But auditor’s report is expected to reveal more grant oversight failures.
In the fall of 2019, only weeks after taking the helm of Minnesota’s largest state agency, Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead was thrust into a political firestorm over her department’s mishandling of tens of millions of dollars in Medicaid funds.
Before a chamber of angry lawmakers, Harpstead pledged to rebuild trust in the $21 billion agency, reinforcing her point by testifying next to a plaque with the word “trustworthy” etched in granite.
“There is nothing more important for the Minnesota Department of Human Services than to be trustworthy,” she declared. Continue reading.
Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, House and Senate DFL Energy Leads Announce Plan to Achieve 100 Percent Clean Energy in Minnesota by 2040
On Thursday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced a set of policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100 percent clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2040. The policies build on the success that Minnesota has already achieved in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of clean energy resources to power the state while ensuring reliable, affordable electricity.
“The time to fight climate change is now,” said Governor Walz. “Not only is clean energy the right and responsible choice for future generations, clean energy maximizes job creation and grows our economy, which is especially important as we work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. I am proud to announce a set of policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100% clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2040. Minnesotans have the ingenuity and innovation needed to power this future, and we are ready to pioneer the green energy economy.”
Photo courtesy of the Star Tribune
As Governor Walz Calls for Further Supply from Federal Government, Minnesota Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program
On Monday, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota has launched a COVID-19 vaccine pilot program in partnership with local public health and school districts. These sites will initially serve adults 65 years of age or older, as well as prekindergarten through grade 12 educators, school staff, and child care workers. The community vaccination pilot program will be the foundation for mass vaccination clinics in Minnesota communities once the federal government increases vaccine supply. The nine pilot sites launched this week with a small number of doses for eligible Minnesotans.
Governor Walz looks forward to partnering with the Biden administration on procuring more vaccines for Minnesotans. He sent a letter with other governors last week expressing frustration with the previous administration’s botched COVID-19 vaccine distribution and urged the federal government to purchase as many doses of the safe and effective vaccine as possible so states can get more shots in arms in the coming weeks.
Governor Walz Visits Long-Term Care Center, Discusses Vaccination Effort
Today, Governor Walz visited a rehabilitation and skilled nursing care center to discuss the successful vaccination effort in long-term care settings. As of Thursday, more than 203,000 Minnesotans have gotten at least their first dose of vaccine. Nearly 42,000 Minnesotans have received both doses. The most recent data reported to the State of Minnesota shows that 43,000 individuals in long-term care settings have received a shot via our pharmacy partners.
Governor Walz today appointed Roslyn Robertson as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). Robertson’s extensive history of leadership at DLI most recently includes her service as Temporary Commissioner. This appointment follows an application review and interview process beginning with a call for applications last fall. Robertson replaces Nancy Leppink as Commissioner for a term beginning today.
Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Lives Lost to COVID-19
United States flag at half mast, seen from below with the sun behind
On Monday, Governor Walz directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to remember, mourn, and honor lives lost due to COVID-19. Governor Walz encouraged all Minnesotans to light a candle in their window as a sign of remembrance and unity during these challenging times.
Now more than ever, we need your help to share the news about COVIDaware MN. As Minnesota opens up, make sure your friends & families understand their COVID-19 exposure risk. COVIDaware MN notifies you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, and you can anonymously alert others if you test positive.
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On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced a COVID-19 economic relief package to keep businesses afloat, support workers struggling to get by, and help Minnesota families keep food on the table. Governor Walz will work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to move forward this much-needed proposal, integrate additional proposals, and call a special session when an agreement is final.
Health systems are pressuring staffs as new cases hit nearly 6,000
As COVID-19 cases in Minnesota continue to surge, some Minnesota hospitals and health care providers are asking employees with “higher-risk” exposure to the disease to return to work before their quarantines end.
The requests are forcing health care workers to choose between following the state guidance of quarantining for 14 days after virus exposure or going back to the job sooner than that. State officials say isolating for two weeks is highly recommended, but voluntary.
“The deck just seems stacked against us,” said Mary Turner, an intensive-care nurse at North Memorial Health Hospital and president of the Minnesota Nurses Association. Continue reading.
On Wednesday, Governor Tim Walz (D) and former Minnesota Governors Mark Dayton (D), Tim Pawlenty (R) and Jesse Ventura (I) launched a nonpartisan Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign calling for civility and decency around the upcoming election. In the PSA, the nonpartisan group of Governors encourage Minnesotans to vote, express confidence in Minnesota’s safe and secure voting system, and explain why results may not be final on Election Night.
Minnesota’s one-day toll hits 29 after rising number of late-summer infections.
Concerns over rising COVID-19 infection rates across Minnesota gave way Wednesday to a grim statistic: a spike in deaths.
State health officials reported 29 COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday — the highest one-day total since June.
“This reflects the increase in disease we have been seeing in the community for many weeks, with deaths as a lagging indicator,” said Kris Ehresmann, state infectious disease director at the Minnesota Department of Health. “We should not be surprised if we continue to see the number of deaths from COVID moving forward higher than we have seen in the last months.” Continue reading.
Governor Walz Hears from Minnesotans Impacted by COVID-19
On Wednesday, Governor Walz facilitated a socially-distanced roundtable discussion with physicians, public health professionals, and Minnesotans impacted by COVID-19 to discuss the virus’s impact on Minnesota and steps people can take to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Thursday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced a $3 million investment in mental health services for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. The $3 million investment will be funded through the CARES Act.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan also visited St. David’s Center to highlight the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s commitment to prioritizing mental health for children and families during Mental Illness Awareness Week.
In the final month, both sides have been forced to confront the COVID-19 pandemic in new and surprising ways.
Even the cars were socially distanced in a Woodbury parking lot on Tuesday night as Democrats filed into every other parking spot for a pandemic-era drive-in debate watch party. Instead of cheers, they laid on their horns when Joe Biden turned to President Donald Trump and asked: “Will you shut up, man?”
“As a Minnesotan, honking makes me really nervous, but I’m into it,” DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said to scores of windshields, pivoting to a plea for volunteers. “We’re not knocking on a lot of doors, but you have to call people. You have to have conversations with your neighbors about what’s at stake.”
Two days later, Eric Trump asked a crowd gathered in person outside a Becker, Minn., trucking facility how they’d rate his dad’s performance in the debate. Hundreds wearing MAGA swag — but few face masks — raised their hands and cheered. “We lost this state by 1% in 2016, I’m very mad at all of you,” Trump’s son told the crowd. “But I’m telling you, we’re going to win it this time.” Continue reading.
The milestone reached in Minnesota this weekend is sobering, with COVID-19 deaths equaling the population of Hinckley, Eyota or Warroad.
The COVID-19 pandemic has inundated people with waves of numbers about infections and positivity rates and diagnostic test performance, but the milestone Minnesota reached this weekend is sobering.
Two thousand deaths.
That’s the population of Hinckley, Eyota, or Warroad.
“Two thousand is a big number,” said Dr. Rahul Koranne of the Minnesota Hospital Association. “That’s heartbreaking.” Continue reading.
Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan continued their Statewide Safe Learning Tour, visiting schools in Moorhead and St. Cloud. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are kicking off the start of the 2020-21 school year by visiting students and educators both in-person and virtually across the state.
