Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 28, 2020

August 28, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that the State of Minnesota applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. When implemented, LWA will provide a temporary additional $300 a week benefit to Minnesotans receiving unemployment benefits. To be eligible, an applicant must have a weekly unemployment benefit amount of at least $100 and must be unemployed due to COVID-19.

“When the additional federal $600 weekly benefit ended in late July, hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans who remain out of work were affected,” said Governor Walz. “Without additional federal benefits, families are struggling to pay for basic necessities. We must use every resource at our disposal to help Minnesotans through this pandemic.”

“The Lost Wages Assistance program provides much-needed emergency help, but it is not part of a comprehensive package to help workers and businesses struggling as the pandemic continues,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We hope that our federal partners will be able to come together to provide the well-planned and thorough relief Minnesotans and other Americans need.”

DEED anticipates the program will last between five to eight weeks. Applicants can visit https://www.uimn.org/lwa for more information. Minnesota leaders carefully reviewed information from FEMA and the U.S. Department of Labor to help ensure that the state would not face unforeseen costs related to the program. The federal deadline to apply for LWA is September 10.

Additionally, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan today issued Executive Order 20-88 creating the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on the Metropolitan Council’s Structure and Services to evaluate the governance structure of the Metropolitan Council. The Metropolitan Council has been serving the Twin Cities metropolitan region for more than 50 years and has evolved over time to proactively take on challenges that transcend city and county boundaries. The organization provides critical services in the metropolitan area, bringing communities together to develop a shared vision for the region.

Governor Walz has selected a regional and bipartisan team to review and assess the work of the Metropolitan Council. The committee includes civic, business, and academic leaders to provide for a broad range of input and expertise.

Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic. Wearing a mask 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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