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.