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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mike Sundin (DFL)

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Legislative Update - April 27, 2020

Monday, April 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Last Thursday, Governor Walz announced that distance learning will continue for the remainder of the school year. As a former teacher, it’s evident this is a tremendous personal disappointment for him, as well as parents, teachers, and students across the state. For our high school seniors especially, no matter how much they suspected this was coming, it is tough news. Students without easy access to high-speed broadband will also regrettably continue to experience difficulties. Still, it’s the most responsible step to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and everyone else in our communities. I wish everyone impacted the best as they continue working to adapt to an entirely new system of learning.

Here are some other updates.


Testing Breakthrough

testing breakthrough

Last week, Governor Walz announced a new testing breakthrough has been reached in coordination with the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic, Hennepin Healthcare and other health care providers. This new strategy will drastically increase our COVID-19 testing capacity and the plan aims to test every symptomatic Minnesotan, with as many as 20,000 tests administered per day. This strategy will expand our understanding of how the virus is affecting our population, help us effectively fight the disease, and support the safe re-opening of Minnesota’s economy. Visit the state’s new testing website here.


Unemployment Benefits for Self-Employed Workers

Friday, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) began making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments for self-employed, contract, and other workers who were not previously eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

Here’s what Minnesotans need to know about applying for PUA:

  • If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.
  • If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available here. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA.
    • If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.
  • If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. They expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April.
  • You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by postal mail.
  • Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600/week additional payment.
  • PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.

Additional information, including answers to many commonly asked questions, can be found here: COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors.


Reopening Businesses; What’s Next?

Minnesotans’ commitment to social distancing is working to slow the spread of COVID-19. While it’s been extremely difficult for all of us, it’s saving lives. I know many Minnesotans are anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible, but it’s critically important that we proceed cautiously, and not risk a setback on our progress to contain the disease.

Governor Walz has announced that steps are underway to reopen some businesses in non-critical sectors starting today. This will be a gradual process, starting with workers in non-customer facing industrial and office-based businesses who aren’t able to telework. As testing and health care capacity increases, and positive cases can be isolated, we can continue “turning the dials” to reopen more businesses. More information about this process is available here.

Adjusting the Dials

Workers, businesses, and public health experts will all have to be at the table as decisions are made to ensure Minnesotans can remain safe and healthy. The Department of Employment and Economic Development has created a template plan for employers to use if they wish as they implement procedures ensuring compliance with state and CDC guidelines.


The state COVID-19 Dashboard is a great resource for up-to-date info about our state’s response to the pandemic, and the House website also has a COVID-19 section with links to information and resources. As always, feel free to reach out to me if I can be of help at 651-296-4308 or rep.mike.sundin@house.mn.

It’s an honor to represent you.

Sincerely,

Mike Sundin