Category: SD36

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 27, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are now entering a “Shelter-At-Home” order by Governor Walz to slow the spread of COVID-19 and give us a chance to be ready with all of the medical equipment and beds at hospitals we will need. This is a major move to make and I know it can be intimidating for so many people affected.

Working with Senator Abeler and the Governor, my goal is to lessen the impact this has caused. We want to change the narrative from work that is “necessary” to what businesses can operate “safely” to ensure people can take care of themselves and their families.

We are also working to ensure that emergency funds go to the services the serve our vulnerable populations, our people with disabilities, elderly and children. While we have approved emergency funding ensuring that it reaches those critical services is among our top priorities, and that all required services for our vulnerable stay open and available. This is going to take all of us, Democrats, Republicans setting aside politics and working together as indicated in the ECM News https://www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspapers/free/column-bipartisan-cooperation-in-crisis/article_b2bd3f14-6fa9-11ea-af85-8f010e44e75f.html  Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 27, 2020”

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

COVID-19 Local Response

We’ve all read about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting our country and the world, but many people have asked me about what is happening in Champlin and Coon Rapids. Early this week, I had a great conversation with Mercy Hospital President Sara Criger about how Mercy is preparing and what people in the community can do to help. You can watch here. We’re so lucky to have such a great hospital right in our backyard. Thanks to everyone who works at Mercy for keeping our community healthy and safe.

COVID-19 Relief Bill Passes Legislature, Includes Two of My Bills

Yesterday, my colleagues and I returned to the State Capitol – practicing Minnesota Department of Health physical distancing guidelines – to pass a bipartisan package of bills addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill created a new $200 million COVID-19 Fund in the state treasury to enable state agencies to respond to COVID-19-related challenges. It also included $9 million to the Department of Human Services for food security, $26.5 million for the Emergency Service Grants program to provide shelter for Minnesota’s homeless population, $30 million in one-time grants to child care providers, financial relief for displaced workers, and the necessary flexibility for state agencies to respond to the pandemic. You can access the entire bill here and read a recap from nonpartisan House Public Information Services here.

I was the House chief author of two of these bills as part of a COVID-19 response package. Both of my bills were designed to help small businesses survive the crisis. The first is a small business loan guarantee program. The program is specifically designed to give small businesses access to the working capital they need to keep their employees on the payroll during the pandemic.

The second gives Minnesota cities new flexibility to use their existing economic development funds (under the Minnesota Investment Fund program) to help the businesses hardest hit by the crisis. Current law prevents cities from using these funds to help retail, service, and hospitality businesses like bars and restaurants. My bill gets rid of that prohibition for the next year.

As we navigate through these unprecedented times, we must do all we can to protect and preserve our mom and pop shops and their financial wellbeing. I’m glad to see this bipartisan measure advance so we can start getting them the relief they need quickly.

j

Governor’s Stay at Home Executive Order

Most people have heard by now that Gov. Walz issued a stay at home order effective from Friday, March 27 at 11:59pm to April 10 at 5:00pm. I highly encourage anyone who missed the Governor’s announcement to watch it here: https://bit.ly/2WGF4Dj As you can see, the Governor’s order is part of a larger strategy get Minnesota through the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation also includes facts and data showing how the Governor’s strategy will work, and what would happen if we did nothing.

Stay At Home Can/Should Not

Stay at Home ListIf you have additional questions about how the Governor’s order will work, you can learn more here: https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/.

Stay in Touch

Please continue to contact me anytime with questions or input on my cell phone at 763-370-9000 or by email at rep.zack.stephenson@house.mn. I post additional updates on my official Facebook page.

I am honored to represent our Champlin and Coon Rapids neighbors at the Capitol (currently remotely from Coon Rapids).

Sincerely,

Zack Stephenson

State Representative

Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 24, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you well and staying home, if you can.

f

Here’s an update on some additional action the state’s taken to address the COVID-19 pandemic:

Executive Action

Protective Gear for Health Care Workers

Governor Walz announced a new executive order, which authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to deliver assistance during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by addressing the critically low supply of personal protective equipment in Minnesota’s hospitals and health care facilities, as well as the delivery delays from the federal government’s Strategic National Stockpile. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson (HD36A) Update: March 24, 2020”

Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy — and practicing social distancing. We are in some very challenging times, but I remain confident in Minnesotans’ ability to help each other make it through.

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

Updated actions and guidance from Governor Walz and the Minnesota Department of Health

Schools closed to students

Last Sunday morning, Governor Walz announced that schools will be closed to students from March 18-Friday, March 27 in order for school administrators and teachers to make long-term plans for the continuity of education and essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Rep. Melissa Hortman (HD36B) Update: March 22, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 21, 2020

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week kicked off rapidly changing the face of our country and state. At the Federal level and here in Minnesota everyone has had to react to a threat that is affecting our country in unprecedented ways. We have all had to consider what life may look like for the foreseeable future.

