SAINT PAUL - On Thursday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a package of COVID-19 economic security legislation. The bill, HF 1507, contains provisions for housing assistance, a temporary wage increase for personal care assistants (PCAs), funding to expand broadband access, and small business loans. Rep. Jack Considine (DFL – Mankato) supported the bill, but expressed deep disappointment the rate increase for PCA services wasn’t greater, and is only temporary.
“This bill doesn’t do nearly enough to help the PCAs who are caring for our most vulnerable citizens. In Greater Minnesota, people can still make more money at a fast food restaurant or gas station than these angels taking care of those with disabilities and older adults. This is a disgrace,” Rep. Considine said. “During this pandemic, they are putting their lives on the line by caring for vulnerable clients who are the most likely among us to contract the virus. No one’s life is expendable, and we have to show we value the critical services they provide in our communities.”
The bill includes a 15 percent temporary rate increase for PCA services during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes other program modifications. In addition to the 15 percent rate increase, PCAs can now be paid for 310 hours of services per month, up from 275. The bill also allows a parent or legal guardian of a minor PCA recipient, or a spouse of a PCA recipient, to earn wages for providing PCA services during the peacetime emergency.
The legislation includes $100 million in assistance for Minnesota renters, homeowners, and landlords. In addition to support for rent and mortgages, qualified applicants can receive help paying utility bills and property taxes. The proposal has received broad support, ranging from the Homes for All Coalition, representing 250 Minnesota housing organizations, to the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association, which represents property management companies throughout the state.
HF 1507 invests $15 million in a new Distance Learning Broadband Access Grant Program to provide students with the equipment necessary to access learning materials on the internet and reimburse school districts for costs to provide broadband access. It also invests $10 million in the state’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program to expand high-speed broadband, with the funding targeted to unserved areas. Finally, it invests $2 million in the new Telemedicine Equipment Reimbursement Grant Program to reimburse health care providers and counties that purchase and install telemedicine equipment to provide COVID-19-related health care services.
Finally, the legislation appropriates $55 million to the Small Business Emergency Loan Program at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), which was launched by Executive Order 20-15 from Gov. Walz on March 23. The program’s original $30 million has since been exhausted.