An update and welcome from Senator Hoffman
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.
State health officials are readying for a new phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in Minnesota, where five people have tested positive for the illness. The case serves as a reminder of the core preventative measures being recommended by the Minnesota Department of Health right now: stay home if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face. Make sure to keep up your Vitamins A and C, as well as Zinc to keep your immune system strong. With these preventative measures practiced individually and a fully funded public health response contingency account at the state level, Minnesota is prepared to handle the coronavirus effectively and efficiently. (SF 3813)
U of M, MinnState discuss COVID-19 protocols with Higher Education Committee
Higher education institutions in Minnesota have taken proactive steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19 disease to safeguard students and staff on campuses across the state. Since the briefing to the Higher Education Committee on March 10, the University of Minnesota has cancelled all in-person classes until April 1.
University of Minnesota President Joan Grabel testified to the Higher Education Committee, announcing that all non-essential travel by faculty and staff would be discontinued beginning on Monday, March 16. All U of M Level 3 study abroad programs (China, South Korea, Italy and Iran) have already been suspended. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on any of the U’s 5 campuses.
For on-campus response, the U has established the Health Operations Team, led by the Health Emergency Response Office (HERO). According to the U’s website the Health Operations Team has several priorities, including:
- Ensuring safety of University students, faculty and staff traveling abroad
- Ensuring University healthcare professionals and clinics implement CDC guidelines surrounding COVID-19
- Partnering with MDH on public health surveillance and traveler monitoring activities
- Providing timely information updates to University communities
- Addressing questions and concerns from members of the University community
Minnesota State officials testified that the system cancelled all international travel and study abroad programs on February 28. MinnState has not yet cancelled any classes but said they could do online learning courses for a short period of time. MinnState officials noted they want to ensure students who need clinical experience can get it to ensure they get their licenses upon graduation.
Rebecca Bergman, President of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, said they have not yet suspended study abroad programs. All students who were in Level 3 countries (China, South Korea, Italy or Iran) have returned to the United States, and they have contingency plans for seniors. She noted that in 1998 when the campus was hit by a tornado, they closed for three weeks and seniors were still able to graduate on time.
Governor Walz releases supplemental budget recommendations
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz released his supplemental budget recommendations this week, urging budgetary caution amid the COVID-19 outbreak. His recommendations were focused on fiscal restraint and prioritizing emergency and pressing needs.
Specifically, the governor recommends paying back the $491 million we borrowed last session from our budget reserves and leaving $1.2 billion on the bottom line. He also recommends funding investments to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies, including Minnesota’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other areas he recommends focusing supplemental budget dollars on:
- Investing in Minnesota’s mental health crisis
- Keeping our communities, neighborhoods, police officers, and correctional facilities safe
- Addressing the backlog in the sexual assault examination kits in Minnesota
- Funding to improve transit and farm safety
- Ensuring Minnesota is REAL ID ready by October 1, 2020
- Combating youth vaping epidemic
- Providing emergency shelters for the homeless and veterans
- Addressing the child care shortage
Insulin affordability passes Senate, work remains
The cost of insulin has tripled in the last 10 years, and three insulin manufacturers control over 90% of the insulin market in the United States. In the last 12 months, those three companies have reported $84.1 billion in revenue and $18.5 billion in profits.
We passed legislation this week that creates an emergency insulin program and requires manufacturers to make or maintain patient assistance programs for ongoing support. This is heading to conference committee where it will be finalized and there are still a few ways it can be improved. Hopefully these improvements are made and then we can ensure all Minnesotans who need it have access to life saving insulin.
Helping farmers with low-interest loans
A $50 million Rural Finance Authority (RFA) Bonding bill passed this week to give farmers the financial support they need in the form of low-interest loans. The popular and successful low-interest loan program has benefited Minnesota farmers for more than 30 years. The program ran out of money in late February, and legislators responded by passing this bipartisan legislation. The funding for this program is especially important during this time of extreme weather conditions, farm mental health crisis, historically low commodity prices, and uncertainty with global trading partners. The funding will guarantee more loan availability to farmers, and it will allow the RFA to purchase portions of private loans from lenders to farmers and charge a lower interest rate, resulting in a blended interest rate for farmers that is lower than what is usually available in the private market. The bill has widespread support among legislators and stakeholders and is viewed as a smart investment in Minnesota’s agriculture industry and the farmers who sustain that industry with their hard work. (HF 2959)
Thank you!
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit normally. However, due to the health issues regarding the coronavirus I’d like to inform you of a few changes made at the legislature for the moment.
Currently it is appointment only to come see legislators in their offices. This means I must know in advance that you are coming so that my staff can card you into our office area. I can also only host two guests at a time in my office. While normally I am overjoyed to have as many constituents visit as they like, these are policies being implemented by the legislature, decided by the governor and leadership. When things have returned to normal, I will be sure to let you all know.
So stay safe, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn
Thank you to everyone who came out to visit me this week! It was a joy hosting everyone.
Ahmay, a strong advocate for her people the Karen, who fled to the US to escape Oppression from the Burmese Government.. She gathered the stories of her people to publish a book, and delivered a signed copy for me! Thank you again Ahmay, truly.
Advocates from Faith in Minnesota stopped by to talk about a bill that would have had negative implications for child care specifically, those in poverty.Thank you for seeking me out as a result, and my bi partisan work with the chair, this bill will not be included.
The ACLU came to share their legislative priorities and what matters most to them!
Longtime friends and advocates came by to share what matters, and they brought their adorable little one who had the biggest smile!
The Salvation Army with Captain Jennifer Polanco of Brooklyn Park explaining some key issues that affect their work and those that they serve.
Allison Grodnick, a student at St. Kate’s, sharing her research with me that she brought all the way to the capitol. Thanks again, Allison!
Accord and some of those they serve visiting about the importance of funding for their services, those provided and received. A special shout out to Conor O’meara. Here’s a link to his podcast!
Another group of providers and those they serve speaking on the challenges of under-funding for specialized services.
Information and Resources
State Government
Governor
651.201.3400 | http://mn.gov/governor
Attorney General
651.296.3353 | www.ag.state.mn.us
Representative Melissa Hortman (36B)
651.296.4280
Representative Zack Stephenson (36A)
651.296.5513
Driver’s Licenses
651.297.3298 | drivers-license-information.aspx
MN Energy Assistance Program
800.657.3710
https://mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp
Election Information
651.215.1440 | https://www.sos.state.mn.us/
Emerald Ash Borer Prevention
and Detection
(MN Dept. of Agriculture)
pestmanagement/eab/eabbiocontrol
651.201.6684
Local Government
City of Champlin 763.421.8100
City of Brooklyn Park 763.424.8000
City of Coon Rapids 763.755.2880
Anoka County 763.421.4760
Federal Government
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
612.727.5220 | https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/
U.S. Senator Tina Smith
202.224-5641 | https://www.smith.senate.gov/HomePage
U.S. Congressman Dean Phillips (3rd CD)
202.225.2871 | https://phillips.house.gov/