Dear Neighbors,
The situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and is changing by the day. Here are some important developments that you may have missed. And remember, please stay home if you can.
Governor Walz signs executive orders to halt evictions
This afternoon Governor Walz signed executive order 20-14 which will halt all evictions during the COVID-19 state of emergency. Evictions are especially devastating at a time like this not only because so many of us are financially insecure, but an increase in unhoused people during a pandemic would worsen the public health crisis. The order specifies that those of use who are still able to pay rent must do so. This order will give thousands of Minnesotans the respite they need to get through this crisis. You can read more about the order here.
Ensuring critical services continue for state’s most vulnerable
Governor Walz signed two executive orders late last week that will streamline access to public health programs and ensure the most vulnerable Minnesotans still have access to critical services during the COVID-19 crisis.
Executive Order 20-11 authorizes the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to seek federal authority to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements for federal programs, including but not limited to the Minnesota Family Investment Program, Medical Assistance, and MinnesotaCare, to ensure these programs continue providing necessary support to Minnesota families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 over 1 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.
These orders largely address the issues that would have been covered by the “SF4200” bill which many home health care providers have been writing to us about. We still hope to get these provisions written into law in the near future if the Senate leadership will agree to do what is best for Minnesota.
Support for small businesses
Governor Tim Walz announced that small businesses in Minnesota are now eligible to apply for disaster assistance through the Small Business Administration (SBA) for economic injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. This announcement comes after Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to the Director of the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance requesting that Minnesota businesses be eligible for this assistance.
“Small businesses across Minnesota are putting the health of their neighbors before their bottom line,” Governor Walz said. “This assistance will help our state’s businesses recover from the economic hardship caused by COVID-19.”
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing during the pandemic. Small businesses may apply for a loan at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Stay tuned on this issue. It looks like Congress is working to make these loans “forgivable” (i.e., make them grants rather than loans) for small business who use the funds to keep their employees on their payrolls.
In a similar vein Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-15 to authorize the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to establish a Small Business Emergency Loan program for small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. DEED’s emergency loan program will help Minnesota small business owners who need immediate assistance during COVID-19 closures.
On Wednesday, March 18, the state also granted a 30-day Sales and Use Tax grace period for businesses identified in Executive Order 20-04. Identified businesses with a monthly Sales and Use Tax payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment. These customers should still file their return by March 20. For more information, visit revenue.state.mn.us
Census 2020
By now, you should have received your invitation to participate in the 2020 Census in the mail.
Ours looks like this:
Judy and I completed our census questionnaire online in less than 10 minutes on Saturday evening – there are only a few simple questions. The process is fast, secure and important. We need to count every Minnesotan to avoid losing a seat in Congress! So grab the invitation letter with your Census ID code on it and get it out of the way, now! You’re already sitting at your computer, right?
House Operations
While we’re all still working remotely, we’re starting to hold committee-level working group meetings via conference calls and webinars to identify “must pass” legislation with bi-partisan and bi-cameral support. We may come into session if we can reach consensus on enough must pass legislation. In the meantime, the Governor is using executive orders to address much of what absolutely must be done.
Keep in Touch
Now more than ever please contact me anytime with questions, input, or ideas. Don’t hesitate to reach out if I can provide any assistance. This situation is evolving constantly and I will be sure to update you with any changes. Please follow me on my facebook page for further updates and invite your friends and family to do so as well.
Thanks for the honor of representing you at the Capitol.
Sincerely,
Steve Elkins
Representative, District 49B
Minnesota House of Representatives
515 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-7803