SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a package of legislation to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions. The text of the legislation can be found here. Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) supported the bill.
“Lawmakers have been working hard to reach a bipartisan consensus on these solutions, and I’m proud members of both parties came together to pass it during these extraordinarily challenging times,” Rep. Ecklund said. “I’m particularly glad the legislation recognizes the service of our state’s armed forces in addressing this crisis, including members of the Minnesota National Guard, with investments in the State Soldiers’ Assistance Fund. There is a long road ahead of us to overcome this pandemic, but Minnesotans are resilient. With the leadership of Governor Walz and service from dedicated health care workers and first responders, I’m confident we can prevail.”
The legislation approved today includes, among other things, $200 million toward the newly created state COVID-19 Fund, $9 million to the Department of Human Services for food security, $26.5 million for the Emergency Service Grants program to provide shelter for Minnesota’s homeless population, $30 million in one-time grants to child care providers, $10 million for small business loans, financial relief for Minnesota’s workers, and the necessary flexibility for state agencies to respond to the pandemic.
Additional information on the Minnesota House’s efforts to address COVID-19 can be found here.