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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jack Considine Jr. (DFL)

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Legislative Update – April 28, 2020

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you and your family are doing well and staying safe during this tumultuous time. Last week, Governor Walz announced that distance learning will continue for the remainder of the school year. This was a difficult decision for him personally, and he recognizes the difficulties this poses for students, teachers, and parents. We know though – especially as a former teacher at Mankato West – that he and his administration are committed to delivering the resources to help educators connect with students and to support families.

One of the biggest challenges students in Greater Minnesota face is a lack of access to high-speed broadband. My House colleagues and I are pushing to increase vital investments in broadband development, with $8 million to help schools ensure students can have the access they need to continue their studies.

New 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.

Businesses Reopening: Next Steps

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.

Adjusting the Dials

Governor Walz has announced that steps are underway to reopen some businesses in non-critical sectors and starting yesterday, workers in non-customer facing industrial and office-based businesses who aren’t able to telework could start returning to the job. We can continue “turning the dials” to reopen more businesses gradually as testing can be increased, positive cases can be isolated, and health care capacity increases. More information about this process is available here.

Continue to check the state’s COVID-19 Dashboard for the latest accurate, up-to-date information about the pandemic as well as our state’s response. Also, the Minnesota House website’s COVID-19 section has information about legislative actions to date, as well as links to helpful resources. If I can be of help in any way, contact me at rep.jack.considine@house.mn or call me at 651-296-3248.

Sincerely,

Jack Considine
State Representative

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