Sen. John Hoffman Update: April 11, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Passover and Easter to all those who celebrate. It is a strange time doing these things in isolation when normally we would gather with friends, family and community members. It is important to remember that while we are safely distancing ourselves, we can still stay in touch with our friends, family and community via safe methods.

Zoom has proven to be a valuable tool, phone calls, emails, skype and google hangouts. In this time we do have a plethora of valuable platforms to connect with each other so that while we may not share a table, we can share our presence with each other. As we see the needs of safety extend protective policy further, it is that much more important we do not lose sight of everyone important to us.

I’ll keep you updated as best I can as the situation progresses and will keep advocating for our citizens. Stay safe out there, take care of yourselves and each other.

From my family to yours,

John

Workers’ compensation for front line workers

Legislators passed a bill this week that will ensure health care workers, emergency responders, childcare workers, and other similarly situated critical employees have access to workers’ compensation benefits if they contract COVID-19 while working. These workers are at increased risk because they have greater exposure to sick individuals, which is compounded by the concern that they lack the necessary personal protective equipment as a result of product shortages across the globe.

The legislation comes after Senator Simonson called for the increase in coverage during a previous floor session, when legislation passed at that time did not include such protections. Through our hard work and through the work of a coalition of outside advocacy groups, an agreement was reached amongst legislative leaders that allowed the changes to come to the Senate floor this week for approval.

Our first responders and health care workers cannot stay at home during this crisis and are instead putting their lives, and the health and safety of their families, on the line every day to keep our communities safe and care for those who are suffering. They are there for us at our most vulnerable moments, willing to risk their own safety to help all of us. It is imperative that we are there for them if they become ill through their work, and passing this legislation is the least we can do to protect them and their families.

The 2020 Legislature continues to meet to address needs of Minnesotans

The Minnesota Legislature will next meet in session on April 14 to take up legislation to provide insulin for uninsured Minnesotans with diabetes or those who can’t afford it, in addition to other potential priorities specific to the COVID-19 crisis.

It is important for the Legislature to continue meet and pass legislation to make sure Minnesotans are protected and we come out of the pandemic in the strongest economic position possible. This week, the Legislature proved it can do so in a safe and effective manner by establishing procedures for remote voting that limit personal contact within the Capitol. The Minnesota Senate is doing what it can to help our state prepare, respond, and eventually defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

With an anticipated change in the long-term budget forecast and most of the budgetary balance invested in dealing with COVID-19, it is expected the $2 billion rainy-day fund will be tapped to address Minnesota’s most critical needs. This is a huge reversal from late February, when officials forecasted a projected surplus of $1.5 billion. Minnesota lawmakers are in the process of understanding what types of federal assistance we can rely upon, what ongoing needs will need legislative action, and how we can plan for the future amidst much uncertainty.

Other priorities that the Senate is hopeful to address before May 18 include a strong bonding bill that creates jobs; funding flexibility for school districts; rental and landlord assistance funding; transportation and transit reforms; expanding broadband; policies to enhance protections for discriminatory behaviors; and support for businesses and employees negatively impacted by COVID. This list is not at all exhaustive, but it highlights a few issues that lawmakers are discussing.

You can watch Senate proceedings and remain aware of meeting schedules at: www.senate.mn

All of these conversations will continue between now and the constitutional end of session on May 18, and the Legislature stands ready to respond when needed.

Hotline established to help victims of discrimination, hate crimes

Asian and Pacific Islander Minnesotans are experiencing an increase in discrimination and hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to this rise in hate, a hotline has been established to allow those who experience or witness bias and discrimination to report incidents to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The toll-free helpline is at 1-833-454-0148 and is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Minnesotans can call the discrimination hotline or complete and submit this online form. Translation and interpretation services are available.

The Department of Human Rights has also released a newsletter with more resources on fighting discrimination that can be found here.

If you have been the victim of a crime, including a hate crime, or fear for your safety, please call 911 immediately.

