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 […]
Walz stay-at-home order to Minnesotans takes effect tonight, Repubs hope it doesn’t last long
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 […]
State lawmakers back at MN Capitol to pass COVID response legislation
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 […]
Minnesota business leaders say Walz stay-at-home order appropriate at this time
Leaders of Minnesota’s business community generally have good things to say about the stay-at-home order issued by Governor Tim Walz. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce President Doug Loon says he appreciates that it’s of short duration with “a robust list of exceptions.” Loon says, “It creates a balance, and… we want to emphasize that we need […]
Gov. Walz issues stay-at-home order, Saturday thru April 10th
Governor Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to stay at home from first thing Saturday morning through April 10th to “give Minnesota time to ready for battle” against the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor says testing wasn’t in place soon enough to “flatten the curve”, and Walz says the goal now is to slow down the rate […]
Lawmakers could return to State Capitol to pass COVID response bill
Legislative leaders are thinking about briefly calling lawmakers back to the State Capitol from their extended recess which was prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. “A Thursday possible session where we can vote on a package of responses to COVID-19,” says Democratic Representative Jennifer Schultz from Duluth. Republican Senator Scott Jensen from Chaska says, “Governor Walz […]
Walz asking Minnesotans to report COVID-related price-gouging, discrimination
Governor Tim Walz is asking Minnesotans to report price-gouging to the state attorney general’s office — and to notify the state Human Rights Department about incidents of discrimination related to the COVID pandemic. Walz says, “To our Asian-American Minnesotans who are being unfairly targeted in certain situations…, we need to lift up and make sure […]
Emergency biz loan program to accept applications by week’s end, 149K+ unemployment applications in MN
State Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove says they expect to start accepting applications by week’s end for emergency small business loans authorized by Governor Tim Walz’s executive order. Grove says, “Half of all Minnesotans work for a small business, so this is a critical support line that we’re eager to get moving […]
Gov. Walz hesistant to give shelter-in-place order, says may be better way to combat COVID-19
Governor Tim Walz is hesitant to issue a shelter-in-place order for Minnesota, arguing there may be a smarter way to combat COVID-19 than keeping everyone in their homes. Walz is banking that closures and social-distancing measures already in place will spread out COVID cases so hospitals are not overwhelmed, and asks Minnesotans to continue their […]
Walz says bar, restaurant closures will continue in MN, schools possible also
“There is going to be an extension around that, “Governor Tim Walz said today about his now one-week-old order closing bars and restaurants in Minnesota because of COVID-19. And for how long could that closure order continue? “Can’t be indefinite, but what I don’t want to set things up for is that, I can’t tell […]