to the Mayo Clinic to walk Vice President Mike Pence through Minnesota’s new COVID-19 testing strategy and showcase the public-private partnership that has positioned Minnesota as a national leader in the fight against COVID-19. During their visit to Rochester, Governor Walz and Vice President Pence participated in a roundtable discussion and toured Mayo’s testing facilities. The Governor also met with Rochester Mayor Kim Norton to discuss their efforts to keep the Rochester community safe and healthy.

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365 new coronavirus cases in Minnesota; death toll surpasses 300

197 of the deaths are from Hennepin County.

A single-day record 365 new coronavirus cases were confirmed Monday by the Minnesota Department of Health, bringing the total number of positive COVID-19 tests since March 6 to 4,181. The previous single-day high was 261 on April 25.

Of those positive tests, 301 patients have died – an increase of 15 from Monday’s update. More than 1,900 patients have recovered from the virus.

There were 2,561 tests conducted in the 24 hours that ended 4 p.m. Monday, which comes amid a ramp-up of the state’s testing capability and as such we’re seeing higher numbers of cases. It’s the sixth straight day the state has conducted at least 2,200 tests. Continue reading.

“The Crisis is Worse Because of Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s Failed Leadership”

Minnesota Leaders Respond to Vice-President Pence’s Visit to Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Ahead of Pence’s visit to the Mayo Clinic, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chairman Ken Martin joined Congressman Dean Phillips and State Representative Tina Liebling to highlight the Trump/Pence administration’s broken promises on coronavirus and contrasted the lack of a federal response with the leadership of Governor Walz to expanding testing.

Quote from DFL Chair Ken Martin: “Donald Trump’s chaotic leadership and his decision to force states to go it alone has ultimately made it more difficult for states like Minnesota to get the supplies they need. Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s message to states is clear: you’re on your own. America needs real leadership right now and it’s beyond clear that Donald Trump and Mike Pence are not capable of delivering that and effectively guiding our nation through this crisis. Now unfortunately we’re seeing the consequences. The crisis was made worse because of Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s failed leadership.” Continue reading ““The Crisis is Worse Because of Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s Failed Leadership””

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 27, 2020

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Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:00 PM on 4/27/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Industry, and Department of Agriculture highlighted our public health support and outreach to ensure food processing facilities and workers can navigate the COVID-19 pandemic safely.

The food supply chain is a critical industry in Minnesota, but across the country, food processing facilities have been particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of the virus and have paused operations. The Walz-Flanagan Administration is taking seriously the need to keep workers and inspectors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are in close partnership with facilities, labor, and local officials as we continue to work through this unprecedented time.

Watch for more news later this week as we continue to prioritize Minnesotans’ health, safety and security through this pandemic. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 27, 2020”

Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Division approves new broadband development investments

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Monday, the House Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division approved legislation authored by Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) to increase funding for high-speed broadband internet across the state. Additionally, the bill, HF 3029, strengthens both distance learning and telemedicine under the COVID-19 pandemic with new investments.

“Working, learning, and receiving health care services remotely is impossible without reliable internet access, and COVID-19 has highlighted the difficulties many Minnesotans face without high-speed broadband,” Rep. Ecklund said. “There is a considerable need in Greater Minnesota where thousands of families still lack any access, and this bill is a significant step forward to ensuring all students, families, and businesses can have the broadband access they need to succeed.”

The bill invests $10 million in the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program to expand high-speed broadband, with the funding targeted to unserved areas. It also invests $8 million in a new Distance Learning Broadband Access Grant Program to provide students with the equipment necessary to access learning materials on the internet and reimburse school districts for costs to provide broadband access. Finally, it invests $2 million in the new Telemedicine Equipment Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse health care providers and counties that purchase and install telemedicine equipment to provide COVID-19-related health care services.

The division voted to approve the bill, which next goes to the House Ways and Means Committee. Video of the hearing will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.