Governor Walz has spoken out on the issue, stating that “viruses don’t discriminate, and neither should we”. He has said that the state encourages anyone who experiences discrimination to report it. Senate DFLers are looking at additional ways to combat this increase in discrimination and hate crimes, and we advocate that all Minnesotans strongly condemn this behavior.

Minnesota to receive federal disaster assistance

Governor Tim Walz’s request for federal disaster assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic was granted this week, unlocking additional federal funds for emergency protection and recovery.

Federal funding will now be made available to state, tribal, and certain eligible local governments and private nonprofits for emergency protective measures for all areas of the state impacted by COVID-19. The funding will also be retroactively available to January 20, 2020 and will be continuous.

The new federal funding will go to a variety of programs, including support for crisis counseling, supplemental nutrition programs, medical assistance, funeral assistance, legal services, and statewide hazard mitigation.

Major disasters have now been declared in more than 40 other states since the COVID-19 crisis began.

U of M predicts substantial revenue losses from COVID-19

University of Minnesota Regents this week learned the system could lose between $85 million and $315 million due to the coronavirus outbreak and may implement a tuition freeze in the future. Students were also notified via email that all summer courses will be provided online this year. Individual campuses will communicate how courses will be implemented and offered as summer approaches.

Regents will get a full picture of the U’s budget in May when President Joan Gabel makes her proposals. U of M officials outlined the budget concerns in “best case”, “moderate case”, and “worst case” scenarios” during their virtual meeting this week; a best-case scenario would be operations returning to normal this summer, moderate-case looks like things returning to normal by fall, and the worst-case would be things not returning to normal until next spring.

Projected revenue losses predicted are:

  • Best case: $85 million
  • Moderate: $160 million
  • Worst case: $315 million

The next steps to address the budget shortfall include: hiring, reclassification, and merit increase freezes for the next fiscal year; actions by senior leadership across the institution to voluntarily take one week unpaid leave in the current fiscal year; additional, voluntary, temporary pay reductions for the President and Cabinet leaders in the next fiscal year; and the tuition freeze for fiscal year 2021 that would need Board approval.

Several Regents suggested a tuition freeze earlier in the meeting, though no action was taken, and no formal motion was made to do so. University administrators are also waiting for more specific information on the $36 million in federal stimulus funds of which a minimum must be spent on student assistance. President Gabel noted the University will take other steps to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on funds, including seeking reimbursements and refunds from external parties; philanthropy; implementing cost savings; tapping departmental reserves for volatile revenues and departmental and unit balances; and using available central University balances and central reserves.

The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act passes through conference committee

More than a year after the DFL introduced the Alec Smith Emergency Insulin Act, an agreement has finally been reached for an emergency insulin access program and ongoing patient assistance programs. HF 3100 passed through conference committee with unanimous support from all ten conferees from the House and Senate. Conferees will sign the conference committee report electronically so the bill can be taken up on April 14 when legislators return from recess.

This bill aims to ensure no one dies from a lack of access to affordable insulin. Alec Smith died in 2017 at age 26, after being forced to ration his insulin due to the extremely high costs of this life-saving medication. Alec’s story has sparked a dialogue in Minnesota, putting a spotlight on the skyrocketing cost of insulin and the frequency with which Minnesotans must decide between rationing or going without this medication if they cannot afford it.  While we wish an agreement could have been made sooner, the looming coronavirus pandemic that has resulted in numerous job losses and layoffs only reinforced the urgency of finding an immediate solution for Minnesotans who rely on insulin.

This is not a perfect bill. We have raised concerns on eligibility requirements that limit access to only those with a valid Minnesota ID, license, or permit, which may leave out many people needing emergency access. Advocates raised concerns on the 30-day limit of emergency insulin that would be provided and the income eligibility requirements for the long-term program. Nonetheless, advocates and legislators agreed this bill will save lives and provide long-awaited relief to insulin-dependent Minnesotans. (HF 3100)

COVID-19 workgroup hears from the health care industry

The Minnesota Senate has formed a working group to discuss the state’s response to COVID-19 and review proposals from the Governor and the Legislature to address needed action. Last week, this working group met to discuss COVID-19’s impact on the health care industry and heard from testifiers representing hospitals, nurses, and long-term care facilities on the challenges they face in response to this crisis.

