March 17, 2020
Dear Neighbors,
We wanted to write to you today, together, to emphasize the unity that is needed in our community and across the state as we continue to navigate these uncertain and challenging times. Updates are occurring quickly, but here is where things currently stand.
Health Care Response
Early this morning, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation to provide $200 million in investments for a health care response fund and Minnesota’s public health response contingency account, the latest in our efforts to ensure Minnesota has the resources it needs to remain strong both during and after the COVID-19 epidemic.
$150 million of these funds will go to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to make sure Minnesota’s health care providers can respond to this virus with more treatment beds, testing sites, and the increase and protection of staff. The remaining $50 million goes towards a contingency account that can be used for costs needed on an emergency basis to prepare and respond to this or similar pandemics.
Additionally, we passed a resolution allowing the House and Senate to adjourn for more than three days. This procedural change is required as the legislature strives to abide by the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health and as we continue to restructure our work in the House and Senate to focus our legislative work on responding to COVID-19. In the coming weeks, the Legislature will be meeting on an on-call basis, only taking up bills that have the joint support of the House and Senate DFL and GOP.
School Closures
There have been several important state and federal updates over the weekend and yesterday, including the announcement that all Minnesota public schools have been ordered to close by Wednesday, March 18, until Friday, March 27. This time will be used to accommodate planning between school staff, teachers, and administrators with guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Schools will be required to provide care for elementary-age children of health care professionals, first responders, and other emergency workers during previously planned school days to ensure Minnesota’s first line of defense against COVID-19 can stay on the job. It also makes provisions for the continuity of mental health services and requires schools to continue providing meals to students in need.
To find more information on your local school district, please visit their website.
Eden Prairie Public Schools: https://www.edenpr.org/
Minnetonka Public Schools: https://www.minnetonkaschools.org/
Hopkins Public Schools: https://www.hopkinsschools.org/
Restrictions on Restaurants, Closures of Venues
Yesterday, Governor Walz ordered the temporary closure of Minnesota bars and restaurants for dine-in customers, theaters, gyms, and other venues. A tough, but necessary measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and give our hospitals the time they need to treat the virus before we reach unmanageable levels. Closures will begin at 5pm today. In-store pickup, curbside pickup, and delivery will all still be available. You can support local businesses while still keeping your distance during these difficult times.
The executive order leaves hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans with either severely reduced hours or a complete lack of employment for the time being, including many in our community. If you or someone you know has been impacted by these recent closures and restrictions, unemployment benefits are available. You can find an overview of Minnesota’s unemployment benefits here to see if this is an application option.
Additional Information
If you have any questions about our work at the Minnesota Legislature, please feel free to reach out to our offices. In accordance with MDH requirements, our physical offices will only be accessible via appointment, but we are more than happy to respond to questions via phone or email.
For questions relating to health care, schools and child care, or employment, please make use of the numbers and websites below:
School and child care questions:
- Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
- Visit www.education.mn.gov
- Childcare providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268
Health questions:
- 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
- Visit www.health.state.mn.us
Questions for workers and employers:
- 651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858
- Visit www.mn.gov/deed
These are uncertain times, but Minnesota will see the other side. In the meantime, be kind, help one another, and wash your hands.
Sincerely,
Senator Steve Cwodzinski, SD 48
Representative Laurie Pryor, HD 48A
Representative Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn, HD 48B