Governor Walz Announces Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget
On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget – his budget proposal for the next biennium. As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Walz’s budget supports working families, ensures students catch up on learning, and helps small businesses stay afloat while driving economic recovery.
Governor Walz Takes Action to Jump-Start Vaccine Rollout
On Monday, Governor Walz accelerated plans to make COVID-19 vaccines more broadly available across Minnesota. The actions included a new 72-hour goal for vaccine providers to administer 90 percent of their vaccine doses within three days of receiving them, and all doses within one week.
While the state continues to face a crippling vaccine supply shortage, the new goals come after data released by the state that showed some vaccinators, including the national chain pharmacies engaged by the Trump Administration, lagging behind other providers in getting vaccine doses into Minnesotans’ arms.
Governor Walz Unveils ‘Due North’ Education Plan
On Monday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced the Due North Education Plan, a sweeping agenda for the future of education in Minnesota. Developed from a robust engagement effort with educators, school leaders, students, and families across the state, the Due North Education Plan is centered on ensuring every child in Minnesota receives a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code.
“As a former classroom teacher for over 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand how a high-quality education shapes students’ lives for years to come,” said Governor Walz. “The Due North Education Plan guides us toward a future where every child receives a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code.”
Governor Walz Visits Community Vaccine Clinic, Highlights Efforts to Vaccinate Minnesotans 65+
Minnesota’s community vaccination sites are quickly getting vaccines into Minnesotans’ arms, and their staff are doing incredible work to make sure no doses go to waste. Governor Walz visited the Brooklyn Center location on Thursday to thank their staff and see firsthand how we can continue to improve. Sites like this, along with local clinics, pharmacies, and others, will be important options for Minnesotans as the state gets more vaccines.
Roy Wilkins Auditorium Hosts Clinic for COVID-19 Vaccination Event for 15,000 Educators, School Staff, and Child Care Providers in Metro
This week, Governor Walz announced a mass vaccination pilot event for metro area educators, school staff and child care providersat Roy Wilkins Auditorium. The state is allocating 15,000 Moderna vaccine doses to be administered Thursday, January 28 through Monday, February 1 for this event.
Last week, more than 13,300 Minnesotans were vaccinated at nine community clinics around the state. While the state continues to face a crippling vaccine supply shortage, Governor Walz has directed the state’s efforts toward preparing for the day supply meets demand.
Minnesota Reaches Milestone of 1 Million COVID-19 Tests Through Community Sites
On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced it has passed 1 million tests administered through the state’s community testing sites. There are currently more than 20 testing sites located around the state, all of which offer no-barrier access to testing.
In all, Minnesota has conducted more than 6.4 million tests since the start of the pandemic. While many of those tests are done through private health care systems, long-term care facilities, and other settings, the community testing sites offer testing to any person who believes they need a COVID-19 test, with or without insurance. This week’s milestone marks 1 million tests through those community testing sites.
Governor Walz Urges Minnesotans to Download Minnesota’s COVID-19 Exposure Notification App
Now more than ever, we need your help to share the news about COVIDaware MN. As Minnesota opens up, make sure your friends & families understand their COVID-19 exposure risk. COVIDaware MN notifies you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and you can anonymously alert others if you test positive.
Get the COVIDaware MN app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Gov. Tim Walz says better vaccine supply gives Minnesota ‘golden opportunity’ in COVID-19 fight (Star Tribune)
- Walz proposes income tax hike on richest 1%, cuts for lower income (Pioneer Press)
- Over $20.6 million awarded in broadband grants to Greater Minnesota communities (KAAL)
- Walz says great strides made in vaccinating long-term care residents, workers (KSTP)
- Walz unveils ‘Due North’ plan to address COVID-19 impact on racial, geographic disparities in education (KSMP)
- Gov. Tim Walz’s budget aims to address COVID’s uneven impact (Star Tribune)