Dear Neighbors,
Following a week that saw the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, my colleagues and I in the Minnesota Legislature have since passed legislation to reinforce the efforts of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) with an unanimously-supported bill that invested $20.8 million in treating and preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Today, Governor Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency, emphasizing the need to deploy community mitigation strategies (canceling large events, avoiding crowds and travel, keeping substantial space between you and others). This is a quickly evolving situation, but these recommendations don’t mean that healthy Minnesotans should bar themselves from leaving their home entirely, rather that practical measures should be taken to prevent the contraction and spread of COVID-19.
We’re in a moment of uncertainty right now, but it’s imperative that these challenging times are met with smart and responsible legislation. To that end, my colleagues and I have crafted a package of bills that would make sure that during and after this virus, Minnesota remains strong. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure Minnesotans have access to the healthcare they need, the wages they deserve, and the goods they require. We’re going to see this through, thanks to the tireless efforts of our public health professionals, and our work at the State Capitol is going to be focused on making sure we remain responsive to this issue as it evolves. The bills we’re working on would:
- HF 4414 - Unemployment Insurance and sick leave benefits expanded during an outbreak of a communicable disease
- HF 4415 - Hourly school employees compensated in event of public health emergency shutdown
- HF 4416 - Health plans required to cover testing, treatment, and quarantine without cost-sharing
- HF 4454 – Ban on price gouging goods and services in time of an emergency
I want to echo the recommendations of public health officials and ask our community to do what they can to prevent the spread of the illness, including frequent, thorough hand washing, covering their cough with their sleeve, and staying home when sick. The Minnesota Department of Health website is a great source of accurate, up-to-date information, and a hotline is available for your questions at 651-201-3920 from 7am-7pm.
If you have any questions about our efforts in the Minnesota House, please feel free to reach out to me at (651) 296-6612, or email me at rep.dan.wolgamott@house.mn. It’s a honor to be your state representative, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Rep. Dan Wolgamott
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Minnesota Legislature
