Dear Neighbors,
Together, we continue to take action to slow the spread of COVID-19. The vast majority of us are continuing to stay at home in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, and the numbers tell us what we’re doing is working.
There are still those that are going into work, sometimes in exposed and vulnerable conditions. Minnesota’s frontline responders, the health care and public safety workers that continue to protect our communities, were the focus of the most recent bill signed into law this week.
An agreement was reached by the leaders of both parties in the Minnesota House and Senate, and Governor Walz, on delivering workers’ compensation benefits to our health care and public safety workers in the event that they contract COVID-19. These are the Minnesotans that have our backs every day, and now we can have theirs by ensuring they can focus on getting healthy instead of worrying about their next paycheck.
There remain Minnesotans that continue to play an essential role in keeping our state running, but are still insufficiently supported. We’ll continue our efforts in the Minnesota House to respond to COVID-19 in a way that puts Minnesotans first, especially those putting their health on the line for the rest of us.
Extending the Stay At Home Order
This week, Governor Walz made the decision to extend the “Stay at Home” order to May 4. I know this is far from ideal, but this remains a necessary measure to provide our health care professionals the time they need to prepare for the peak of COVID-19 cases in our state. Without slowing the spread of COVID-19, we run the risk of overwhelming our hospitals and causing a situation where resources are no longer available for what can otherwise be a treatable disease. Simply put, we’re continuing to save lives by staying home.
This is a measure made in line with recommendations from our state’s outstanding public health officials, and is similar to effective actions we’ve seen take place all over the world. Minnesotans are still able to leave their homes for the essentials, including fresh air and exercise with a walk around the neighborhood, just remember to stay six feet away from others when leaving your home.
Through all this, I’ve been extremely grateful for the leadership of Governor Walz and his administration. The decisions and daily updates made by his team have made Minnesota a leader in this crisis. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend watching his State of the State address from this Sunday, which you can watch here. There is also a helpful compilation of COVID-19 data and resources for Minnesotans that you can view here.
An Agreement on Affordable Insulin
We finally have an agreement to pass the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act. I’m happy to announce the bipartisan, bicameral working group on Alec’s bill has unanimously approved the bill and it will head to the floor for a final vote next week.
I am eternally grateful for Nicole Smith-Holt, James Holt Jr, and the fierce insulin advocates that have put Minnesota on the verge of something truly remarkable – a commitment to Minnesotans, in Alec’s memory, that no one should ever lose their life because they cannot afford the insulin they need to survive. As it currently stands, the Minnesota Legislature is poised to meet and pass Alec’s bill next Tuesday, April 14.
I want to hold this achievement up as an example that even during unprecedented challenges, Minnesotans continue to band together on behalf of their neighbors to build a better state. In a time of uncertainty, the determination of Minnesotans is one thing we can all depend on.
You can read more about Alec’s Bill here.
In partnership,
Michael Howard