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.
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 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