Dear Neighbors,
It has been another busy week in the Legislature. We passed a $331.5 million funding bill to support Minnesotans as we navigate the implications of COVID-19 together. The Governor also signed more executive orders: A Stay-at-Home order for Minnesotans beginning tonight through April 10, an extension of restaurant and bar closures until May 1, and the implementation of distance learning for schools until May 4. These dates are subject to change as the situation progresses. Representative Huot and I also hosted a virtual Town Hall this week; notes are at the end of this newsletter.
Please do not hesitate to continue reaching out with any questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
Greg Clausen
COVID-19 Relief Package
The Senate met in session this week to pass new measures to strengthen Minnesota’s response to the spread of COVID-19. The measures included a relief package of $331.5 million to help families, businesses, and state agencies respond to the growing effects of COVID-19 on the state’s economy, as well as policy changes necessary to help provide economic security and safety for Minnesotans.
COVID-19 Minnesota Fund
Approximately $200 million of the funding will be going to the newly created COVID-19 Minnesota Fund. The money in the fund will be available to the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget, who can transfer funds to agencies as necessary to protect Minnesotans from the COVID-19 outbreak and to maintain the operations of government during this peacetime emergency. For example, the fund could be used to pay for increased healthcare and staffing costs in prison facilities, staffing and overtime in direct care and treatment, and resources for potential response activities by the Minnesota National Guard.
Funding for Other Critical Needs
Several other critical needs will receive additional funding in response to the effects of COVID-19. Approximately $2.4 million will go to the Department of Vehicle Services to increase their capacity to process drivers’ licenses. Food shelf programs would receive $9 million, while housing supports would receive $5.5 million. Childcare grants totaling $29.9 million would be available to help providers. Assistance for military veterans would total $6.2 million. An additional $26.3 million would be available for first responders in the form of Emergency Services Grants. The bill also includes much-needed support for Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations, with $11 million in grants.
Minnesota’s Small Businesses
Due to the state-ordered shutdown, many of Minnesota’s small businesses are struggling. These businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy and employ hundreds of thousands of people in every corner of the state. This bill includes $40 million in support for small businesses: $30 million will go to a small business emergency loan account that will be available throughout the peacetime emergency and an additional $10 million for the small business loan guarantee program administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development. While these measures will help, we are doing everything we can to find more ways to support small businesses.
Funding for the Minnesota Department of Health
This new funding is in addition to the $200 million aid package that was passed last week. Of that, $150 million was appropriated to the Minnesota Department of Health to create temporary testing, treatment, and quarantine sites and to make and administer a grant program for health care providers for costs related to COVID-19. The remaining $50 million will be added to the public health response contingency account. This is in addition to the $20.9 million passed earlier this month that can be used for costs relating to planning, preparing, or responding to a pandemic influenza or communicable or infectious disease.
While this new funding provides critical support for areas of need, more work remains. We are working tirelessly to provide more support for Minnesotans affected by COVID-19. This includes securing guaranteed pay for hourly workers in our schools, increasing outreach and support for Minnesotans experiencing homelessness, and other necessary steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 and respond to its effects.
This was the first meeting of the Legislature since adopting the public health measures on March 17 meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. Steps were taken on March 26 to protect legislators and staff by following Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, including staggering the number of members who could be on the floor for each vote. The Legislature has once again moved to an “on-call” posture and will continue working from home, but is prepared to meet again as further action is needed.
Stay-at-Home Minnesota
Governor Walz announced a Stay-at-Home Executive Order this week directing Minnesotans to limit activity outside of their homes to essential needs, extending from today, Friday, March 27, at 11:59 p.m. to Friday, April 10 at 5:00 p.m.
Modeling by the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota predicts that more than 70,000 Minnesotans could die from COVID-19 if no action is taken. Further limiting of social interactions in the next two weeks will slow the spread of COVID-19, buying more time to prepare for anticipated heavy demands on the health care sector as the virus sweeps through the state in the coming weeks and months. This will help prevent Minnesota’s health care system from becoming overwhelmed, and by doing so, save lives. Key preparations include building hospital capacity, increasing access to ventilators, more testing, planning for the care of vulnerable populations, and assessing public health data to plan for smart mitigation strategies.
What does this mean for Minnesotans?
Minnesotans may leave their homes for any of the following activities, provided they practice appropriate social distancing (stay 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you).
- Health and safety activities, such as obtaining emergency services or medical supplies
- Outdoor activities, such as walking pets, hiking, running, biking, hunting, or fishing
- Getting necessary supplies and services, such as groceries, gas, or carry-out food
- Essential and interstate travel, such as returning to a home from outside of Minnesota
- Care of others, such as caring for a family member, friend, or pet in another household
- Displacement, such as moving between emergency or homeless shelters for those without a home
- Relocation to ensure safety, such as moving to a different location if a home is unsafe due to domestic violence, sanitation, or essential operations reasons
- Tribal activities, such as activities by members within the boundaries of their tribal reservation
What is an essential business?
