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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Laurie Halverson (DFL)

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Legislative Update - Action on COVID-19

Friday, April 3, 2020

Rep. Halverson

Dear neighbors, 

Legislators are working day and night to deal with a myriad of issues that are facing the people of Minnesota. Last week, we passed a package of legislation to protect the health and economic well-being of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our latest bill will create a state COVID-19 emergency fund, help small businesses across the state, provide grants for child care providers who care for the children of emergency workers, support food shelves, and protect people experiencing homelessness. More details are available here.

This legislation will help alleviate some of the challenges that Minnesotans are facing, but there are more issues we’ll need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. We’ll continue working on other important measures, such as securing pay for hourly school workers and workers compensation for first responders.


Executive Action

Governor Walz has issued a series of executive orders to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it has created. A complete list of orders he has signed is available here. More details about some of the notable orders are below.  


Stay at Home

Governor Walz’s stay at home order took effect last Friday and is scheduled to last until Friday, April 10. This order directs Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movement outside their homes.

Stay at Home

You can still leave your home to buy groceries, seek medical care, exercise outside, and perform other necessary activities. Please keep a six-foot distance between yourself and others while doing so. Additional information about the stay at home order, including a list of acceptable activities and exemptions, is available here.


Distance Learning for Minnesota Students

The first week of distance learning is coming to an end. Many thanks to the teachers, students, and families who are taking on this new challenge!

Minnesota schools are still providing meals to students in need, mental health services, and care for elementary-age children of health care professionals, first responders, and emergency workers. If you live in ISD 191, click here for information about meals, child care, and other resources for students and their families. Click here to see similar information for ISD 196 residents. If you live in ISD 197, click here for information.


Support for Minnesota Workers

Minnesota restaurants and other gathering places will remain closed until May 1. In an effort to support the many Minnesotans affected by these closures, Governor Walz signed an executive order to strengthen Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and ensure that people who aren’t able to work have benefits available. If your employment has been impacted by COVID-19, you can apply for Unemployment Insurance at uimn.org.


Assistance for Small Businesses

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) created a Small Business Emergency Loan program to help small businesses affected by COVID-19. The new program will offer interest-free loans between $2,500 and $35,000. Small businesses can apply here.

Minnesota small businesses and non-profits are eligible for loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as well. The federal agency is accepting applications for low-interest loans of up to $2 million. More information about the loan program and how to apply is available here.

Different programs make sense for different businesses, so DEED recently released a guide that details all of the available state and federal assistance. This information can help small businesses determine which programs might work for them. The guide can be found here.


MNsure Special Enrollment Period

All Minnesotans deserve access to health care, particularly in these challenging times. MNsure recently launched a special enrollment period for Minnesotans who are currently without insurance. The special enrollment period began on March 23 and runs through April 21, giving qualified individuals 30 days to enroll in health coverage through MNsure.org. You can call 651-539-2009 or 855-366-7873 with questions or click here to get free help from a MNsure expert assister.


Eviction Moratorium

Last week, Governor Walz announced he was suspending all evictions due to failure to pay rent starting on March 24. All foreclosure proceedings and related evictions will be halted as well. While this executive order doesn’t cancel rent or mortgage payments, it ensures that Minnesotans can remain in their homes if they aren’t able to meet these obligations.


Tax Filing Deadline Extended

The Minnesota Department of Revenue recently announced that the state income tax filing deadline has been extended. Minnesotans now have until July 15 to file their returns without any penalties or interest. The deadline for filing federal tax returns was pushed back to July 15 as well. More information is available here.


What Minnesotans Can Do

We all have a part to play in keeping our neighbors and communities safe. Please stay home except for essential needs and follow public health guidelines. A comprehensive list of recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is available here. It bears repeating that you should take basic precautions like washing your hands thoroughly and frequently and covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.

Individuals can also donate to organizations that help Eagan residents access necessary items, such as food for themselves and their families. The Open Door Food Pantry has seen an increase in families seeking their help. More information about The Open Door is available here.

If you’re able, please consider supporting a local restaurant or small business this week. Many restaurants are still offering delivery, takeout, or curbside pick-up.


Helpful Information and Resources

The Minnesota Department of Health is the best source for accurate, up-to-date information about COVID-19. Their website, www.health.state.mn.us, has information available in HmongSpanish, and Somali. You can find information in several other languages in PDF format here. You can also call their public hotline at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903. The hotline is open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.

This afternoon, Governor Walz unveiled a new COVID-19 dashboard that tracks the spread of the virus and provides the latest data on available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment, and testing. The dashboard, which will be updated daily, can be found here.

If you have questions about school and child care, you can visit www.education.mn.gov or call a public hotline at 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504. Child care providers with questions related to COVID-19 should call 1-888-234-1268.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has resources for workers and employers. Visit www.mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/ to learn more or call 651-259-7114 or 1-800-657-3858.

A list of additional resources is available here. I encourage you to utilize these resources and share them with family, friends, and neighbors. Please feel free to contact me if you are having trouble finding answers to your questions, or if I can be of assistance. The best way to get in touch with me is by email at rep.laurie.halverson@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-4128.

Sincerely,

Laurie Halverson
State Representative