Tag: Tim Walz

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 15, 2020

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July 15, 2020

Updates from the Governor

The Minnesota Department of Health continues to encourage Minnesotans to get tested for COVID-19if they feel sick – it’s one of the best tools we have to help contain the spread of the virus. And it’s important that testing is accessible to Minnesotans with and without insurance. Today, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced a new health care option that will cover testing for individuals who do not have insurance. Information can be found on their website here. The site also has information about programs to help Minnesotans having a hard time paying their health care bills during the pandemic.

Child Care Support
Starting today, Minnesota child care providers can apply for funding announced by Governor Walz last week. Approximately 7,000 Minnesota child care providers will be eligible for $56.6 million in funds to help  ensure children’s and staff’s health and safety in their child care settings during COVID-19. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 15, 2020”

Lawmakers clash over Gov. Tim Walz’s emergency powers during pandemic

Disagreement about Walz’s extension threatens action on infrastructure spending.

Minnesota lawmakers returned to the State Capitol on Monday hoping to resolve continuing partisan differences on police accountability, a major public works package and several tax and spending measures.

But first they faced off over Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to extend his emergency powers for another 30 days to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, a move that prompted the second legislative session of the summer, just four months ahead of the November elections.

As expected, the Republican-led Senate quickly passed a resolution to rescind the DFL governor’s emergency powers, which have become entangled in negotiations over police reform and a massive infrastructure borrowing package. The vote was 36-31, with only one lawmaker, DFL Sen. Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, crossing party lines. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 13, 2020

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July 13, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Following the advice of public health experts, Governor Tim Walz today extended the COVID-19 peacetime emergency that gives the state flexibility in responding to critical issues stemming from COVID-19.

COVID-19 continues to present an unprecedented and rapidly evolving challenge to our state. The peacetime emergency has provided us tools to save lives and mitigate the impacts of this pandemic. And we are not alone – 49 out of 50 states currently have a peacetime emergency in place.

Since the Governor declared a peacetime emergency, Minnesota has taken strong steps to respond to and provide relief for COVID-19 by enhancing protections for veterans in our veterans homes, activating the National Guard to assist in relief efforts, partnering with Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota to launch a statewide testing strategy to test all symptomatic people, and providing economic relief and stability to those impacted by the pandemic. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 13, 2020”

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 14, 2020

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July 14, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan know that communities across the state are struggling with the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some Minnesotans, a lost job or unexpected expenses have put their housing at risk.

That’s why today, at West Broadway Crescent Apartments, the Governor and Lt. Governor announced a $100 million housing assistance program to help prevent evictions, prevent homelessness, and maintain housing stability for individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. The $100 million investment will be funded with federal dollars through the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which was authorized by the CARES Act.

The Walz-Flanagan Administration has been working to combat homelessness and housing instability long before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Administration has been working with communities to provide funding for outreach, shelter, and critical services. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in Minnesota, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor fought for state appropriations and provided more than $26 million to help shelters and street outreach workers give Minnesotans a safe place to go, creating more than 2,100 additional safe spaces statewide. Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 14, 2020”

Face masks remain symbol of division as Gov. Tim Walz considers mandate

The partisan divide was apparent on the face of every Minnesota lawmaker gathered for the private meeting at the State Capitol in June.

It was the closing hours of the last special session and the group of dealmakers remained at odds on the intricacies of police reform. But before negotiations even began, there was a stark contrast: Every Democrat entered the room with a face covering; but not one Republican wore a mask.

The face mask — a basic item health officials consider a simple precaution against the spread of COVID-19 — has become a symbol of political division across the state and the nation. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 12, 2020

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July 12, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Minnesotans are facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. 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: July 12, 2020”

Special session No. 2 to begin Monday

For the second time in as many months the House and Senate will meet in a special session.

Gov. Tim Walz has issued a proclamation calling the Legislature back to St. Paul at noon Monday, and he will extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by 30 days to help the state continue to respond to the pandemic.

Walz is urging members to pass a “robust” capital investment package, police reform and accountability measures and assistance for businesses impacted by civil unrest following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd. Continue reading.

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.