Neighbors,
We received good news yesterday when we learned about the groundbreaking partnership between the state, the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic and Hennepin Healthcare to significantly increase COVID-19 testing with capacity of up to as many as 20,000 a day. Under the steady leadership of Governor Walz, our public heath professionals and our distinguished institutions have forged this alliance to keep moving Minnesota in the right direction and get through this pandemic. You can read more about this announcement here.
Stay at Home Order stays in effect until May 4, Distance Learning continues
Governor Walz has announced the continuation of the Stay at Home order until May 4, with ability for some Minnesotans to return to work. Students will continue distance learning through the end of the school year. You can learn more here about all the Governor’s Executive Orders.
Executive Order 20-40 will allow 80,000-100,000 Minnesotans to return to work in industrial, manufacturing, and office settings on Monday, April 27.
Prior to loosening restrictions for a given setting, businesses must:
- Create, share, and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that sets out the actions they are taking to ensure social distancing, worker hygiene, and facility cleaning and disinfection necessary to keep workers safe
- Engage in health screening of employees and ensure that sick employees stay home
- Continue to work from home whenever possible
Executive Order 20-41 continues distance learning through the end of the school year.
Climate Action Caucus celebrates 50th anniversary of Earth Day
This week, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We have come a long way in 50 years, but there is more work to do.
I am a member of the Climate Action Caucus in the Minnesota House and earlier this week, three of my colleagues spoke with former Vice President Walter Mondale about the first Earth Day. Vice President Mondale was serving as one of our U.S. Senators when Congress established Earth Day in 1970. A recording of the conversation is available here.
Information about the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus is available on the caucus’s website.
Committee Action this week
This week, I presented HF 3954 in Minnesota House Early Childhood Finance & Policy Division. The measure allocates Head Start funding.
Video of the hearings will be available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube Channel
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Also, make sure to check my Google page for a compilation of COVID-19 related information: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PJvhCdSArNrnAuyyavYoPFRDW4VWwS4M
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You can contact me at rep.erin.koegel@house.mn or (651) 296-5369.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve our district in the legislature.
Sincerely,
Erin Koegel
State Representative