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More help for the unemployed
I am vice chair for Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division, and we received some welcome news this week. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) received final guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor to be one of the first states to make $600 additional compensation payments to people receiving unemployment benefits. These payments were authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law on March 27, 2020.
Those currently receiving Minnesota unemployment benefits will qualify for the $600 additional compensation and will continue to receive their regular unemployment benefit.
Learn more here. There is also a great FAQ page here.
Stay at Home extended
This week, Governor Walz extended the Stay at Home Executive Order until May 4. This has been a difficult time as we navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you all for staying home, staying safe and protecting your loved ones and neighbors. Click here to read about the newest stay at home directive and all Executive Orders signed by Gov. Walz.
Visit https://mn.gov/covid19/faq for answers to frequently asked questions about what this could mean for you, your business, and your family.
Helping our first responders
Following the Minnesota Department of Health social distancing guidelines, we met this week to approve a measure to deliver workers’ compensation benefits to health care and public safety workers. These front-line workers are here for us in a crisis, and now we are making sure they have some help financially should they contract COVID-19 in the line of duty.
The bill can be found here, and a video recording of the House floor session can be found on the House Public Information YouTube page. Read my statement here.
U.S. Senators Klobuchar and Smith announce COVID-19 housing funds for MN
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith have announced $47 million in grants will be coming to Minnesota to meet the housing needs of those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the grants, which Congress made available through the CARES Act. The grants are meant to help low-income families and other vulnerable citizens. You can read more here.
Remote Committees
This week, the House Judiciary and Civil Law Division, of which I am a member, held a remote hearing this week to discuss several proposals related to the court system during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the committee’s first hearing conducted via video conference.
The division discussed and approved three bills. HF 1197, contains a proposal from the Minnesota Judicial Branch to temporarily suspend statutory deadlines in district and appellate courts. HF 1196, provides a “harmless error” exception which will remove barriers toward proper execution of a will. HF 798, contains a request from district court and county officials to delay child support cost-of-living adjustments. The committee also discussed a bipartisan proposal to allow for marriage license applications during the peacetime emergency without appearing in person.
Video of the hearing is available on House Public Information Services’ YouTube channel.
Governor Walz delivers State of the State
Governor Walz delivered his State of the State address to Minnesota on Sunday via video from the Governor’s Residence. The governor spoke of the resiliency of Minnesotans as we face COVID-19 challenges.
A recording of the governor’s address is available . A state COVID-19 dashboard of data and resources is available here. Click here to read my statement.
Disaster Declaration
A major disaster been declared by the president for the State of Minnesota, granting a request made by Gov. Walz. Minnesota will now be offered federal assistance to help mitigate the pandemic’s impact on public health, unemployment and more.
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Please continue to reach out with any input, ideas, or feedback about the issues important to you. I value hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to call or email me any time. You can also connect with me on Facebook. It’s an honor to represent you at the State Capitol.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mohamud Noor
State Representative
Rep.Mohamud.Noor@house.mn or 651-296-4257
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