Tag: Gov. Walz

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

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July 21, 2020

Updates from the Governor

George Floyd’s death brought the urgent need for meaningful police reform into sharp focus for Minnesotans across the state. And last night, the Legislature passed bipartisan police accountability and reform measures.

Governor Walz looks forward to signing the long-overdue reforms that will strengthen transparency and community oversight of policing, ban chokeholds and ‘warrior training,’ expand autism awareness and mental health de-escalation training for officers, and change the circumstances under which officers can use deadly force.

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan thank communities of color and the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus, who have led this conversation and fought tirelessly for change. This bill does not end the Governor and Lt. Governor’s commitment to people, families and communities impacted by police violence, and they will continue working closely with those most affected to achieve meaningful change. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 21, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 29, 2020

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July 19, 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. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 29, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 18, 2020

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July 18, 2020

Updates from the Governor

This week, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan continued to work toward an agreement with the House and Senate on police accountability and reform and passing a strong Local Jobs and Projects bill focused on public safety, water infrastructure, housing and higher education that meets the needs of Minnesotans across the state.

Today, the Governor directed Minnesota flags to fly at half staff to honor Civil Rights leader and Congressman John Lewis. Below is a recap of the Walz-Flanagan administration’s actions this week.

Week in Review

strong>On Monday, July 13 following the advice of public health experts, Governor Walz extended the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to critical issues stemming from COVID-19, including increasing testing, acquiring PPE, and providing economic relief to Minnesota families. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 18, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 15, 2020

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July 15, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Minnesota Department of Health continues to encourage Minnesotans to get tested for COVID-19if they feel sick – it’s one of the best tools we have to help contain the spread of the virus. And it’s important that testing is accessible to Minnesotans with and without insurance. Today, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced a new health care option that will cover testing for individuals who do not have insurance. Information can be found on their website here. The site also has information about programs to help Minnesotans having a hard time paying their health care bills during the pandemic.

Child Care Support
Starting today, Minnesota child care providers can apply for funding announced by Governor Walz last week. Approximately 7,000 Minnesota child care providers will be eligible for $56.6 million in funds to help  ensure children’s and staff’s health and safety in their child care settings during COVID-19. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 15, 2020”

Lawmakers clash over Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers during pandemic

Disagreement about Walz’s extension threatens action on infrastructure spending.

Minnesota lawmakers returned to the State Capitol on Monday hoping to resolve continuing partisan differences on police accountability, a major public works package and several tax and spending measures.

But first they faced off over Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to extend his emergency powers for another 30 days to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, a move that prompted the second legislative session of the summer, just four months ahead of the November elections.

As expected, the Republican-led Senate quickly passed a resolution to rescind the DFL governor’s emergency powers, which have become entangled in negotiations over police reform and a massive infrastructure borrowing package. The vote was 36-31, with only one lawmaker, DFL Sen. Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, crossing party lines. Continue reading.

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

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July 13, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Following the advice of public health experts, Governor Tim Walz today extended the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to critical issues stemming from COVID-19.

COVID-19 continues to present an unprecedented and rapidly evolving challenge to our state. The peacetime emergency has provided us tools to save lives and mitigate the impacts of this pandemic. And we are not alone – 49 out of 50 states currently have a peacetime emergency in place.

Since the Governor declared a peacetime emergency, Minnesota has taken strong steps to respond to and provide relief for COVID-19 by enhancing protections for veterans in our veterans homes, activating the National Guard to assist in relief efforts, partnering with Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota to launch a statewide testing strategy to test all symptomatic people, and providing economic relief and stability to those impacted by the pandemic. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 13, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 14, 2020

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July 14, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan know that communities across the state are struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some Minnesotans, a lost job or unexpected expenses have put their housing at risk.

That’s why today, at West Broadway Crescent Apartments, the Governor and Lt. Governor announced a $100 million housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. The $100 million investment will be funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was authorized by the CARES Act.

The Walz-Flanagan Administration has been working to combat homelessness and housing instability long before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Administration has been working with communities to provide funding for outreach, shelter, and critical services. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in Minnesota, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor fought for state appropriations and provided more than $26 million to help shelters and street outreach workers give Minnesotans a safe place to go, creating more than 2,100 additional safe spaces statewide. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 14, 2020”

Face masks remain symbol of division as Gov. Tim Walz considers mandate

The partisan divide was apparent on the face of every Minnesota lawmaker gathered for the private meeting at the State Capitol in June.

It was the closing hours of the last special session and the group of dealmakers remained at odds on the intricacies of police reform. But before negotiations even began, there was a stark contrast: Every Democrat entered the room with a face covering; but not one Republican wore a mask.

The face mask — a basic item health officials consider a simple precaution against the spread of COVID-19 — has become a symbol of political division across the state and the nation. Continue reading.

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

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July 12, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Minnesotans are facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. 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. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 12, 2020”

Special session No. 2 to begin Monday

For the second time in as many months the House and Senate will meet in a special session.

Gov. Tim Walz has issued a proclamation calling the Legislature back to St. Paul at noon Monday, and he will extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days to help the state continue to respond to the pandemic.

Walz is urging members to pass a “robust” capital investment package, police reform and accountability measures and assistance for businesses impacted by civil unrest following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd. Continue reading.