Tag: Lt. Gov. Flanagan

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 20, 2020

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June 20, 2020</strong

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor are extremely disappointed in how the special legislative session concluded.

Last night, the Governor and Lt. Governor were deep in negotiations regarding police accountability and reform, federal funding to bring relief to communities across the state impacted by COVID-19, the Local Jobs & Projects Plan, and more—and Senate Republicans ended the legislative session and went home without reaching a consensus on creating real change and bringing economic relief to Minnesotans.

One of the administration’s key session priorities did get across the finish line: Increases for child care support, especially in Greater Minnesota. This will bring relief to families across the state. But there’s much more work to do. The Governor and Lt. Governor stand ready to continue this work to create real change for Minnesotans. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 20, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 19, 2020

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June 19, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz today issued a proclamation to officially recognize June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the State of Minnesota to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Governor Walz is also calling on the legislature to work with community to establish a state holiday recognizing Juneteenth.

“Juneteenth marks our country’s second Independence Day, celebrating freedom and justice and emphasizing education, achievement, and tolerance,” reads Governor Walz’s proclamation. “We must do everything in our power to come together to deconstruct generations of systemic racism in our state so that every person in Minnesota – Black, Indigenous, Brown, and White – can be safe and thrive.”

“It took more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed for news of freedom to reach enslaved African-Americans in Texas,” said Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. “Juneteenth is both a celebration and a reminder that justice does not come in one action nor is it quick. It is the work we must never stop doing.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 19, 2020”

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

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June 18, 2020

Updates from the Governor
Today, the Governor and Lt. Governor were joined by public safety officials and legislative leaders in pushing for police accountability and reform in advance of a debate on the House floor today. Last year, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Harrington and Attorney General Ellison convened a Police-Involved Deadly Force Encounters Working Group. After months of deliberation, they came forward with common sense, comprehensive proposals on police reform. Those months of hard conversations and research informed many of the bills that legislators are proposing today.

The People of Color and Indigenous Caucus has compiled many of those recommendations into a comprehensive package of proposals. The House has held numerous committee hearings, beginning with a 7-hour Public Safety hearing last Saturday. They are doing the work the community has asked for. And today, they are advancing these proposals in the House.

The Governor also ordered flags to fly at half staff on Friday, June 19. He has directed flags to fly at half staff on the 19th of each month through 2020 to honor, mourn and remember the victims of COVID-19 and their families.

The Department of Health (MDH) has developed guidance that can give long-term care residents and their families connection with their loved ones once again. MDH released guidance for window visits earlier this week. The guidance is effective immediately, and they strongly encourage long-term care facilities to implement it. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: June 18, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 17, 2020

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June 17, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor continue to work with the legislature to enact police reform and accountability and build a stronger and more equitable economy. The members of the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus have put together a strong package of reforms that will support meaningful police reform, including use of force reform, funding for alternatives to policing, and greater police oversight. The Governor and Lt. Governor are also advocating for a strong Local Jobs and Projects bill to create jobs across the state and revitalize infrastructure in communities in every corner of our state.

Also today, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced a partnership with Coursera, the leading online learning platform that offers courses from 200 top universities and businesses around the world, to create accounts for Minnesotans and provide immediate access to online courses. Minnesotans will have access to 3,800 courses that cover job-relevant skills in business, technology, and data science as well as courses related to professional and personal development. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 17, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 16, 2020

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June 16, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor today highlighted their Local Jobs and Projects Plan to jumpstart Minnesota’s economy and complete critical infrastructure projects across the state.

They were joined by Red Wing Mayor Sean Dowse, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura and members of the building and construction trades to discuss their plan to create immediate, high-quality, and good-paying jobs so Minnesotans can get back to work, and revitalize our housing, water, higher education, and public safety infrastructure across the state so it can serve Minnesotans for generations to come. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 16, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 15, 2020

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June 15, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz traveled to Duluth today to visit the Clayton-Jackson-McGhie memorial on the 100thanniversary of their deaths. On June 15, 1920, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, three Black men, were wrongfully accused of a crime, violently removed from the Duluth city jail by an estimated mob of 10,000, and brutally hanged from a lamp post on a city street.

The Governor formally recognized their deaths with a proclamation today to commemorate the tragic and often untold chapter in our state’s history. On Friday, the Governor issued the state’s first posthumous pardon to Max Mason, who was wrongfully convicted and used as a scapegoat for the lynching. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 15, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 14, 2020

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June 14, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Below is a list of resources available to help Minnesotans through the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19. Governor Walz and Minnesota’s Department of Health continue to encourage Minnesotans who have participated in large gatherings to get a test for the virus.

Testing: Minnesotans with COVID-19 symptoms are always encouraged to get a test. Locations in your community can be found here. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 14, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 13, 2020

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June 13, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Governor and Lt. Governor continue to lead Minnesota through the COVID-19 pandemic and long-overdue police reform and accountability by listening to public health experts, community leaders, and impacted Minnesotans. Below is a summary of their actions this week.

Week in Review

On Monday, June 8 the Department of Health (MDH) released guidance to help Minnesotans safely get back to the sports they love. Different risk levels mean different precautions. See guidance for youth and adult sports, including the full list of sports at Stay Safe Guidance for Organized Sports. MDH also announced Minnesota was averaging over 11,000 tests per day, and continued to encourage Minnesotans who had been in large groups to get a test. Find a provider near you. The Governor also visited St. Paul businesses impacted by recent unrest in the Twin Cities to survey damage and to listen to their goals moving forward. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 13, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 12, 2020

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June 12, 2020

Today, the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which consists of the Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, granted the state’s first posthumous pardon to Max Mason, who was wrongfully convicted in connection with the lynching of three innocent black men in Duluth. Governor Walz noted that the pardon was 100 years overdue, and acknowledged importance of grappling with Minnesota’s history of racism.

Peacetime Emergency

Following the advice of public health experts, senior advocates, labor, doctors, hospitals, and long-term care providers, Governor Walz today extended the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to rapidly-evolving issues stemming from COVID-19. Over 50 community and public health organizations have written to Governor Walz, explaining how the peacetime emergency has allowed them to protect Minnesotans and asking him to extend it. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 12, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 10, 2020

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June 10, 2020

Updates from the Governor

As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and grapple with needed police reform following George Floyd’s death, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced that they will convene a special legislative session beginning Friday, June 12. The Governor and Lt. Governor’s priorities for special session are clear: We will pass police reform and accountability and build a stronger, more equitable economy.

“Minnesota is at a turning point. This is our chance to take strong action to combat persistent structural inequities, pass substantive police reform, and build a stronger economy,” said Governor Walz. “I look forward to working with the legislature to seize this moment and build a brighter future for Minnesotans.”

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan know that the best ideas come from community, and they are committed to working with the Legislature, the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus, and community leaders to take strong action to combat persistent structural inequities, pass substantive police reform, and build a stronger, more vibrant economy for all Minnesotans – especially for those whose economic well-being and businesses have been hit hardest. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 10, 2020”