Small businesses ordered closed in Minnesota because of COVID-19 will soon be able to apply for emergency loans between 25-hundred and 35-thousand dollars, under a program Governor Tim Walz just set up with 30 million dollars in special funds. The governor says, “I’m not sure any state has moved on this, but I can’t wait […]
Walz says it may become necessary to keep schools closed through rest of academic year
Could Minnesota schools stay closed for the rest of the academic year, as the governor of Virginia ordered in that state? Governor Tim Walz says, “As the situation evolves, it may need to become necessary to do that.” Walz says he’s trying to project forward as much as possible because uncertainty is what’s stressful for […]
State income tax filing deadline pushed back to July 15th
State officials have pushed the Minnesota income tax filing deadline back three months to July 15th, matching an earlier decision by the federal government. Governor Tim Walz says, “I made this decision because it’s the right thing for Minnesotans… but I also ask Minnesotans to understand, this has ramifications on some of the resources that […]
Gov. Walz orders moratorium on renter evictions in Minnesota
Governor Tim Walz has ordered a moratorium on eviction proceedings against those who don’t pay their rent, citing economic effects of COVID-19. “We can’t make this worse,” Walz says. “We can’t [put] people out in the streets. This will not do anything in terms of stopping the spread of this, and of course it will […]
Gov. Walz not yet ready to issue shelter-in-place order for MN
Governor Tim Walz is holding back on a shelter-in-place order, despite action by a number of other states including Wisconsin that are trying to control COVID-19. “Forty to 80 percent of us will eventually get this, even if we shut it down now,” he says. The governor says he wants more information on how effective […]
Serious blood shortage, officials asking healthy Minnesotans to donate
State health officials say there’s a desperate need for blood because many blood drives have been canceled due to COVID-19. The Health Department’s Kris Ehresmann reassures potential donors, “There’s not a danger in donating blood and the blood banks have taken steps to ensure that it’s possible to donate blood and maintain social distancing.” Ehresmann […]
State health officials ask Minnesotans with dental emergencies *not* to go to E-R
State officials say because of COVID-19 restrictions, many people with dental emergencies are going to E-R, and Health Department spokeswoman Kris Ehresmann has an urgent plea: “In an effort to keep people from overloading emergency departments and urgent care, if you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact your dentist,” she says. The Health Department […]
COVID-19 Update
Minnesota now has 169 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Sun), up from 137 the day before. Ten people are currently hospitalized — five in intensive care — and there has been one death. State Health Department’s Kris Ehresman says, “We are seeing more household clusters and an increase in individuals whose source of exposure is community […]
Walz postpones State of the State address, citing COVID pandemic
Governor Tim Walz is postponing his State of the State address — originally set for tomorrow night (Mon) — to a date yet-to-be-determined. The decision comes as the COVID pandemic tightens its grip on Minnesota. Hamline University analyst David Schultz says a few weeks ago, conversations at the Capitol were about a bonding bill, Republicans’ […]
Top analyst predicts CODIV crisis will turn MN budget surplus into deficit
A top Minnesota political analyst warns economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic could turn the state budget surplus into a sea of red ink. Hamline University’s David Schultz says the latest forecast which came out in late February predicted a 1.5-billion-dollar budget surplus, assuming no major changes in the economy. But Schultz says now “we’re […]