 

 

House HHS Finance Division approves wage increase for PCAs, discusses $500 one-time payment for MFIP recipients

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The House Health and Human Services Finance Division Monday discussed two key pieces of legislation to address how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts vulnerable Minnesotans. The first, HF 168 authored by Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth), delivers a 15 percent temporary rate increase for personal care assistance (PCA) services during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes other program modifications.

“Minnesotans with disabilities and the elderly are among those most impacted by our current pandemic, and they deserve to receive quality care and services,” said Rep. Schultz. “PCAs provide critical, but challenging services, and with low wages and benefits, it’s extremely difficult to recruit and retain qualified, dedicated individuals to these positions. By boosting wages in our emergency situation, we can help ensure all Minnesotans can be safe, healthy, and live with dignity.”

In addition to the 15 percent rate increase, PCAs can now be paid for 310 hours of services per month, up from 275. The bill allows parents or legal guardians of a minor PCA recipient or a spouse of a PCA recipient to earn wages for providing PCA services during the peacetime emergency. Continue reading “House HHS Finance Division approves wage increase for PCAs, discusses $500 one-time payment for MFIP recipients”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 26, 2020

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April 26, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:00 PM on 4/26/2020.

Updates from the Governor

The Department of Health today announced that 28 Minnesotans lost their lives due to COVID-19 yesterday, a new high for the state. The Governor and public health officials continue to encourage Minnesotans to stay home if they can to prevent spreading the virus to their neighbors and loved ones.

Below are resources available to support Minnesotans during this challenging time.

Safety at Home: Stay At Home should never mean you stay somewhere unsafe. There are places of sanctuary open for anyone facing abuse or violence. Please call Minnesota’s statewide crisis hotline – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at 1.866.223.1111 or text 612.399.9995.

Unemployment Support: Minnesota is one of the first states in the nation to implement both the $600 per week additional compensation and the 13 week extension of benefits available under the CARES Act. Find these and answers to other unemployment questions here. Continue reading “Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 26, 2020”

Gov. Walz COVID-19 Update: April 25. 2020

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April 25, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 6:30 PM on 4/25/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Thank you to everyone who participated in our week-long mask drive! Minnesotans from every corner of the state sewed and donated masks to their local fire stations to support our congregate care facilities. The folks in congregate care settings are on the frontlines of this pandemic, and Minnesotans went above and beyond to help their communities.

Mask Drive

Week in Review

On Monday, April 20 Governor Walz and Ecolab CEO Doug Baker highlighted how public-private partnerships are strengthening Minnesota’s response to COVID-19. The Governor highlighted the productive partnerships underway across the state that are helping Minnesota source supplies around the world.

On Tuesday, April 21 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.

On Wednesday, April 22 Governor Tim Walz, representatives of the state’s health care delivery systems, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota announced a breakthrough for rapid, widespread testing of COVID-19 in Minnesota. 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.

On Thursday, April 23 the Governor extended distance learning through the end of the school year and announced a plan for up to 100,000 workers to safely return to their jobs.

On Friday, April 24 Governor Walz unveiled a new website to help Minnesotans find a testing location within their community. The Department of Employment and Economic Development also began sending assistance to self-employed people and independent contractors under the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for seven days after your illness onset and three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine (whichever is longer), and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.

Resources

Coverage

Week in Review: April 20-24

A look back at what happened in the Minnesota House of Representatives the week of April 20-24

Although there was no floor session this week, House members still spent a lot of time together, remotely, as more than a dozen “virtual” meetings were held.

In addition to debating a number of bills related to the COVID-19 outbreak – including measures to address housing assistance, small-business loans, mail-in voting, virus testing and tax implications – the House also tackled subjects such as energy efficiency, veterans’ issues and child care assistance.

The week to come is already shaping up to be another busy one, beginning Monday when the House Ways and Means Committee has a morning meeting scheduled, one of five that day, to debate three bills and receive an update on federal funding to help combat the pandemic. Continue reading “Week in Review: April 20-24”