Category: SD36

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 10, 2020


Dear Neighbors,

As the COVID-19 pandemic and our statewide peacetime emergency continues, I hope you are staying safe and healthy. With Passover underway and Easter this Sunday, I know it’s hard to stay at home and be separated from friends and family members. Please know that the social distancing is working. The sacrifices we’re making and hardships we’re dealing with are saving lives, keeping our health care system from being overwhelmed, and giving us more time to prepare.

Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times. We will get through this.

Minnesota Legislature approves COVID-19 workers’ compensation for frontline responders

first responders

On Tuesday, the Legislature passed legislation delivering workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. In particular, the legislation provides a presumption that if these workers contract COVID, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ compensation. Governor Walz signed the bill into law Tuesday night. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 10, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 9, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

This week, Governor Walz announced an extension of his Stay at Home executive order to continue until May 4. This extension will allow Minnesota to build new hospital capacity, buy ventilators and masks, plan for how to protect those most at risk, expand testing, and free up time for health care entities like the Mayo Clinic to develop critical treatments for the virus. You can read more about what this means for you, your family, and business here.

Update Stay Home

As our health care workers continue the daily battle against COVID-19, Allina Health is seeking additional donations of personal protective equipment (PPE). They are asking for: Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 9, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Last night, Governor Walz delivered his second State of the State Address remotely from his residence. His message inspired hope and encouragement for all of us during these difficult times- and acknowledged the challenges we’re facing as we adjust to a new, but temporary normal. You can watch his speech here.

Zoom Town Hall

Join Professor M. Kumi Smith and me for a virtual town hall on the COVID-19 pandemic on Tuesday night. Professor Smith is a professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota. This is a great chance to ask questions about the COVID-19 pandemic and the efforts to control it in Minnesota.

Here are the details: Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: April 6, 2020”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on State of the State

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s second State of the State address:

“Governor Walz and his Administration have shown incredible leadership and have served the people of Minnesota well during this crisis,” said Speaker Hortman. “The Minnesota House of Representatives will continue working with the Governor and doing everything we can to help Minnesotans during this difficult time and into the future. Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times. Despite the challenges and uncertainty before us, we remain confident in our ability to come together and pull through.”

“During this pandemic, we appreciate Governor Walz and his team’s strong work to protect the health and well-being of Minnesotans,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Despite the challenges we’re facing, we know Minnesotans will meet the moment. The Minnesota House of Representatives is continuing to work hard on behalf of our constituents, and we know there are more issues we will need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. We are already looking ahead and exploring options to address the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and build a brighter future for all Minnesotans.”

 

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 3, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

We’re about a week into Governor Walz’s Stay at Home order — I hope you are staying healthy and safe. Minnesotans have done an excellent job social distancing, but we need to keep fighting to slow the spread of COVID-19, prevent our health care system from being overwhelmed, and save lives.

COVID-19 Public Dashboard

Today, Governor Walz unveiled a new State of Minnesota COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the spread of the virus in the state and provides current data on available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment, and testing. The dashboard will be updated daily and is available here.

During his video address, the Governor also highlighted the state’s priorities during the Stay at Home order, including efforts to collect data about COVID-19; increasing the number of ICU beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment needed to care for a surge in patients; and developing strategies to address the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 in Minnesota — both now and after we come out of this crisis. You can watch the Governor’s comments here. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: April 3, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: April 3, 2020

The following list is compiled from resources at DEED, MDE, DHS, MDH, DHS, MHFA, the Courts, and the Attorney General’s office.

COVID-19 MN Hotlines

  • Health questions (7 am to 7 pm): 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
  • School and child care questions (7 am to 7 pm): 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
  • DHS hotline for child care providers with COVID-19-related questions: 888-234-1268

State Resources

  • Child Care
    • Parents/Guardians needing child care resources can call Child Care Aware of MN at 1-888- 291-9811 or go to parentaware.org to search on-line for child care options
    • Communication from state to child care providers on COVID-19
  • Courts
    • Information on temporary court operation procedures can be found here
  • Discrimination and the MN Dept. of Human Rights
    • Information on mistreatment and discrimination due to COVID-19. To submit a complaint click here or call 651-539-1133.

Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: April 3, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 31, 2020

March 28, 2020

BULLETIN: Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

In light of the Public Health Emergency concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing this bulletin to ensure that entities covered by civil rights authorities keep in mind their obligations under laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, and exercise of conscience and religion in HHS-funded programs.1

In this time of emergency, the laudable goal of providing care quickly and efficiently must be guided by the fundamental principles of fairness, equality, and compassion that animate our civil rights laws. This is particularly true with respect to the treatment of persons with disabilities during medical emergencies as they possess the same dignity and worth as everyone else.

The Office for Civil Rights enforces Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in HHS funded health programs or activities. These laws, like other civil rights statutes OCR enforces, remain in effect. As such, persons with disabilities should not be denied medical care on the basis of stereotypes, assessments of quality of life, or judgments about a person’s relative “worth” based on the presence or absence of disabilities. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 31, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 31, 2020

Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 31, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. Governor Walz’s Stay At Home order begins late tonight, and I urge you to stay home if at all possible.

Here’s an update on our state’s COVID-19 response efforts.

Minnesota Legislature passes COVID-19 assistance package

House action Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 27, 2020”