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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Raymond Dehn (DFL)

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Legislative Update - March 20, 2020

Friday, March 20, 2020

Rep. Dehn

Dear Neighbors, 

 

These continue to be challenging and difficult times as we work to address the COVID-19 global pandemic, but I take solace in the ways I’ve seen our community and state band together to combat this virus. Major changes have been occurring in quick succession, and there are several important updates and new forms of information to share. 

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. This is just the latest in our efforts to legislate for COVID-19, with more to follow. 

 

Minneapolis School District information

Comprehensive information and resources from the Minneapolis School District can be found here.

 

City of Minneapolis Information

The City of Minneapolis has information about its response to the COVID-19 virus. Check here for updates and details

 

Governor temporarily closes certain public spaces & improves Minnesota’s unemployment insurance

Gov. Walz has 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. The Executive Order 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.

 

Minnesota Department of Health resources

A reminder that the best source of accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19 in the state is the Minnesota Department of Health, who just released several informational documents on the coronavirus in various languages:

COVID-19 in Amharic (PDF)

COVID-19 in Arabic (PDF)

COVID-19 in Chinese (PDF)

COVID-19 in Hmong (PDF)

COVID-19 in Karen (PDF)

COVID-19 in Russian (PDF)

COVID-19 in Somali (PDF)

COVID-19 in Spanish (PDF)

COVID-19 in Vietnamese (PDF)  

 

MDH has also set up non-English versions of its coronavirus website. A full list of available languages and links to each page is available below. 

Spanish: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/spanish.html 

Somali: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/somali.html 

Hmong: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/hmong.html 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES

QUESTIONS about school and childcare:

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

Visit www.education.mn.gov 

*Child care 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/

 

Keeping our Communities Healthy

Please implement and share these recommendations to keep our communities healthy:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
  • Stay home when sick;
  • Implement social distancing, keeping 6 feet away from others under most circumstances;
  • Encourage staff to telework when feasible;
  • Cancel or postpone large events in excess of 250 people gathered together;
  • Limit gatherings with participants at high risk for severe disease to less than 10 people.

 

There have also be several scams aimed at taking advantage of the confusion as things evolve quickly. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has resources available for identifying and reporting scams, which you can find here

If you have any questions about our work in the Minnesota House, please feel free to contact my office at (651) 296-8659, or at rep.raymond.dehn@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Raymond Dehn