Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Steve Sandell (DFL)

Back to profile

Legislative Update - April 22, 2020

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Dear neighbors,

I hope each of you will be safe and healthy as this difficult spring continues. I know uncertainty and unanticipated sacrifice in many lives has been difficult. I hope the work we’re doing at the legislature is helping, that the Governor and his administration are providing the direction and support you expect, and that the actions we take together will protect public health and lead to a sound economy again soon.

Our lives have changed - significantly for many of us. Our job as public officials is to assess the challenges we face, evaluate the resources available, make decisions to manage this crisis, and restore opportunities the future can promise. I hope you think we’re on the right course.


Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

The cost of insulin has skyrocketed in the past 10 years, forcing thousands of Minnesotans to ration the lifesaving medication. Last week, the Minnesota House and Senate passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, a groundbreaking bill to help people with diabetes get the insulin they need at a price they can afford.

This legislation – which is named after a young man who lost his life because he couldn’t afford insulin – ensures that people who are in urgent need of insulin can access an emergency 30-day supply at their pharmacy for a co-pay of $35. It also includes measures to help Minnesotans who need long-term assistance. You can read more about it here.


Workers’ Compensation Benefits

First responders and health care workers put themselves at risk every day to keep Minnesotans safe and healthy. They deserve to know we have their backs. We recently passed a major bill to ensure nurses, firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and other frontline workers are covered by workers’ compensation. If these individuals contract COVID-19, workers’ comp benefits will help them focus on getting healthy instead of worrying about how they’re going to provide for their family. More information about this legislation is available here.


COVID-19 Response Legislation

Last week, we approved legislation to provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the pandemic. Our fourth COVID-19 response bill allows local governments to meet remotely, suspends certain deadlines and expiration dates, expands use of telemedicine, gives the Department of Health authority to set up alternative health care facilities, and more. Details are available here.


Takeout Beer and Wine

We also passed legislation that allows restaurants to sell beer and wine with takeout orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to this bill, Minnesotans can continue supporting their favorite local places, and it will be easier for restaurants to stay in business, preserve jobs, and serve customers safely. We are committed to finding ways to get our economy up and running without putting Minnesotans’ lives at risk, and this was a good first step. You can find more information here.


Unemployment Benefits

Many Minnesotans are displaced from their jobs and experiencing significant economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If your employment has been impacted, you can learn more about Unemployment Insurance and apply here.

Minnesota was one of the first states in the nation to implement the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which provides a 13-week extension of Unemployment Insurance benefits for eligible workers. If you’ve exhausted or will soon exhaust your unemployment benefits, you can find step-by-step instructions to apply for the extended benefits here or within your online account.

Minnesota was also one of the first states to deliver additional weekly payments to people receiving unemployment benefits. As a result, Minnesotans will receive an additional $600 for every week they remain eligible. You can read more about these payments here.

Thanks to a new federal program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), unemployment benefits will soon be available for self-employed and contract workers. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is working with the U.S. Labor Department to get a new system up and running so these payments can be made. In the meantime, these workers should follow the steps outlined here to apply for Unemployment Insurance here. The UI system will likely deny your application, but DEED will flag your account and follow up with you when the PUA program is ready at the end of April.


Helpful Information and Resources

Governor Walz recently launched a new COVID-19 dashboard to track the spread of the virus and help Minnesotans find information and resources. The dashboard, which is updated daily, also provides data about available ventilators, ICU beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing. You can view the dashboard here.

The Minnesota Department of Health’s website, linked here, is another great source for accurate and up-to-date information. I encourage you to check out mental health resources, available here, as well as those dedicated to physical health.


Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance during this challenging time. You can reach me by email at rep.steve.sandell@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-1147.

Sincerely,

Steve Sandell
State Representative