Category: State Issues

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 7, 2020

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April 7, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 9:00 PM on 4/7/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz today announced that CUB Foods and its parent company United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), in partnership with the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet, has set up an ordering process specifically for child care providers.

Grocers are working tirelessly to meet the needs of Minnesotans – and they’re going the extra mile for our child care providers and emergency workers,” said Governor Walz. “Partnerships like this are critical to keep our communities healthy and safe. I’m grateful to CUB for stepping up in this time of crisis.”

CUB, based in Stillwater, Minnesota, has an extensive statewide supply chain network, including Kemps, that will allow child care providers serving children of emergency workers to secure needed products at convenient, flexible hours and locations. Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 7, 2020”

Minnesota House Education Finance Committee holds official remote hearing

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee held a remote hearing to discuss COVID-19 related legislation. After the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met over the telephone last week, today’s hearing was the second official meeting to be conducted over video conference in the history of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

“Minnesotans expect all their elected officials to step up to the challenge that Minnesota families are facing today as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” remarked Rep. Jim Davnie, Chair of the House Education Finance Committee. “Our goal with this legislation is to support schools, staff, students and families by directing a stable and predictable a path amid what will be and feel like a challenging situation. We’re looking forward, anticipating challenges, and planning for them. I’m pleased to have bipartisan involvement in our work in the Minnesota House.”

The committee discussed a proposed COVID-19 response bill for hourly school workers. A summary of the legislation is available here. Among other things, the legislation provides for compensation for hourly school employees and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices related to COVID-19 related school closures and the conversion to distance learning programs. Continue reading “Minnesota House Education Finance Committee holds official remote hearing”

Minnesota House Approves COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation for Frontline Responders

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SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed legislation delivering workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. In particular, the legislation provides a presumption that if these workers contract COVID, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation. 

The legislation goes into effect for employees who contract COVID-19​ on or after the day following final enactment. 

“It’s easy to find the heroes in this pandemic,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Our first responders and health care workers are putting themselves on the front line of this battle every day. They need to know we have their backs. We are pleased we were able to come to a consensus on this important issue.” Continue reading “Minnesota House Approves COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation for Frontline Responders”

Financial Assistance Available for Veterans Affected by COVID-19

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Minnesota Veterans affected financially by COVID-19 can now apply for financial assistance thanks to new funding approved by the legislature. Approximately $6.2 million is available in two new grants available for veterans.

“The economic effects of COVID-19 have been devastating on the pocketbook of hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans, and our veterans are being hit especially hard,” said Senator Jerry Newton (DFL-Coon Rapids), ranking DFL lead on the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee. “These grant program provides an immediate boost for our veterans, and I encourage people to apply as soon as possible. I want to thank Governor Walz for prioritizing the needs of our veterans, and for my colleagues in the legislature who came together in bipartisan agreement to make this possible.”

The purpose of the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Grant and COVID-19 Special Needs Grant is to mitigate the negative effects and economic impact COVID-19 has had on Veterans and their families by providing one-time financial relief grants in the amount of $1,000 and $3,000 respectively. Applications for either grant must demonstrate a financial loss on or after the date of the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order, March 13, 2020. Continue reading “Financial Assistance Available for Veterans Affected by COVID-19”

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 6, 2020

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April 6, 2020

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

Updates from the Governor

Amid rising reports of discrimination from the Asian Pacific Islander community, Governor Tim Walz launched a Discrimination Helpline today to reinforce the state’s efforts to protect the civil rights of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The helpline will allow Minnesotans who experience or witness discrimination to report incidents directly to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Minnesotans are resilient people who support their neighbors when the going gets tough,” Governor Walz said. “As Asian Americans in Minnesota report heightened cases of discrimination amid COVID-19, my message is clear: Viruses don’t discriminate, and neither do we.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: April 6, 2020”

At the head of state Health Department, Jan Malcolm is ‘Minnesota’s Dr. Fauci’

Her days are long, filled with press briefings and conference calls, but she retains her frank, calm delivery.

It was two months into the national crisis, and Jan Malcolm was calm, sitting with a pen and paper, fielding questions on quarantines, testing capacity and the spread of infectious diseases.

As head of Minnesota’s Department of Health, Malcolm reflexively kept coming back to the “public” part of the public health crisis, emphasizing the little things people can do to seize control of their lives at a time when it feels like they have none: Don’t smoke. Get plenty of rest. Wash your hands.

“We can’t be certain what’s ahead of us,” she said, “but the best way to fight back is to take charge of things that are in our control.” Continue reading.

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Upate: April 5, 2020

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April 5, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 7:00 PM on 4/5/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz delivered his second State of the State address remotely from the Governor’s Residence. During his speech, he recognized the new reality facing Minnesotans as COVID-19 disrupts their everyday lives, a reality that far exceeds Minnesota’s harshest winters. But he also pointed out that Minnesotans are resilient people with a deep reserve of courage, optimism, and grit. While there’s no stopping the storm of COVID-19 from hitting Minnesota, we are preparing for it:

  • We are building our hospital capacity so that we can ensure as many Minnesotans as possible receive the care they need when they need it.
  • We are increasing testing to better track the disease.
  • We are increasing ventilators and ICU beds for when people fall ill.
  • We are doing all we can to find more personal protective equipment for the selfless doctors, nurses, first-responders, and so many others on the frontlines against COVID-19.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Upate: April 5, 2020”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on State of the State

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s second State of the State address:

“Governor Walz and his Administration have shown incredible leadership and have served the people of Minnesota well during this crisis,” said Speaker Hortman. “The Minnesota House of Representatives will continue working with the Governor and doing everything we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time and into the future. Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times. Despite the challenges and uncertainty before us, we remain confident in our ability to come together and pull through.”

“During this pandemic, we appreciate Governor Walz and his team’s strong work to protect the health and well-being of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Despite the challenges we’re facing, we know Minnesotans will meet the moment. The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing to work hard on behalf of our constituents, and we know there are more issues we will need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. We are already looking ahead and exploring options to address the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a brighter future for all Minnesotans.”