August 11, 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.
August 10, 2020
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today released new visitation guidance to support long-term care facilities’ efforts to balance the need to protect residents with ensuring healthy social and emotional connections with family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective on August 29, this guidance creates a cautious and measured process long-term care facilities can use to determine the most appropriate visitation policy to protect their residents and staff. The guidance is available at Long-term Care: COVID-19. MDH and partners developed the guidance with the recognition that COVID-19 will remain a challenge for many more months.
In early May, Governor Walz also announced a five-point plan, which has helped protect Minnesota’s long-term care residents and workers amid COVID-19. The plan included expanded testing, screening, and monitoring in long-term care facilities; increased personal protective equipment; increased staffing support; and partnering with local public health officials to coordinate support and on-site technical assistance. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 10, 2020”
After special sessions in June and July, an August one is on the calendar.
Gov. Tim Walz has issued a proclamation calling the Legislature back to St. Paul at noon Aug. 12, and he will extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days to help the state continue to respond to the pandemic.
This third special session of the summer is expected to be brief, legislative leaders say.
“In August, we will be selling bonds that were previously authorized,” House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said at news conference earlier this week. “That means there will be a financial quiet period, which means the August special session will probably be a very quick in and out.” Continue reading.
August 7, 2020
Governor Tim Walz today announced that he will convene a special legislative session beginning on August 12, 2020. Governor Walz intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days to ensure the state can continue to quickly and effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also today, Governor Tim Walz appealed the decision by the federal government to deny a federal disaster declaration to help Minnesota rebuild after civil unrest damaged public infrastructure and caused extensive fire damage in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Under the Stafford Act, fires to public infrastructure, regardless of cause, are eligible for reimbursement. Minneapolis sustained extensive fire damage to public infrastructure caused by civil unrest at the end of May. A preliminary damage assessment found more than $15 million of eligible damages directly related to the fires. Federal assistance would reimburse local governments for 75 percent of eligible costs related to debris removal, emergency protective measures, and damage to public buildings and equipment. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 7, 2020”
August 6, 2020
With the expiration of the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefit, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan today visited the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties (CAP-RW) to highlight state benefits and assistance programs that remain available to Minnesotans.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: If Washington won’t lead, Minnesota will,” said Governor Tim Walz. “While Congress continues to hammer out a deal to extend assistance to those financially impacted by COVID-19, the State of Minnesota is offering a range of emergency assistance that have already helped thousands of Minnesotans.”
“We have said from the beginning that COVID-19 will fall hardest on Minnesotans who are already in crisis,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Every Minnesotan deserves a roof over their head, food on the table, and the resources they need to thrive. But we know there are thousands of Minnesotans who have never interacted with unemployment insurance or the myriad of services offered by the state to help make ends meet. During this incredibly challenging time, it’s our job to highlight the support that is available and to help folks access that support.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 6, 2020”
August 5, 2020
Governor Walz today announced that Minnesota businesses damaged in the civil unrest following the death of George Floyd can apply for disaster assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This approval follows a letter the Governor sent to the SBA requesting that Minnesota businesses be eligible for this assistance.
Also today, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) launched an innovative pilot grant project for electric school buses that will support cleaner vehicle technology and reduce harmful air pollution. The program is another step toward achieving Minnesota’s goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80% by 2050. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 5, 2020”
August 4, 2020
This afternoon Governor Walz visited the Central Minnesota Council on Aging to highlight the availability of nearly 400,000 masks for Minnesotans who can’t afford or easily obtain one.
The masks went to 142 community organizations across the state: food banks and food shelves, supportive housing, area agencies on aging, shelters, organizations serving refugees and immigrants, human services organizations, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color organizations across the state of Minnesota. This one-time allotment will allow organizations and providers the ability to distribute masks to those they serve. Last week the Governor also announced that the state would provide nearly 4 million masks to support businesses and their customers as Minnesotans adjust to the statewide mask requirement.
Also today, the Governor visited the Mill Creek Dairy in Stearns County to discuss their conservation practices and other issues facing the agricultural industry.
Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 4, 2020”
August 3, 2020
This afternoon Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan visited Lake Street businesses that were impacted by the civil unrest earlier this summer. The Governor announced that he has requested a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration that would free up low-interest loans to help property owners rebuild after civil unrest caused extensive property damage in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The Governor has spent the last months listening to business and home owners following the civil unrest.
Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 3, 2020”
July 31, 2020
Governor Walz today announced more than 1 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Minnesota since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Widespread testing and notifying people in close contact with anyone who tests positive is one of the best ways to prevent COVID-19 cases from spreading. It also is a key metric in determining when it is safe to loosen restrictions on stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
In order to expand the state’s ability to mitigate this disease, additional testing sites and laboratory capacity are being created to meet growing demand. For the latest information on how to receive a COVID-19 test, visit mn.gov/covid19 Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 31, 2020”
Walz’s order allows online, hybrid or in-person classesMinnesota school districts will be granted flexibility in their reopening decisions this fall, depending on the spread of COVID-19 in their communities and their ability to meet a long list of health and safety standards in school buildings.
In his “Safe Learning Plan” released Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz said state officials are taking a “localized, data-driven approach” to reopening schools amid the global pandemic, with a goal of getting students back in the classroom while minimizing the spread of the virus. That means schools that meet particular thresholds could get clearance to reopen full or part time, while those in COVID-19 hot spots may have to start the school year at home, with distance learning.
The plan outlines a year in which schools that are able — and choose — to open will need to maintain strict cleaning procedures, make accommodations for physical distancing, enforce near-universal mask wearing and quickly pivot in the event of a school or community COVID-19 outbreak. Continue reading.