Health care workers across the state of Minnesota are adapting to face these unprecedented times as best they can with oftentimes limited resources. Limited personal protective equipment (PPE) is a huge concern for those on the frontlines of this pandemic. Legislators continue to hear stories of nurses and other health care workers who are forced to reuse their protective masks for multiple shifts due to these shortages. Senate DFLers know this is unsafe and unacceptable. We are committed to working with partners at the Department of Administration and State Emergency Operations Center to find solutions to these shortages and make sure that supplies are equitably distributed to all who need them.

Senators also heard more about the serious financial dilemmas hospitals across Minnesota are facing during this time. While many hospitals are supportive of Governor Walz’s actions to delay elective surgeries and procedures to protect the health of Minnesotans and conserve critical PPE, we know this comes at an extreme cost, both through lost revenue and in staff furloughs and lay-offs. We continue to explore ways to support those who are not working through no fault of their own, including options to retrain staff who are able to work in different clinical or long-term care settings. We are also hopeful financial relief is on its way as the Minnesota Department of Health will soon be allocating the $200 million in funding passed by the Legislature for health care settings to address COVID-19-related expenses.

COVID-19 working group looks at long-term care industry

The Senate’s COVID-19 working group met this week to hear from experts in long-term care (LTC) services on how they are responding to this crisis and the significant challenges they face. Legislators heard from providers, the State Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, and the Minnesota Department of Health on their recommendations for the Legislature and to learn about their efforts to make sure organizations serving seniors across Minnesota are supported.

Residents at LTC facilities are at extreme risk during this pandemic due to older age, underlying medical conditions, and congregate living conditions. In response to this crisis, facilities have had to make significant changes to daily operations in recent weeks like in-room meal deliveries and limiting family visitation. These changes often make seniors feel even more isolated, and providers are hopeful that some of these measures can be loosened as they continue to advocate for additional testing supplies and more personal protective equipment.

Last week, state officials released the names of long-term care facilities with one or more known cases of COVID-19 among staff or residents; names of homes with fewer than 10 residents are withheld in an effort to protect privacy. MDH emphasized that this list is not intended to shame facilities or their staff but is a way to keep families informed during this time. When a positive case is found at facility, they are assigned a case manager and contacted by infection-control experts to provide support and guidance.

The Ombudsman for Long-Term care noted that there has been an uptick in the number of calls they have received from families and LTC residents over the past few weeks. This office is committed to working with families and residents who have concerns or complaints about the long-term services and supports they receive. Regional ombudsmen are available to assist with issues related to health and safety, consumer rights, and person-centered planning. For more information on the Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, visit: mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/seniors/services/ombudsman

MDH continues to work with legislators and advocates to explore options to make sure LTC providers have regulatory flexibility and supports they need during this time. While issues like PPE supply shortages and limited testing remain, legislators are committed to finding solutions to support residents and the staff that care for them.

Telemedicine restrictions loosened in response to COVID-19

To combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesotans have had to quickly adapt to ever-changing circumstances. As the need for social distancing and quarantining continues to be increasingly vital, health care providers and social services workers are offering more telehealth options as a means to stay in contact with patients and clients.

Recent changes by the Legislature have expanded telemedicine services to include communications with patients or clients over the telephone while they are at home. Modifications to loosen the restrictions on telemedicine policy for commercially-insured patients under the Peacetime Emergency were passed by the Legislature last month (SF 4334). The Department of Human Services (DHS) is also significantly adjusting their policies to make sure those with Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare have access to telemedicine services in areas like health care, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, school-linked mental health programs, waiver programs, and state agency hearings. These changes are allowed under the temporary emergency authority granted by Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-12. More information on DHS modifications for changes to services under Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare can be found here.

For more guidance, Minnesotans should contact their personal health care provider or local social services agency to see what telemedicine options are available in place of in-person visits.

