Tag: Gov. Walz

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 11, 2020

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July 11, 2020

Updates from the Governor

This week, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan visited child care centers, a food bank, and a cultural mall to hear from communities impacted by COVID-19 and highlight resources available to help. Below is a recap of their actions this week.

Week in Review

On Monday, July 6 To bring consistency and safety to traffic stops, the Department of Public Safety announced they have updated the Minnesota Driver’s Manual to include information on what drivers and law enforcement should expect during a traffic stop, particularly when a driver has a firearm. View the new language starting on page 40 of the Minnesota Driver’s Manual.

On Tuesday, July 7 Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan visited child care centers to announce $56.6 million to help support Minnesota child care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families seeking care can call the Child Care Aware parent line at 1.888.291.9811 or visit mn.gov/childcare for a map of open providers. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 11, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 9, 2020

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July 9, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan visited the Village Market in Minneapolis today to highlight a $2.5 million program to support cultural malls impacted by COVID-19 and encourage operators to apply for relief by 5pm tomorrow, July 10. The Governor signed the funding into law on June 16 as part of a $62.5 million package to support small businesses.

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The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) today released the results of a survey asking Minnesota families about their experience with distance learning and their thoughts on the upcoming school year. They received over 130,000 responses, which showed that 64% of respondents selected that they would feel comfortable sending their students back to school. This survey is just one of MDE’s many public engagement efforts to seek feedback from students, families, educators, and school staff on the distance learning experience this spring before making an announcement on the upcoming school year later this month. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 9, 2020”

Gov. Tim Walz directs $12 million in federal aid to Minnesota food shelves

Federal CARES Act money will go to more than 300 food shelves statewide.

More than 300 food shelves across the state will see an influx of $12 million in federal funding in response to increased demand during the coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced the funding Wednesday after a tour of the Department of Indian Work in St. Paul, a food shelf that works with Native American families to provide healthy meals.

“Delivery of that food to families in normal times is difficult enough, but now in the time of COVID, one in eight of our neighbors doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from,” Walz said. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 8, 2020

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July 8, 2020

Updates from the Governor

At the Department of Indian Work food shelf today, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced $12 million to combat hunger in Minnesotan amid COVID-19. This funding will support approximately 300 food shelves and all seven food banks across Minnesota.

Approximately 300 thousand Minnesotans have visited food shelves each month since the pandemic began, representing approximately a 30 percent increase over typical visits. The $12 million in emergency support for food shelves, food banks, and other emergency food efforts across the state will help meet this unprecedented demand. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 8, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Update: July 7, 2020

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July 7, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced $56.6 million to help support Minnesota child care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Walz announced the funding this morning at the Learning Garden in St. Paul and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan highlighted the funding with a visit to a family child care provider in Rochester.

“Child care providers have stepped up to serve emergency workers and ensure families across Minnesota have a safe and reliable place to send their children,” said Governor Walz. “We will continue to support the critical work they do to educate our next generation, support families, and strengthen our economy.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Update: July 7, 2020”

Gov. Wa.z and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 6, 2020

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July 6, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) today announced that they have updated the Minnesota Driver’s Manual to include information on what drivers and law enforcement should expect during a traffic stop, particularly when a driver has a firearm.

Valerie Castile advocated for the addition to the manual to encourage consistency in traffic stops by law enforcement and ensure that drivers know what to expect. Castile’s son, Philando, died four years ago today after a Falcon Heights police officer shot him during a traffic stop. Philando Castile informed the officer that he was legally carrying a firearm.

DPS Commissioner John Harrington said being stopped by a law enforcement officer can be a stressful experience. However, knowing what to do during the interaction will help to ensure a safe interaction for all involved. Continue reading “Gov. Wa.z and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 6, 2020”

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Update: June 2, 2020

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July 2, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Minnesota families have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Governor Tim Walz, and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a commitment by 31 Minnesota financial institutions to provide mortgage-relief options to customers facing financial hardship caused by COVID-19 for homeowners not covered by the CARES Act. This initiative will provide flexibility to Minnesotans who need help affording their mortgage payments during this unprecedented time.

Under this framework, participating financial institutions have agreed to offer the following relief options:

  • 90-day forbearance period for customers facing financial hardship caused by COVID-19 Participating financial institutions will offer mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days to single- or multi-family mortgage customers directly impacted by COVID-19. The framework went into effect yesterday, July 1, 2020, so qualifying customers can begin applying for forbearance immediately.
  • Customers accessing forbearance will not be required to make a lump-sum payment at the end of forbearance plan Participating financial institutions will not require single-family customers who qualify for forbearance under this framework to make a lump-sum payment at the end of the forbearance plan. Instead these institutions will work with borrowers on repayment options, which may include:
    • Allowing customers to add the reduced or missed payments over the lifetime of their loans; or
    • Extending the maturity of the loan to make up for the missed payments.
  • No late fees or negative credit reporting for customers in a forbearance plan For single-family customers who are in an active forbearance plan under this framework, the participating financial institutions will:
    • Freeze all mortgage-related late fees for missed payments; and
    • Not report late or missed payments with credit reporting agencies.

More information is available here.

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan wish Minnesotans a happy and safe Fourth of July this weekend. We know our celebrations will look a little different this year. And as COVID-19 cases surge in many states, we must take steps to protect our neighbors and loved ones. That’s why we are encouraging Minnesotans to wear a mask this holiday weekend. It is one of the simplest ways you can support local businesses and keep yourselves and others safe.

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Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread.
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms – Find testing locations.
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 1, 2020

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July 1, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and insulin affordability advocates celebrated the launch of the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program. The program, created by the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, allows Minnesotans in urgent need of insulin to access the life-saving drug through their pharmacy.

For far too long, sky-rocketing costs have priced too many Minnesotans out of the medicine that they need to live. Thanks to the legislators and advocates who fought for years against great odds, Minnesotans in urgent need of insulin now have peace of mind knowing they can apply for the Insulin Safety Net Program. This program ensures that no Minnesotan will ever have to choose between the medicine they need to live, food on the table, or a place to call home. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 1, 2020”

Minnesota achieves COVID-19 testing ‘moonshot’ goal

Gov. Tim Walz lauded Minnesota on Monday for reaching its “moonshot” testing goal to closely track the spread of COVID-19, but he warned that everything from mask-wearing in public to social distancing in bars will be needed to see the state through this pandemic.

While Minnesota isn’t seeing the rapid growth in COVID-19 occurring right now in other states, Walz said he is concerned because of the recent outbreaks related to crowded bars and the gatherings over the upcoming holiday weekend that could spread the coronavirus that causes the infectious disease.

“We’re going to have to learn to live with and manage COVID-19 for quite some time,” he said. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: June 30, 2020

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June 30, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan announced a public-private partnership of philanthropic and business leaders from across Minnesota to meet the technology and connectivity needs of families who have children in school. The partnership, ConnectedMN, is led by Best Buy, Comcast, Blandin Foundation, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota Business Partnership, in collaboration with the State of Minnesota.

Before the start of the upcoming school year, ConnectedMN’s goal is to bring technology and internet access to students across the state, especially communities most in need, including Indigenous students and students of color, students from low-income families, and families who live in rural Minnesota. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: June 30, 2020”