Hello Northlanders,

Much of our focus at the State Capitol has quickly moved toward addressing COVID-19, or the coronavirus. Earlier this week, the House and Senate both unanimously approved legislation to deliver $21 million toward our public health response for COVID-19 and the Governor quickly signed it into law.

The situation is developing rapidly. Today, Governor Walz issued an executive order declaring a peacetime state of emergency and the Minnesota Department of Health has issued guidelines for mitigation strategies, including limits on large gatherings.

Other actions need to be taken and my legislative colleagues announced a package of legislation to further address COVID-19 this week. These strategies include:

• • Requiring health plans to cover all costs of testing, treatment, and quarantine related to COVID-19.
  • Banning price gouging of necessary goods and services during an emergency.
  • Compensating hourly school workers for days canceled or missed due to COVID-19.
  • Clarifying the Governor’s authority to declare public health emergencies as possible peacetime emergencies.
  • Establishing a loan account for health care providers.
  • Expanding unemployment insurance and sick leave benefits during times of emergency.

Our state’s public health officials are working around the clock to address this situation and MDH is working closely with hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities. The House, Senate, and Governor are all in constant communication too, and we’re all committed to taking this seriously to prevent a potential spread.

Here are reminders of simple precautions Minnesotans can take: wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, cover your cough with your sleeve, and stay home if you’re sick. Check-in on friends, family, and neighbors, if they might be vulnerable, too. MDH’s website is a comprehensive resource for information and a hotline at 651-201-3920 is available staffed by public health professionals if you have questions.

Disaster Contingency Funding

In addition to addressing our current public health concern, our state needs the ability to respond to natural disasters, too. Spring flooding is already starting to develop and we need the ability to respond when communities need a hand. 2019 ended with eight state-declared and two federally-declared disasters, and our state needs to be prepared to assist communities when future events occur. Yesterday, the Minnesota House unanimously a measure to invest $30 million in our state’s disaster contingency account. This fund enables emergency response funding to be swiftly delivered in the case of a state or federally-declared natural disaster.

It’s likely we will need to invest more in this fund down the road. When disaster strikes, Minnesotans help one another and I’m proud we were able to enact this legislation in a bipartisan fashion.

Please continue to contact me with your viewpoints, or if I can ever be of assistance. My email is rep.rob.ecklund@house.mn and office phone number is 651-296-2190. I invite you to like my official State Capitol Facebook page too.

It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.

Sincerely,

Rob Ecklund
State Representative