St. Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota House approved legislation appropriating over $841 million in emergency funding to counties, cities, and townships from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The bill also contains a series of other important investments in Minnesotans’ health and economic wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, such as a temporary wage increase for personal care assistants (PCAs), a provision authored by Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL - Northfield).
“With our local governments facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation allocates federal dollars to provide emergency funding to our community to ensure that sorely needed services may continue as we weather this storm,” said Rep. Lippert. “Minnesota’s PCAs have long provided an essential service that has not been fairly compensated. Though a permanent increase is needed, the compromise of a temporary wage increase will ensure that these care providers receive additional support during a time where their clientele are among some of the hardest hit by this pandemic. These are the Minnesotans that care for us, and we in turn should provide the support they need.”
In addition to the wage increase for PCAs, the legislation also helps Minnesotans navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by providing assistance for low-income families and children, preventing veteran suicide and homelessness, increasing funding for child care assistance, and more.
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