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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL)

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Minnesota House passes emergency COVID-19 response investments

Wednesday, March 18, 2020
 

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Neighbors and Friends,

Early Tuesday morning, the Minnesota House of Representatives unanimously passed emergency COVID-19 health care funding, which provides $200 million in investments for a health care response fund and Minnesota’s public health response contingency account. Governor Walz has signed the bill into law.

Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will receive $150 million to make grants to eligible providers for costs related to planning for, preparing for, or responding to an outbreak of COVID-19. The bill also includes an additional $50 million for the public health response contingency account.

We also passed a resolution allowing the legislature to adjourn for more than three days. The House and Senate will meet in floor and committee session on an on-call basis through April 14.

We are also working on solutions to many of the problems COVID-19 is presenting. Legislation has been introduced to place a statewide moratorium on evictions as well as provide emergency housing assistance to thousands of Minnesotans who may face housing instability. Other proposals include banning price gouging, delivering assistance for childcare providers, ensuring hourly educators and other school district workers receive compensation, and more.

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Our Local Response

Many of our local cities have put in place guidelines and procedures. Here are some links you can check frequently to keep you informed:

City of Falcon Heights: https://www.falconheights.org/Home/Components/News/News/100/124

City of Lauderdale: https://lauderdalemn.org/

City of Roseville: http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/

City of St. Paul: https://www.stpaul.gov/

Meal Access During the COVID-19 School Closures

Starting today, school bus routes in the St. Paul school district will serve as meal pick-up locations. You can learn more about the details here.

You can check here for information from Roseville Area Schools.

Gov. Walz temporarily closes certain public spaces & improves Minnesota’s unemployment insurance

Gov. Walz ordered the temporary closure of Minnesota restaurants and bars to dine-in customers. He also ordered the temporary closure of other places of public accommodation and amusement, including theaters, museums, fitness centers, and community clubs. Take-out and drive-thru options are still available.

Gov. Walz also strengthened Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to ensure workers who are not able to work as a result of COVID-19 have benefits available. This will allow the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to pay unemployment benefits immediately, providing fast relief to employees who need it. If your employment has been affected by COVID-19 please visit this site

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I recently offered some helpful resources and wanted to send this information to you again today:

INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES

QUESTIONS about school and childcare:

Call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)

Visit www.education.mn.gov 

*Childcare providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268 

QUESTIONS about health:

651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)

Visit www.health.state.mn.us 

QUESTIONS for workers and employers:

651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858 

https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/

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I welcome your questions and comments anytime. You can call me at (651) 296-3824 or send an email at rep.alice.hausman@house.mn.

Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the legislature.

Sincerely,   

Alice

Representative Alice Hausman

453 State Office Building

St. Paul, MN 55155

651-296-3824

rep.alice.hausman@house.mn

Legislative Assistant:

Blake Wilcox 651-296-8803

Committee Assignments:

Chair: Housing Finance and Policy Division

Legacy Finance Division

Transportation Finance and Policy Division

Ways and Means