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Dear Neighbors,
The COVID-19 pandemic is evolving rapidly. Early Tuesday morning, my House and Senate colleagues and I unanimously passed a $200 million package of investments in our public health response. The legislation helps ensure hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers are equipped to deliver care to Minnesotans who may become afflicted with COVID-19. Governor Walz promptly signed the bill into law the following day.
As you have likely heard, Governor Walz has issued a series of executive orders to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19 and plan for a spread of the virus, starting with the declaration of a peacetime emergency. He declared all schools be closed statewide until March 27 to plan for a safe education environment for every student and educator. He also declared a temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and most other gathering places. Many Minnesotans – workers and business owners alike – are experiencing a deep and sudden financial hardship as a result of these closures. To address these, the Governor issued an executive order to provide for immediate payment of unemployment insurance benefits.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance, visit http://www.uimn.org.
Yesterday, Gov. Walz announced that businesses will have a one-month interest and penalty-free grace period on the deadline to file sales taxes, which will help alleviate financial strain businesses are facing from COVID-19. Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and community. If you’re a small business owner, or know someone who is an employer, please review and share the resources below from the Minnesota Department of Economic Development:
Questions for workers and employers:
651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858
Visit https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/.
BREAKING:
As I am writing, Governor Walz today signed three more Executive Orders today that ban price gouging in Minnesota and ensure that critical services continue for our state’s most vulnerable. He also announced that MNsure is holding a special enrollment period to ensure Minnesotans can access health coverage during the COVID-19 crisis. He announced a partnership with the YMCA to provide care for the school-age children of emergency workers. He also announced that the state of Minnesota is entering an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the prevention, response, and recovery efforts around this pandemic.
You can find a list of the Governor’s issued Executive Orders here.
AARP TELE-TOWN HALLS
I thought you may be interested to know that AARP will host a weekly live Coronavirus Information Tele-Town Hall on Thursdays at 12 p.m. (CST). Government officials will answer your questions about avoiding coronavirus scams and provide resources for family caregivers. Call toll-free 855-274-9507 to join the live event. You can also join the conversation online here.
We’re experiencing a number of challenges, and there are more likely to come in the days ahead. Even so, we are confident in Minnesotans’ ability to do what we need to do and help each other make it through. Minnesotans care about one another, and we help each other out in tough times.
Please contact me any time if you need help or have any questions. I can be reached at 651-296-5510 or by email at rep.connie.bernardy@house.mn. To follow current updates and information please go to my Legislative Facebook page at /RepConnieBernardyMN to like and follow.
Warm regards,
Connie Bernardy
State Representative
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