Test to see if a person has recovered from COVID-19 being developed

Researchers at Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota are developing antibody tests that would tell whether a person has had and recovered from COVID-19. The tests would help public health officials understand the scope of the outbreak and identify when people have recovered from COVID-19 and are no longer at risk of contracting or spreading the virus.

Additionally, it is important to have a better understanding of how many people have been infected, even if they have recovered. Knowing the true number of individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 would allow us to determine a more accurate case fatality rate.

FDA approval is not needed for this test; however, laboratories that are working on these tests must go through a very rigorous verification process to make sure the tests they’re offering provide proper results. Clinicians will be able to order this for individuals who they think would be helped with the results, to either guide return to work decisions or further quarantining. The ability to know who has the virus and who doesn’t could provide critical information for people and entire regions and could allow people to safely return to public spaces and to help with relief efforts.

There are also convalescent plasma treatment trials taking place. As the country waits for antivirals to be developed and deployed, there are bridging therapies in the works. So, if the antibody test works and individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 are identified, health care providers can collect their plasma, make sure that it has the antibodies, and then use that plasma to treat acutely ill patients. It provides somebody else’s antibodies to ill patients who don’t have an immune response mounted yet, and these antibodies would essentially help to fight off the virus.

COVID crisis exacerbates disparities in Minnesota

Though many Minnesotans face unemployment on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities of color have been particularly impacted by the crisis. Since March 16, 19% of workers of color and indigenous and Latinx workers have applied for unemployment insurance, compared to the 9.5% of the white workforce in the state. Seeing this increase of disparities in our employment sector, and similarly in our health sector, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has developed certain strategies in an effort to mitigate and close the disparities seen within the state.

DEED Commissioner Steve Grove announced a series of actions the Department has begun to take to combat racial disparities in Minnesota. These efforts include translating state information and documents into other languages and offering translation services when needed; connecting with community leaders and media within minority communities; and preventing unemployment from occurring in the first place by working with lenders for small business loan programs that will focus on communities of color. Nearly half of loans authorized through the state small business loan program have gone to lenders specifically serving businesses owned by black, indigenous, and Latinx Minnesotans and other Minnesotans of color.

All Minnesotans deserve to have access to relief during this crisis. That means reexamining the accessibility of our systems to Minnesotans whose first language may not be English and those who traditionally face systemic barriers to receiving services and making the necessary changes to connect more people to the resources they need.

COVID-19 workgroup looks at economy and state budget

A bipartisan group of legislators heard from testifiers on the state budget and the information on the overall economy. Commissioner Frans indicated that the February forecast that projected budget surpluses will be flawed as a result of the pandemic. The forecast is critical as legislators use the report to make spending and revenue decisions during the legislative session. At the time of their testimony, they anticipated a new forecast being developed, but it was unclear when it would be ready.

Nonpartisan fiscal staff told members about Minnesota’s allocation under the federal stimulus bill (CARES Act) in response to the pandemic. As part of that proposal, state governments and local units of government were given more than $2 billion in financial assistance. The allocation for the state will be roughly $1.869 billion, while local units of government can anticipate receiving $316.9 million.

In a separate hearing late last week, Dr. Neel Kashkari, President of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, discussed the unique challenges the pandemics brings to our economy. He stated that economic recovery is still difficult to determine because of the unpredictability of COVID-19. In his remarks, he also said it is important that we support our health care system because it will translate into faster economic recovery.

2020 road construction season begins

MnDOT has announced the beginning of the 2020 construction season, with 188 road and bridge projects scheduled across the state. The governor’s Executive Order designates construction and utility workers as critical sector employees, which means the Stay-at Home Order does not apply to them.

The lack of road traffic due to the Stay-at Home Order has allowed MnDOT to accelerate some projects, including improvements to Highway 5 near the airport. The lack of daytime traffic has also allowed MnDOT to avoid some night shifts and will help to keep construction workers safer on the job. Social distancing guidelines from the CDC will continue to be adhered to on state construction projects. A full list of projects can be found on MnDOT’s website.

