A Greeting From Senator Hoffman!
Responding to the Coronavirus in Minnesota
The Center for Disease warns of a potential pandemic as cases of the Coronavirus or COVID-19 in the US and around the world continue to rise rapidly. The virus originated from Wuhan, China and spread internationally causing outbreaks in Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Italy.
Governor Waltz and Minnesota legislators are actively monitoring the spread of the virus and working to ensure enough funding is available for when COVID-19 reaches Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health is working closely with the Center for Disease Control in tracking the situation and working with health care providers for recommendations and testing. Minnesota now is capable of testing for the virus locally with new kits able to detect up to 800 cases of COVID-19.
The Senate and House are working together to appropriate additional funds to prepare in case the virus spreads. Governor Walz expects the federal government’s assistance in preventative measures and emergency funding for impacted states. State legislators and the Department of Health are in close contact with schools, healthcare, and retirement facilities to ensure safety measures are in place.
The Senate Finance Committee met this week to hear legislation to appropriate $5 million to the Public Health Contingency Account for COVID-19 preparations. The contingency fund currently only has a $4.6 million balance. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) expressed concerns if this virus becomes widespread, there could be a system overload. Hospitals say funding is needed to: increase available beds, provide isolation rooms, and increase ventilator capacity if necessary. They also need to provide resources for care workers to ensure they are safe when working with patients. Hospitals may need to increase staffing, cover extended hours, and account for staff absences while ensuring safe patient triage using phone banks and medicine to keep patients home, not in doctor’s offices. Finally, they need funding for training for health care staff specific to COVID-19.
The bill was laid over for further consideration and possible amendments. After the hearing, MDH sent out an updated budget estimate for the COVID19/public health contingency account. Their updated ask is $20.9 million to pay for staffing, lab costs, local public health, health care coalitions, and personal protective equipment.
There are simple measures that everyone can take to help protect themselves and others around them. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm reminds Minnesotans that the best way to prevent the spread is by washing your hands thoroughly, avoiding touching your face, and covering your cough. Additional preventative measures as well as more information about the virus can be found hereon the Minnesota Department of Health’s website. COVID-19 is likely to spread to Minnesota; let’s keep our communities safe by doing what we can to stay healthy and up to date about the virus. Click Here to learn more about the virus and get updated on the current situation. (SF 3813)
Bonding bills create jobs
The Senate Capital Investment Committee held its first hearing at the Capitol this week. During the fall, the Capital Investment Committee went on several tours of the state to review prospective projects. Even numbered years in the legislative biennium are typically reserved for supplemental budgets and capital investment bills.
Legislative leaders and Governor Walz have indicated passing a bonding bill is an important priority this legislative session. Capital Investment bills require a three-fifths majority to secure passage, which is unique as other bills only require a simple majority. As a result of the makeup of the Legislature, these proposals will require bipartisan support to pass into law.
Typically, capital investment bills are one of the last bills to pass the legislature before adjournment. Watch for future updates as the bonding bill comes together this session.
Disaster assistance bill passes the Senate
The Senate passed a bill this week that appropriates $30 million to the disaster assistance contingency account.
The state’s disaster assistance contingency account was created in 2014, in order to dispense disaster assistance funds to cities without waiting for a special session.
The account has been used 40 times, and the Legislature has appropriated $82 million for the account. Sixteen of the last 40 requests have come in the last two years. The fund has been used more often recently as natural disasters are happening more frequently and becoming more severe.
The account provides the funds for gubernatorial-declared disasters as well as the required 25% share of state funding when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) declares a federal emergency. The Legislature last session funded the disaster assistance contingency account with enough dollars to account for the state’s share of FEMA’s spring 2019 flooding assessments, as well as additional state-declared emergencies. However, in January of 2020, Minnesota was informed that FEMA severely underestimated the cost of recovery and nearly doubled their assessment.
The account is facing a $3 million deficit due to unexpected high flooding during the spring of 2019. The Senate has worked to pass this bill quickly to ensure our communities are taken care of after natural disasters.
The House is expected to take up the bill on the floor once the Senate passes it. It will then go to Governor Walz who has already committed to signing the bill. (SF 3564)
The deadline to obtain a Real ID is rapidly approaching
The deadline to obtain a REAL ID is rapidly approaching. The Real ID Act was passed in 2005 by Congress as a method to combat terrorism post-9/11 but is just now being implemented in Minnesota. Starting October 1 of 2020, the law will require the possession of a REAL ID to fly domestically, enter federal courthouses, and enter military bases. To obtain a REAL ID, Minnesotans will need to bring documents proving identity, social security number, and two different documents proving Minnesota residency to the DMV. To avoid extensive time spent at the DMV, citizens of Minnesota can begin the application process online at drive.mn.gov. It is also important to note that processing could take over a month, so planning a trip to the DMV well before the deadline will be advantageous (it is recommended to apply by June 1, 2020).
Minnesota leadership strongly advises citizens to obtain a REAL ID before the deadline. Failure to do so will result in denial of boarding commercial flights as well as significant backlog later this year. Currently, the wait time for a Real ID after applying for one is 46 days, but that number could be as high as 90-120 for those who wait until after the deadline.
I was fortunate to run into this adorable helper, Makta, while making my way through the capitol. She is the bomb sniffing dog that keeps our Capitol Safe from all suspicious packages!
Makta is one of the hardest working law enforcement professionals you’ll ever meet and one of the most useful. Every day you can see her and her partner, Kaj Meinhardt, patrolling the Capitol to keep it safe. Thank you both for your service to our State Capitol. Your presence is a huge deterrent and assures safety and protection for all. We are so grateful for the work the Minnesota State Troopers provide for everyone. Thank you for your service.
Thank You!
It is my greatest honor to represent you the citizens of Brooklyn Park, Champlin and Coon Rapids here at our great state capitol. In addition to representing you, I absolutely enjoy it when you come visit.So come on down, reach out and tell me what matters to you so I can continue working on your behalf. You can reach me by email at sen.john.hoffman@senate.mn, phone by 651-296-4154 or just stop by. I am at 95 University Avenue Suite 2231 in the Minnesota Senate Building
Sincerely,
Senator John Hoffman
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call my office at 651-296-4154 or by e-mail at jhoffman@senate.mn