In this Enewsletter is a compilation of all the various work and executive orders that has been done this week. The situation for our State changes rapidly, so I will do my best to keep everyone apprised if and when changes occurs. Despite this virus we are working in all safe ways possible to hold meetings, examine data and make decisions to guide the state through this difficult time. Please feel free to share this to anyone who has questions about what actions have been taken and to get a comprehensive view of how this all affects them and what resources are available. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 21, 2020”

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on first Minnesota death from COVID-19

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the first death in Minnesota from COVID-19:

“Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the Minnesotan who passed away,” said Speaker Hortman. “We have to do all we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable among us during this crisis. I strongly encourage all Minnesotans to follow the guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and to stay home if at all possible.”

“We are facing a challenge unprecedented in recent history, but we are confident in Minnesotans’ ability to do what we need to do and help each other make it through,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We are going to continue doing everything we can to help Minnesotans navigate this crisis. I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of this Minnesotan.”

 

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 20, 2020

Sen. John Hoffman supports Gov. Walz Executive Order to protect Minnesota’s most vulnerable

St. Paul, Minn.—State Senator John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin) applauds Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-12 to make sure vulnerable populations are protected during this unprecedented time with the spread of COVID-19. The order mirrors legislation Sen. Hoffman co-authored with Sen. Jim Abler. That legislation passed out of Health and Human Services and was sent to Finance last week, but it was not part of the final $200 million legislation that passed off the House and Senate floor early Tuesday morning.

Since then, Sen. Hoffman has been advocating that this important legislation be implemented through the Governor’s Executive Order authority. That order was signed today. Specifically, Executive Order 20-12 allows DHS to temporarily issue waivers or modifications to state requirements to ensure that their services can be delivered to Minnesotans safely and without undue delay, protecting vulnerable Minnesotans and those who care for them. DHS provides health care coverage, programs, and services for more than one million Minnesotans, including groups likely to be significantly impacted by COVID-19 such as older adults, individuals who have disabilities, families with children, and individuals with mental illness.

“Ensuring the health and safety of Minnesotans is my highest priority as the state copes with a growing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, and that includes making sure our most vulnerable—the elderly, those with disabilities, and children—are protected,” Sen. Hoffman said. “I am pleased with our work to make sure Minnesota has a strong support and safety net in place and the necessary regulatory flexibility and relief to make sure that Minnesotans with physical and developmental disabilities are not cut off from vital services.” Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 20, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March

An Important Update

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

During this trying time with COVID-19 being an immediate health concern, I wanted to let you know that I am still here. While not holding regular meetings at my office due to the virus, my staff and I are still reachable by phone and email to answer any questions that you may have. I also wanted to update you on happenings at the Capitol.

At the Legislature we have passed emergency legislation to help navigate us through this challenge before us all.

Specifically, the legislation provides $200 million in investments of which $150 million is appropriated to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to make grants to eligible providers for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to an outbreak of COVID-19; fund the establishment and operation of temporary sites to provide testing services, to provide treatment beds, or to isolate or quarantine affected individuals, to respond to an outbreak of COVID-19; and administer the grant program. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March”

Rep. Zack Stephenson Update: March 18, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Early this week, the Minnesota Legislature unanimously passed a sweeping bill designed to prepare our hospitals for the COVID 19 epidemic. We worked all day long and deep into the night, with the final vote coming at 3:30 am. The situation was made all the more sober by the fact that we had to alter our voting procedure to follow the MDH social distancing guidelines. As you can see on my Facebook post, we can’t all fit on the House floor and stay six feet away from each other, so about half of us had to monitor the debate from the gallery or the hallway, only briefly entering the chamber itself when it was our turn to vote.

BLOOD DRIVE

The COVID-19 epidemic has caused a critical shortage in Minnesota’s blood and platelet supply. I know our community is eager to come together as we confront the COVID-19 crisis and so I am sponsoring a blood drive at the Coon Rapids location of Memorial Blood Centers. Continue reading “Rep. Zack Stephenson Update: March 18, 2020”

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 14, 2020

An update and welcome from Senator Hoffman

Video

Governor signs coronavirus response bill

This week, Governor Walz signed into law a bill appropriating nearly $21 million in funds to be added to Minnesota’s public health response contingency account. The funds will help support disease investigation, provide information to the public, coordinate statewide response activities, and conduct laboratory analysis. The legislation was passed urgently and with unanimous bipartisan support.

In addition to signing the funding bill into law this week, the governor has also activated the joint emergency operations center to work on the issue as it develops. Executive branch agencies are also prepared to move forward with further contingency plans, including hiring additional health care professionals and determining what that process would look like. The message surrounding coronavirus this week continues to be planning, not panicking. The state has expected cases of the illness to increase and that is why this legislation passed swiftly and with bipartisan support. Minnesota is committed to being as prepared as possible for dealing with this disease in a proactive and responsible manner. Continue reading “Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: March 14, 2020”