Tag: Peggy Flanagan

September 3, 2020

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Updates from the Governor

Heading into fall, Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm today urged Minnesotans to double down in their efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Currently at over 30 percent, Minnesota’s rate of community transmission is at a high and sustained level.

“As we head into the fall and the long winter ahead, we must double down in our fight to combat the spread of COVID-19,” said Governor Walz. “We must all do our part to slow the spread, protect our communities, and keep our businesses open. I know it is hard, but Minnesotans are resilient people. We must dig deep, stay strong, and hold the virus at bay.”

“I know it is incredibly difficult to not hug your grandparents. It can be awkward to ask your friends to wear a mask. It’s a hassle to keep sanitizing your hands. But just because you’re over the pandemic, doesn’t mean it’s over you,” said Lt. Governor Flanagan. “As the weather grows colder and we approach flu season, it is more important than ever that we take strict precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

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September 2, 2020

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Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that teachers, school staff, and childcare providers across the state have received access to their free COVID-19 saliva test, totaling more than 250,000 tests. The saliva tests are part of the Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year and consistent with Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan’s commitment to providing access to COVID-19 testing for Minnesotans working in child care and prekindergarten to grade 12 schools.

“As a classroom teacher for more than 20 years and a parent of a child in public schools, I know that a safe classroom is the foundation for learning,” said Governor Walz. “Those educating and caring for Minnesota’s next generation deserve the peace of mind that these COVID-19 tests will provide.”

“All families in our state, including our littlest Minnesotans, want to know their teachers, school nutrition workers, and child care staff are supported. This means if they are exposed to COVID-19 as a frontline worker, we work to make sure they have access to testing,” said Lt Governor Flanagan. “Our goal is to create safe in-person learning for as many children as possible, and saliva tests are one piece of the puzzle to support that plan.”

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August 26, 2020

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Updates from the Governor

Governor Tim Walz proclaimed today, August 26, 2020, as Women’s Equality Day in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the adoption of the 19^th Amendment. August 26 represents the culmination of a 72-year campaign to extend the right to vote to women in the United States and serves as an ongoing symbol of the fight for equal rights. You can find the full proclamation here.

Additionally, Governor Walz today signed Executive Orders 20-85 and 20-86, which formalize Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidance regarding the total classroom occupancy allowed in higher education settings and allow cooperatives to waive in-person meeting requirements. You can find the Executive Orders here.

Minnesota’s COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program officially launched August 25, 2020. This CARES Act funded program allocates $100 million to cover housing expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, or other housing-related expenditures. This program will help keep folks in their homes and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners in communities across the state.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 26, 2020”

August 25, 2020

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Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced that Minnesota has partnered with the nation’s leading distributor of saliva testing to create plans for a new lab in Minnesota, expanding and diversifying testing capacity for Minnesotans, creating jobs, and slowing the spread of COVID-19.

State officials are working to finalize the $14.66 million contract with Vault Health and RUCDR Infinite Biologics. Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics holds the country’s first FDA Emergency Use AuthorizationPCR saliva test for COVID-19 while Vault Health provides logistics and telehealth services necessary to carry out the test. The planned lab will have the ability to more than double the state’s current test processing capacity. The contractors expect to have the lab up and running by early October. The funding is provided by the state’s federal CARES Act funding.

This new saliva lab will be capable of processing as many as 30,000 samples a day, if running 3 shifts. At full capacity, it would also create up to 250 jobs at its planned location in Oakdale, Minnesota. Currently, Minnesota’s testing capacity hovers between 20,000 and 22,000 tests per day. The rolling average of PCR COVID-19 tests processed daily in Minnesota labs is just under 14,000 a day.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 25, 2020”

August 24, 2020

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Updates from the Governor

Minnesota’s $100 million COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program officially launched today, which will help prevent eviction and homelessness and maintain housing stability for eligible renters and homeowners. The program is funded by the federal CARES Act and is designed to cover expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities, or other housing-related costs. 

Local administrators will review applications from individuals and families requesting assistance, verify eligibility, and process payments for eligible expenses on behalf of households. Minnesotans interested in applying and learning more about the program can begin the application process by calling Greater Twin Cities United Way’s 211 Resource Helpline (Toll Free: 1.800.543.7709; Local: 651.291.0211), visiting 211unitedway.org, or texting “MNRENT” or “MNHOME” to 898-211. The 211 helpline has dedicated multilingual staff available to answer questions about the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: August 24, 2020”

August 21, 2020

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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. 

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August 20, 2020

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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: August 20, 2020”

August 19, 2020

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Updates from the Governor

Today, Governor Tim Walz announced an application process to select a Commissioner to lead the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.

The Department of Labor and Industry ensures Minnesota’s work and living environments are equitable, healthy, and safe. The agency oversees the state’s programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, dual-training pipeline, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, workers’ compensation, and youth skills training.

“The next Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry will build on the strong foundation of Commissioner Nancy Leppink’s work by playing a critical role in keeping workers safe as we navigate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Walz. “I am grateful for the dedicated public servants who will step forward and apply to lead during these uncharted times.”

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