Senate COVID working group meets on transportation

Legislative leaders representing transportation issues have come to a bipartisan agreement on a variety of proposals to continue to address mobility and supply chain concerns during the COVID-19 crisis. The Senate COVID-19 response working group considered transportation reforms this week, which will be incorporated into the next COVID response bill.

The changes allow out-of-state drivers a license extension, commercial drivers an exemption to in-person license renewal requirements, extend the expiration of non-passenger vehicle tabs that cannot be renewed online, and allow Metro Transit to use federal funds to protect drivers and keep public facilities sanitary.

Ensuring that commercial truckers are able to continue the delivery of critical goods and maintain supply chains has been a priority for legislators. These changes will streamline commercial license renewals during the peacetime emergency, along with efforts by the department of public safety to resume road exams for new commercial drivers’ licenses. Even though traffic may be significantly reduced through the Stay-at-Home Order, ensuring our critical sector workers are able to safety get to their workplaces will remain an important goal.

Thank you and stay safe!

It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit normally. However, due to the health issues regarding the coronavirus I’d like to inform you of a few changes made at the legislature for the moment.

Currently we are not gathering in the office save for legislative work to protect Minnesota Citizens. I will update you as the situations progresses and changes, but as said above you can still reach out anytime by email and phone.

So stay safe, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154.

Sincerely,

Senator John Hoffman

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn

Governor unveils new dashboard for tracking COVID in Minnesota

During his daily update on April 3, Governor Walz unveiled a new State of Minnesota COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the virus in Minnesota and provides updates on the latest available data, such as the number of available ventilators, ICU beds, and test results. The dashboard is being updated daily and is available to the public, so every Minnesotan can find the information they need to stay informed as the state works to address this crisis.

The dashboard can be accessed at this linkor online at mn.gov/covid19.

Governor Walz issues executive order to extend stay-at-home

As a recommendation from the CDC, Governor Walz announced an executive order this week that will extend the current stay-at-home order in place. Minnesota will now practice and implement further social distancing measures until May 4, as opposed to the former end date of April 10. Executive Order 20-33 also extends the closure of bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations to this date.

As Minnesota’s total laboratory-confirmed COVID cases has risen to 1,154 and total number of fatalities to 39 individuals, further social distancing will be required to postpone the severity of the impact of COVID-19 until the necessary resources and infrastructure to handle the surge are in place.

Minnesota has done well at social distancing and as bought some much needed time before we see the peak of cases here. By extending the stay-at-home order, we will buy ourselves additional time to prepare by manufacturing and purchasing resources such as ventilators (which increase the likelihood of survival of a patient in need by 10 times), building hospital infrastructure, and organizing hospitals for the pandemic’s peak. Should Minnesota continue this social distancing, it is estimated the peak would be pushed out to July.

The administration is working diligently to evaluate the best ways to protect our citizens while helping small businesses that can open safely get back to business – without furthering the spread of this virus. Governor Walz said he is encouraging small businesses to work with his agencies to set up safety protocols so the state can make better determinations as to which businesses could open earlier and still operate in a safe way to mitigate the spread of the virus. However, at this time, many small businesses are still being asked to adhere to executive order 20-33 and remain closed until May 4. The governor is in communication with his agencies regarding which businesses will be allowed to re-open and operate safely to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Minnesotans are permitted to leave their homes under the following circumstances, while still maintaining social distancing protocol (i.e. remaining six feet apart):

  • Relocation to ensure safety, such as relocating to a different location if your home is unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or reasons related to essential operations.
  • Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies.
  • Outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing.
  • Necessary supplies and services, such as getting groceries, gasoline, or carry-out.
  • Essential intrastate and interstate travel, such as returning to a home from outside this state.
  • Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household.
  • Displacement, such as moving between emergency shelters if you are without a home.
  • Moving or relocation, such as moving to a new home or place of residence.
  • Voting, including all local and state elections.
  • Funerals, provided that no more than ten attendees are gathered, and strict social distancing is enforced.
  • Tribal activities and lands, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservation.

