Tag: Gov. Walz

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 26, 2020

August 26, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz proclaimed today, August 26, 2020, as Women’s Equality Day in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment. August 26 represents the culmination of a 72-year campaign to extend the right to vote to women in the United States and serves as an ongoing symbol of the fight for equal rights. You can find the full proclamation here.

Additionally, Governor Walz today signed Executive Orders 20-85 and 20-86, which formalize Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidance regarding the total classroom occupancy allowed in higher education settings and allow cooperatives to waive in-person meeting requirements. You can find the Executive Orders here.

Minnesota’s COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program officially launched August 25, 2020. This CARES Act funded program allocates $100 million to cover housing expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, or other housing-related expenditures. This program will help keep folks in their homes and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners in communities across the state.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 25, 2020

August 25, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced that Minnesota has partnered with the nation’s leading distributor of saliva testing to create plans for a new lab in Minnesota, expanding and diversifying testing capacity for Minnesotans, creating jobs, and slowing the spread of COVID-19.

State officials are working to finalize the $14.66 million contract with Vault Health and RUCDR Infinite Biologics. Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics holds the country’s first FDA Emergency Use AuthorizationPCR saliva test for COVID-19 while Vault Health provides logistics and telehealth services necessary to carry out the test. The planned lab will have the ability to more than double the state’s current test processing capacity. The contractors expect to have the lab up and running by early October. The funding is provided by the state’s federal CARES Act funding.

This new saliva lab will be capable of processing as many as 30,000 samples a day, if running 3 shifts. At full capacity, it would also create up to 250 jobs at its planned location in Oakdale, Minnesota. Currently, Minnesota’s testing capacity hovers between 20,000 and 22,000 tests per day. The rolling average of PCR COVID-19 tests processed daily in Minnesota labs is just under 14,000 a day.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 24, 2020

August 24, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Minnesota’s $100 million COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program officially launched today, which will help prevent eviction and homelessness and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners. The program is funded by the federal CARES Act and is designed to cover expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, or other housing-related costs. 

Local administrators will review applications from individuals and families requesting assistance, verify eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households. Minnesotans interested in applying and learning more about the program can begin the application process by calling Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline (Toll Free: 1.800.543.7709; Local: 651.291.0211), visiting 211unitedway.org, or texting “MNRENT” or “MNHOME” to 898-211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 21, 2020

August 21, 2020

Updates from the Governor

As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are facing unprecedented challenges due to the economic and public health consequences. Below is a list of financial, mental and physical health, and family resources available for support. 

Testing: Minnesotans with COVID-19 symptoms are always encouraged to get a test. Find a testing location in your community. 

Safety at Home: Stay At Home should never mean you stay somewhere unsafe. There are places of sanctuary open for anyone facing abuse or violence. Please call Minnesota’s statewide crisis hotline – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at 1.866.223.1111 or text 612.399.9995. 

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 20, 2020

August 20, 2020

Updates from the Governor

As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are facing unprecedented challenges due to the economic and public health consequences. Below is a list of financial, mental and physical health, and family resources available for support. 

Testing: Minnesotans with COVID-19 symptoms are always encouraged to get a test. Find a testing location in your community. 

Safety at Home: Stay At Home should never mean you stay somewhere unsafe. There are places of sanctuary open for anyone facing abuse or violence. Please call Minnesota’s statewide crisis hotline – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – at 1.866.223.1111 or text 612.399.9995. 

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced an application process to select a Commissioner to lead the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The Department of Labor and Industry ensures Minnesota’s work and living environments are equitable, healthy, and safe. The agency oversees the state’s programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, dual-training pipeline, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, workers’ compensation, and youth skills training.

“The next Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry will build on the strong foundation of Commissioner Nancy Leppink’s work by playing a critical role in keeping workers safe as we navigate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “I am grateful for the dedicated public servants who will step forward and apply to lead during these uncharted times.”

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan update: August 18, 2020

August 18, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz recently announced the appointment of Angie Dickison to serve as Executive Director of Broadband Development. She has been filing this position in an interim capacity since July 2019.

“Internet access is both an economic and quality of life issue,” said Governor Walz. “Angie is passionate about ensuring that all Minnesotans have high-speed internet access for work, learning, business, and health care, and she understands the importance of working together to achieve Minnesota’s goal of border-to-border high-speed internet access.”

“Broadband internet access is critical to helping our communities thrive, from businesses getting products to customers, to students logging on to do their homework. And during this time of crisis, ensuring that every Minnesotan has high-speed internet access is more important than ever,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “I am grateful that Angie is leading this work on behalf of all Minnesotans.”

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Walz, Ellison, faith leaders call for unity in wake of attack on imam

Two teenagers, ages 16 and 13, are charged in assault near Bloomington mosque. 

Minnesota political and faith leaders gathered Friday afternoon at a Bloomington mosque to call for religious tolerance and unity in response to the attack on an imam as he walked to his nightly prayers.

“That caused huge waves of fear. The following day, half of the congregation did not show up,” said Mohamed Omar, executive director of Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center.

Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Peggy Flanagan and Attorney General Keith Ellison were among those participating in a show of solidarity with the imam who was attacked, Mohamed Mukhtar. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 13, 2020

August 13, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota has been recognized by the National Governors Association and Results for America for its use of evidence and data to improve results for Minnesotans. 

Results for America, a national nonprofit focused on helping government leaders improve results by investing in what works, released the 2020 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence, which showcases 169 examples of data-driven and evidence-based practices, policies, programs, and systems in 35 states across the country. Minnesota was recognized as a Leading State.

“As we face a global pandemic, it has never been more important to ground our public policies in evidence and invest in proven public programs,” said Governor Walz. “We are pleased to see our commitment to data-driven policies reflected in our recognition as a leading state in Results for America’s 2020 State Standard of Excellence.” 

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 12, 2020

August 12, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Republicans in the Senate staged an attack on workers and employers in Minnesota by removing Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Nancy Leppink. 

Commissioner Leppink is the leader the state needs, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. She is a champion for the health and safety of our state’s workers—especially our most vulnerable and essential workers, who are keeping our state moving forward during this pandemic. And in turn, Commissioner Leppink fully understands the challenges our state’s employers are facing during this pandemic, and she continuously helps employers comply with the requirements of the law and do right by their employees. This is a brazen attack by Minnesota Senate Republicans on the safety of working Minnesotans at a time when they it most.

“Nancy Leppink is a champion for working Minnesotans and business owners,” said Governor Walz. “She is a consensus builder who has a proven track record of finding solutions among workers, employers, and government. She is respected by the workers that she fights for and by the businesses who want to do right by their employees.”

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