While jobs are shut down for a large segment of Minnesota’s workers, those employed in critical sectors are exempt from the stay-at-home order. These include essential workers in health care, law enforcement and first responders, childcare facilities, grocery stores, take-out restaurant service, farmers and other agricultural workers, news organizations, power, gas and water service, wastewater treatment and other sanitation or public works, critical manufacturing, transportation and logistics, construction and trades, financial services, and others.
The exemptions for essential workers are based on federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) (website HERE) at the Department of Homeland Security, with some Minnesota-specific additions. The Department of Employment and Economic Development estimates that 78% of the jobs in Minnesota are in critical industries as defined by the executive order, 28% of people in Minnesota will be “temporarily jobless” during the two-week leave, and 59% of people not working will have access to some form of paid leave.
The most effective resource for employers or employees trying to determine how they are impacted by Executive Order 20-20 is through Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/business-exemptions/. On this website, businesses may search their industry in various forms to determine whether they are essential, including:
What stays open?
The executive order allows many businesses to remain open, including grocery stores, gas stations, emergency medical services, pharmacies, hardware stores, banks, food shelves, convenience stores, liquor stores, restaurants providing take-out, and funeral homes.
Schools, Restaurants and Bars
Governor Walz’ order to close K-12 schools is extended to May 4, and the Commissioner of Education is authorized to implement a Distance Learning Period for Minnesota’s students from March 30 through May 4, 2020. The Governor’s order to close bars, restaurants and other public gathering places is extended to May 1, 2020.
What about enforcement?
Under the executive order, individuals who willfully violate the rules may be guilty of a misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $1,000 or up to 90 days in prison. Nevertheless, Governor Walz says the order requires voluntary social compliance, to a large part, and he is more focused on educating people to stay at home rather than using law enforcement to keep Minnesotans from gathering.
Town Hall 3/25 Follow-Up
Thanks to everyone who was able to join the Facebook live Town Hall Wednesday evening. Sadly, we experienced a technology failure and I was unable to be live with Representative Huot, but I was responding to your questions and comments on the feed throughout the evening. We plan to have more town halls to connect with constituents in the near future.
Schools
Schools are moving to distance learning beginning next week through April 4 as of now. We will keep you updated as we learn more about the potential of the school year being extended. Teachers are still working, teaching, grading, and connecting with students. ISD 196 is working with students who don’t have technology or access to the internet to ensure students have what they need to continue their learning. Our ISD 196 educators are doing a phenomenal job reaching out to students and preparing for distance learning.
KARE 11: Dakota Co. fifth-grade teachers leave notes for students on driveway
Stay-at-Home Minnesota
Many are asking the difference between our “stay-at-home” order and a quarantine. This is not a quarantine; you can still leave your house, go for a walk, run essential errands, all while keeping the 6 feet social distance. Staying inside is the safest place for you and others. If you need something, go get it, then come right back home. Support one another but keep a distance.
Role of the National Guard
The National Guard is an available resource to support and help Minnesota in our response to the COVID-19 outbreak. They are currently helping with moving needed personal protective equipment from Camp Ripley, and will continue to help move products, step in as ambulance drivers, fill in as healthcare workers, and more. The Governor is using the National Guard sparsely but is evaluating all options.
Restaurant, Bar, and Public Accommodations Closures
We are not sure, as the date just recently got pushed to May 1, but is subject to change. We wish we knew, but we do know these closures are working for now so we are going to keep at it. We know the closures directly affect families, and Rep. Huot explained how his family is currently affected by closures. However, our state’s health comes first and we need to do all we can to stop the spread. The Governor is hoping for May 1 but we will continue reevaluating.
Price Gouging
If you notice any price gouging or are aware of any scams taking advantage of old people, young people, or yourselves, please report the situation to the Attorney General’s office and the local police department.
Report price gouging HERE
Your Health
If you don’t feel well, stay home. If you have the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing), call your doctor and discuss a plan of action. If you are experiencing terrible respiratory distress and can’t breathe, call 911. Please don’t just go to your doctor’s office without calling first.
Telemedicine
Healthcare providers, including mental health practitioners, are tapping into telemedicine now more than ever. Contact your medical provider for available options. These are hard and stressful times, so let’s take care of each other, talk about mental health, and get rid of the stigma. There are helplines available, you can call your doctor, or you can consider seeking out a therapist.
Resources attendees shared during the discussion:
Open Door Food Shelf is providing food to our families and the school district.
Dakota County has a COVID-19 hotline: 952-891-7834
If you are having problems with your mortgage or rent, contact your loan servicing company. If you’re being evicted, reach out to your landlord. If you aren’t able to resolve the issue, contact Dakota County Housing at https://www.dakotacda.org/.
Dakota County Community Resources HERE |