State-level resources for Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic

With daily changes in how we as Minnesotans are responding to the ongoing pandemic, here are some resources to help you stay up to date on the latest COVID-related news. This list will be updated on an ongoing basis, but if you need help looking for a resource not included below, please reach out to [YOUR OFFICE-SPECIFIC INFO – Best way to contact, etc.]

Health and Human Services:

  • Governor Walz’s new Dashboard tracking COVID-19 in Minnesotacan be found HERE
  • Hotline for Health Questions:

651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)
Visit www.health.state.mn.us

  • MNsure enrollment: Governor Walz and MNsure announced a 30-day special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. The SEP opened on March 23 and runs through April 21. It will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through org
  • The Department of Human Services has a number of updates and resources that can be accessed on their website, available HERE. If you are receiving services or would like to see what is available, go online to learn more about the programs and services administered by DHS.

Seniors:

  • If you need help finding alternative services, the Senior LinkAge Line is 1-800-333-2433. Senior LinkAge Line specialists assist seniors in finding the resources and services they need.
  • Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota-North Dakota
    • 24/7 helpline: 800-272-3900
    • Online resources, virtual community programs, and caregiver tips are available HERE.
  • Leading Age Minnesota has a number of tools & resources for caregivers to utilize, including visitation guidance, information on state and federal funding, and other resources for prevention and monitoring, all of which can be found HERE.

K-12 Education and Childcare:

  • Hotline for School and Childcare questions:
    Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)
  • Hotline for Childcare Providers with questions: 1-888-234-1268
  • Updates about K-12 education from the Minnesota Department of Education can be found online HERE
  • Information on childcare for families and providers can be found online HERE

Meals for kids: MDE announced a new app/website that can be used to locate free meals for kids, in addition to what districts are doing: www.hungerimpactpartners.org.

Housing and Employment:

  • Hotline for workers and employers: 651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858, or visit mn.gov/deed
  • Hotlines for housing questions:
    • For single-family residences: 651-296-8215
    • For multi-family residences: 651-297-4455
    • Available Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
  • Apply for unemployment insuranceat this website.

For Undocumented Minnesotans:

Metro Transit: stay up to date on transit changes due to COVID by visiting their website.

Discrimination Hotline to report discrimination on account of COVID-19 (translation services available):

Governor Walz’s Stay-At-Home Executive Order:

  • Governor Walz issued a Stay-At-Home order on March 27, lasting until April 10, which can be read HERE. NOTE: The Order was extended on April 8 and will last until May 4. More information can be found on gov/covid19.
  • Guidance on the Order, including information on critical workers exempted from the Order, can be found HERE.
  • The governor’s office has compiled an FAQ page about the Order, which can be accessed online HERE.

There is now a hotline and email for residents to report violations: 651-793-3746 or sahviolations@state.mn.us

U of M Regents increase refunds for students

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved a refund increase for fees paid for housing, meals, transportation, parking, and health services that went unused after the campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first change was made on April 3, using March 28 as the start date for reimbursement. An amendment to push that date to the day students returned from spring break failed on a 6-6 vote. After further pushback from students, President Joan Gabel and the Board revisited the issue on April 7 and changed the reimbursement dates to March 16 for the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Rochester campuses and March 23 for Morris and Crookston, the end of spring breaks on the respective campuses.

The date change will cost the U of M $35 million, an increase from the $24.8 million from the original proposal.

Originally, the U of M announced it would reimburse students for around $1,200 of the $5,000 average paid even though about half the semester remained. The reimbursement rates were made at the administrative level, and the Regents did not act on it as part of a regular meeting.

