Minnesota News Network

A 300-million-dollar COVID response package is on its way to the desk of Governor Tim Walz after the Minnesota House and Senate passed it Thursday. Duluth Democrat Erik Simonson objects it doesn’t help law enforcement and first responders, who can’t shelter at home and if they come down with COVID-19, could be forced to use up their sick time and health insurance. Simonson told fellow lawmakers, “These are unprecedented times, members, and I don’t know — I cannot figure out for the life of me — why we ignored these folks.” Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka responds the measure didn’t have the nod from the trades and the business community on the Workers Compensation Council. “Both of those sides had to agree, and the fact that they did not support this led me to believe that we shouldn’t be doing it,” Gazelka says.

Republicans in the Senate say the COVID relief package doesn’t do enough to help small businesses. “They’re working on the margins to begin with and then, when we’re shutting ’em down, they’re not gonna be coming back,” says East Grand Forks Senator Mark Johnson. Saint Cloud Senator Jerry Relph says the business loans in the current package only help “restaurants, public gatherings and some of the service providers such as cosmetologists, barbers, etc. This bill needs to go far, far beyond those narrow businesses.”

Senate Majority Leader Gazelka says of the nearly 600 million dollars the legislature has appropriated so far for COVID-19 relief, only 30 to 40 million is for small businesses. “In the next phase moving forward, that is an area that I expect some help. Again, all of us working together, what can we do to make sure that these small businesses make it through this tough time,” Gazelka says.

Governor Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order to Minnesotans takes effect at midnight tonight (Fri 11:59pm) and top Republicans say they hope it’s in effect for as little time as possible. Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says the governor has the power to make that emergency declaration, however, “I’m also asking him to weigh heavily the consequences to all of the jobs out there, the job creators, and what’s gonna happen — are those jobs still gonna be there after.”

Gazelka says Minnesotans understand what’s necessary to slow the spread of coronavirus and he’s encouraging the governor to lift the stay-at-home order as soon as he can. Walz is banking that a two-week stay-at-home order will slow the spread of COVID, so the state has time to marshall more hospital beds and medical supplies before cases begin to peak in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is confirming the state’s 2nd death from COVID-19. There are 346 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state. As of today, 31 people are hospitalized with coronavirus in Minnesota–that’s up from 26 yesterday. At least 12,950 COVID-19 tests have been completed. MDH issued this statement today acknowledging the state’s second confirmed death from COVID-19: We are saddened to report that a second Minnesotan has died from a confirmed case of COVID-19. As with the first death announced March 21, this second death involved a resident of Ramsey County in their 80s. Officials are expected to provide more information during a 2 pm media briefing call.

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon is considering voting options to safeguard Minnesota’s upcoming elections amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. Simon says “every day now I hear from Minnesotans who wonder how or even if we’re going to be voting in elections later this year. It’s a very high-stakes year obviously, and my answer is clear, the 2020 statewide elections in Minnesota must go on as scheduled.” Simons says there’s “no doubt in my mind that an election held during a pandemic will have to rely a lot more on a strong push in participation by mail.” Simon says with any significant changes there are many costs to consider–and would take months of planning. Click here for a link to Simon’s video message on voting considerations.

Lawmakers are temporarily back at the State Capitol today for floor sessions to pass emergency legislation in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Governor Tim Walz has asked for an additional 356 million dollars, over and above the 200 million that lawmakers approved earlier before they returned to their districts when the coronavirus pandemic started gaining a foothold in Minnesota. The governor’s plan includes money to assist child care centers, food shelves, homeless shelters and veterans. It would also set up a 200-million-dollar fund that state agencies could use as they deem appropriate to combat COVID-19 and lessen its effect on Minnesotans. Lawmakers have been assembling their plans remotely and getting input electronically from constituents.