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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 14, 2020

Saturday, March 14, 2020

Rep. Lillie

 

Dear neighbors, 

Yesterday, Governor Walz urged Minnesotans to follow a new series of recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19. These recommendations include canceling large events and gatherings, keeping a distance between yourself and others, avoiding travel, and more. A full list is available here

Earlier this week, House DFLers introduced a package of bills to prepare for the spread of COVID-19 and provide relief to Minnesotans who are impacted. The bills we’re working on would: 

  • Require health plans to cover all costs of testing, treatment, and quarantine related to COVID-19. 
  • Ban price gouging of necessary goods and services. 
  • Expand unemployment insurance and paid sick leave benefits.  
  • Compensate hourly school workers for days canceled or missed due to COVID-19. 
  • Establish a grant and loan program to ensure health care providers have the resources to respond. 

My colleagues and I will work with the Governor’s Office and the Minnesota Senate to enact these measures quickly. 

We all have a part to play in keeping our neighbors and communities safe. Please take basic precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue. And if you’re feeling sick, stay home. 

As I mentioned in my last email, you can visit www.health.state.mn or call MDH’s public hotline at 651-201-3920 for up-to-date and accurate information about COVID-19. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. 

Please be sure to be careful and look out for one another. I’ll do my best to keep you updated as I receive more information. 

Sincerely, 

Leon Lillie 

State Representative