Following the meeting, funds will be reimbursed in the following manner (information distributed by the U of M):

  • Housing and Residential Life: Students who have a spring semester contract for any Housing and Residential Life service (housing, dining plans, and flex-dine/dining dollars), on any campus, will receive a 100% credit of their housing and dining fees from either March 16 or March 23 to the end of their contract. This credit does not apply if students have remained on campus and are currently a resident of a University-managed residence hall or apartment.
  • Voluntary Meal Plan: For students with block, standard 11-meal, 14-meal, or Anytime voluntary meal plans, they will receive a 100% credit of their dining plans from March 16 or March 23 through the end of the spring semester.
  • Parking Fee: For students who have paid for parking on the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, or Twin Cities campuses, they will receive 100% of their parking fee credited from March 16 or March 23 to the end of their semester contract. Rochester has no University-owned parking.
  • Recreation and Wellness Fee: For the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, and Twin Cities campuses, students will receive 100% credit of the recreation and wellness fee from March 16 or March 23 through the last day of finals in May. Students on the Rochester campus will not be charged for April and May fees from the Rochester YMCA since the YMCA will, in turn, not be billing the University of Minnesota Rochester for this time period.
  • Student Services Fee: Students will receive 50% credit for the student services fee from March 16 or March 23 through the last day of finals in May.
  • Transportation and Safety: For the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses, students will receive 100% credit of the transportation and safety fee from March 16 or March 23 through the last day of finals in May. Crookston, Morris, and Rochester campuses do not charge this fee.

All accounts will be automatically credited within one month and requires no action by students.

Unemployment Insurance Update

Under federal legislation (CARES Act) signed into law on March 27, several important changes were made to unemployment insurance (UI) benefits administered by the states. These changes did several things related to UI benefits, including adding a supplemental payment of $600, extended eligibility (13 week extension), and expanded who could access benefits (self-employed/independent contractors).

Before these benefits can be given to Minnesotans, the state – who administers UI benefits – needs guidance from the federal government on how to implement these new benefits. The delay in getting these benefits out the door is directly linked to the guidance states are seeking from the federal government. For instance, the state UI office is still waiting for guidance from the federal government on expanded benefit access but anticipates that the benefit will be available before the end of April.

Qualified applicants do not need to take any action to receive the $600 supplemental payment. Once the UI Office gets guidance from the federal government, the money will be distributed. Additionally, those seeking benefits (self-employed/independent contractors) who wouldn’t typically qualify should apply for benefits now based on the schedule below. Self-employed and individual contractors may initially get a rejection letter, but DEED will reverse this once they receive federal guidance. If you fall under this category, a guide was created to assist you in your application.

Because of the volume of inquiries and applications the UI office is receiving, they are asking applicants to review the FAQs at the bottom of their webpage and apply for benefits online when possible.  Additionally, they would like applicants applying for the first time online to apply during specific days to more evenly spread out the volume of applications they are receiving. The schedule is below.

This table lists the day and time to start an application based on the last digit of your Social Security number:

Social Security No.                   Day of Week           Time
0, 1 or 2                                          Monday                   6 am to 8 pm
3, 4 or 5                                         Tuesday                   6 am to 8 pm
6, 7, 8 or 9                                    Wednesday            6 am to 8 pm
Any                                                  Thursday                6 am to 8 pm
Any                                                  Friday                       6 am to 8 pm

Legislature takes care of veterans during COVID-19

The last COVID-19 response bill the Legislature passed included $6.2 million in grants for veterans experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. That grant money became available this week.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will award one-time grants of up to $1,000 in disaster relief and up to $3,000 in special needs to qualifying veterans; the grants may be used for both disaster relief and special needs. Eligible applicants must be a veteran or surviving spouse, be a Minnesota resident, and be financially impacted by COVID-19.

To apply for a disaster relief grant or special needs grant, qualifying veterans should contact their local county veterans service officer, their veterans affairs field operations representative at fo.mdva@state.mn.us.

Disaster relief grants may also be applied for online at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief. County veterans service officers may be found and contacted via MACVSO.org. More information on the relief grants may be found at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVIDRelief.

Next week’s tax deadline delayed for some

The Minnesota Department of Revenue followed the IRS in moving Minnesota’s 2019 income tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, 2020. Those who are able to file and pay by April 15 are encouraged to do so, but individual income taxpayers will not be assessed penalties or interest on taxes filed or payments received by July 15.

