Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 12, 2020

August 12, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Republicans in the Senate staged an attack on workers and employers in Minnesota by removing Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nancy Leppink. 

Commissioner Leppink is the leader the state needs, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. She is a champion for the health and safety of our state’s workers—especially our most vulnerable and essential workers, who are keeping our state moving forward during this pandemic. And in turn, Commissioner Leppink fully understands the challenges our state’s employers are facing during this pandemic, and she continuously helps employers comply with the requirements of the law and do right by their employees. This is a brazen attack by Minnesota Senate Republicans on the safety of working Minnesotans at a time when they it most.

“Nancy Leppink is a champion for working Minnesotans and business owners,” said Governor Walz. “She is a consensus builder who has a proven track record of finding solutions among workers, employers, and government. She is respected by the workers that she fights for and by the businesses who want to do right by their employees.”

“Her talent has never been more critical than during the COVID-19 pandemic. She protects the health of workers and guides business owners in their efforts to remain open and operate safely. In this time of crisis, I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans chose to play politics with the health and safety of Minnesotans,” Governor Walz continued.

“Nancy Leppink was fired by Senate Republicans today because she worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of workers during COVID—19,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “This is a slap in the face to our nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, meat processing plant workers, janitors, and all working Minnesotans in the midst of a global pandemic. We will continue to fight to protect workers. We will not be deterred or succumb to Republican threats to hold more commissioners hostage to their partisan gamesmanship.”

Also today, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced key appointments to their cabinet.

Two dedicated public servants, who have given our state years of their leadership and expertise, are moving onto new opportunities: Major General Jensen and Commissioner Myron Frans. These two leaders have brought Minnesota through some of the most trying periods of our state’s history—from budget deficits to the first full activation of the Minnesota National Guard since WWII to a global pandemic. As they are called to lead the state and country in other ways, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are excited to announce two experienced leaders to assume these critical positions.

Walz Appoints Jim Schowalter to Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB)

Every day for the past decade, Commissioner Frans has come to work to serve those Minnesotans, behind the scenes, working tirelessly to ensure the state of Minnesota is strong and fiscally stable. Our state is endlessly grateful for Myron’s dedication, leadership, and wit these past years.

As Commissioner Myron Frans departs for senior leadership position at the University of Minnesota, Governor Walz today announced he has appointed Jim Schowalter to take on this critical role. Schowalter previously served as MMB commissioner in Governor Mark Dayton’s administration, led the state out of a budget deficit, and helped build one of the most progressive budgets in our state’s history

The Commissioner of MMB serves as the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer, the state controller, the chief human resource officer, in charge of employee insurance for over 50,000 state employees, and in charge of collective bargaining on behalf of the state.

Walz Appoints Brigadier General Shawn Manke to serve as Minnesota’s next Adjutant General

Governor Tim Walz also announced his appointment of Brigadier General Shawn Manke to serve as Minnesota’s next Adjutant General, filling the vacancy created upon the resignation of Major General Jon A. Jensen, who was recently promoted to Director of the Army National Guard.

General Manke, a native of Cambridge, Minnesota, has served in a number of leadership roles in the Minnesota National Guard since 2003. Prior to his service in the Minnesota National Guard, General Manke had a career in the United States Army. 

The Governor is the Commander-in-Chief of the Minnesota National Guard, and the Adjutant General serves for a term of seven years and is appointed by the Governor. The Adjutant General is a member of the Governor’s cabinet and head of the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs, and is the top commander of the Minnesota Air and Army National Guard Forces.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread. 
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms – Find testing locations. 
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • 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.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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