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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL)

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COVID-19 Testing News, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Friday, April 24, 2020
 

Rep. Noor

Neighbors,

This week, Governor Walz announced agreements with the University of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic and Hennepin Healthcare to make available rapid, widespread testing of COVID-19. This will greatly increase the number of Minnesotans who can be tested – possibly up to as many as 20,000 each day.

We are grateful for the steady leadership of Governor Walz in partnership with some of the best scientific and public health professionals in the country and world.  You can read more about this announcement here.

testing breakthrough

Stay at Home Order stays in effect until May 4, Distance Learning continues 

This week, Governor Walz announced the continuation of the Stay at Home order until May 4, with ability for some Minnesotans to return to work.  In addition, students will continue distance learning through the end of the school year. You can learn more about all the Governor’s Executive Orders here. 

Adjusting the Dials

grph2

Executive Order 20-40 will allow 80,000-100,000 Minnesotans to return to work in industrial, manufacturing, and office settings on Monday, April 27.?? 

Prior to loosening restrictions for a given setting, businesses must: 

  • Create, share, and implement a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that sets out the actions they are taking to ensure social distancing, worker hygiene, and facility cleaning and disinfection necessary to keep workers safe 
  • Engage in health screening of employees and ensure that sick employees stay home
  • Continue to work from home whenever possible

Executive Order 20-41 continues distance learning through the end of the school year. 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the agency has begun making PUA payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits. You can learn more about PUA here.

pua

50th anniversary of Earth Day

We celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day this week, and although we have made progress, we have more work to do to improve our air and water quality.

I am a member of the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus (CAC), and this week, three of my legislative colleagues spoke with former Vice President Walter Mondale about the origins of Earth Day. Vice President Mondale was serving as one of our U.S. Senators when Congress established Earth Day in 1970. A recording of the conversation is available here.

Earth Day

Additional information about the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus is available on the caucus’s website.

Committee Action this week

The Minnesota House Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division held a remote hearing on House File 1507, which provides an additional $55 million for the state’s Small Business Emergency Loan Program. You can view the hearing on the House Public Information YouTube channel.

On Thursday, the Minnesota House Health and Human Services Finance Division held an informational hearing to discuss Minnesota’s breakthrough strategy to drastically increase COVID-19 testing capacity. The plan allows for up to 20,000 tests daily, and the increased capacity will help health officials control the pandemic and support the safe re-opening of Minnesota’s economy. You can watch the committee here.

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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
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