The extension does not include estimated tax payments for Minnesota income tax due April 15 for the 2020 tax year. It also does not include corporate franchise, S-Corporation, Partnership, or estate or trust taxes. This is different than the federal changes, which did extend the date for estimated 2020 payments as well.

It’s understandable that this creates some difficulties for some taxpayers that file estimated payments, including many businesses. The Department of Revenue has been working in earnest to balance the challenges faced by taxpayers with the challenges facing the state during this difficult time. Simply extending the individual income tax deadline alone had the potential to delay more than $1 billion of revenue otherwise due to the state’s coffers, which would create a serious cash-flow problem for the state. The situation is especially fragile since the state is also expending a great deal of money to address the COVID-19 crisis right now. The Revenue Department had to make the difficult, but responsible, decision to not delay all tax-filing deadlines in order to protect the state’s budget balance.

Taxpayers who cannot file or pay a specific tax by the stated due date have the ability under current law to request abatement of penalty and interest for reasonable cause, including emergency declarations by the president and governor due to COVID-19. Those with questions can keep tabs of current information at: www.revenue.state.mn.us/our-response-covid-19. Updates on federal tax issues may be found at the IRS website: www.irs.gov.

Minnesotans are urged to enjoy the outdoors — but stay close to home

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a clarification this week of the state’s position on outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 outbreak, saying people are encouraged to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, but they should do by staying close to home.

State officials explained that the spirit of Governor Walz’s “stay-at-home” order is that people stay near their communities for recreation, even if the letter of the law doesn’t specifically say that.  This means Minnesotans should not take trips across the state to go fishing, hunting, hiking, or mushroom hunting.  Instead, they should remain near their homes.

While acknowledging that Minnesotans have deeply cherished outdoor traditions and the current situation is hard on everyone, DNR officials stress that people need to use common sense about where they should be outdoors until the order is lifted.  The spirt of the “stay-at-home” order is that people do not travel outside of their own communities for outdoor recreation.

In a recent statement, Governor Walz’s office reminded Minnesotans that while the “stay-at home” order allows outdoor recreation, it is not a blank check to travel.

“To save lives, we need as many Minnesotans to stay home as possible. The exemptions are meant to be narrow and allow for the continuation of critical health and safety functions. Although the executive order doesn’t prohibit traveling for outdoor recreation, the Governor strongly urges all Minnesotans to stay close to their primary residences,” the statement noted. “If people do go out, they are asked to maintain strict social distancing. Staying home helps protect your neighbors from spreading COVID-19 and also avoids crowding rural medical facilities. Avoiding this kind of travel makes us all safer and healthier.”

It remains unknown how long the “stay-at-home” order may be in place or whether COVID-19 restrictions will remain in effect when the fishing and boating season normally kicks into high gear.  One of the state’s most popular events, the general fishing opener, is still set for May 9, and anglers are asked to stay near their own communities, close to home.

Information and Resources

State Government

Governor:  651.201.3400 | http://mn.gov/governor

Attorney General:  651.296.3353 | www.ag.state.mn.us

Representative Melissa Hortman (36B):  651.296.4280

Representative Zack Stephenson (36A):  651.296.5513

Driver’s Licenses
651.297.3298 | drivers-license-information.aspx

MN Energy Assistance Program
800.657.3710 | https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp

Election Information
651.215.1440 | https://www.sos.state.mn.us/

Emerald Ash Borer Prevention
and Detection (MN Dept. of Agriculture)
651.201.6684 | pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontrol

Local Government

City of Champlin:  763.421.8100

City of Brooklyn Park:  763.424.8000

City of Coon Rapids:  763.755.2880

Anoka County 763.421.4760

Federal Government

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
612.727.5220 | https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
202.224-5641 | https://www.smith.senate.gov/HomePage

U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips (3rd CD)
202.225.2871 | https://phillips.house.gov