Legislative Update- April 9, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

I hope this finds you and yours well. A lot has been happening at the legislative and executive level and I’d like to fill you in.

Here’s an update from St. Paul (Deephaven):

Securing Workers’ Compensation for First Responders

On Tuesday, the Legislature passed legislation delivering workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers who contract COVID-19 in the line of duty. In particular, the legislation provides a presumption that if these workers contract COVID, they did so during the course of their employment and are covered by workers’ comp. Front-line workers covered in the bill include doctors and nurses, firefighters, paramedics, police, long-term care workers, home health workers, correctional officers, and child care providers. You can read my full statement here.

Insulin Affordability Deal

I’m pleased to share that a bipartisan agreement has been reached on the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act! Members in the House and Senate officially passed the legislation through our virtual conference committee process yesterday. It has been an honor to serve on this committee and work to find solutions with fellow legislators on both sides of the aisle.

I have so much gratitude and admiration for Nicole Smith-Holt for her tireless advocacy for people with insulin-dependent diabetes. This new law (which will hopefully be formalized next week) will honor her late son Alec, who died because he was forced to ration the insulin he needed to survive. You can read more about the bill here.

House Bill Author Michael Howard convenes the virtual conference committee.

Nicole Smith-Holt provides testimony in support of the proposal.

Guidance for Additional $600 UI Payments

I've received many questions about the additional $600 payments in unemployment insurance from the federal government. Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has received final guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor to be one of the first states to make these payments. Click here to learn more about what this means for Minnesotans.

COVID-19 Financial Assistance for Veterans

This week, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota veterans and surviving spouses impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for one-time financial relief grants in the amount of $1,000 from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA). MDVA is now accepting applications from Minnesota veterans who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out how to apply here.

Stay at Home Order Extended

Governor Walz yesterday announced that the Stay at Home order that went into effect on March 27 is being extended to 11:59 p.m. on May 3, 2020. Click here for answers to frequently asked questions about what this means for you, your business, and your family. 

Minnesota is rising to the challenge and following public health guidelines -- and it’s making a big difference in preventing and slowing the spread of the virus. This extension will also allow Minnesota to build new hospital capacity and buy ventilators and masks, plan for how to protect those most at risk, expand testing, and free up time for health care giants like the Mayo Clinic to develop critical treatments for the virus. Thank you!

Keep in Touch

Wishing you and your family a happy Passover or Easter this weekend. Please contact me anytime with questions, or to let me know how I can be of assistance.

I am honored to serve our communities at the state legislature.

Take good care,

Kelly