Dear Friends,

Issues surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic remain foremost in the minds of lawmakers. The Legislature continues to operate by alternative means but stands ready to assist with the State’s response to the outbreak.

Earlier this week I learned I had been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Following the advice of medical and public health professionals, I am currently staying in self-quarantine for the recommended 14-day period. This is precautionary at this time as I have not experienced any symptoms of the coronavirus disease.

Despite the quarantine, I have remained in constant touch with government leaders at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as business, education, and community leaders, and continue to serve Senate District 44 remotely as we navigate these challenging times.

COVID-19 Response Appropriations

The Senate passed a third COVID-19 response bill on Thursday, allocating an additional $331 million to help Minnesotans withstand the effects of this global pandemic. Thursday’s action establishes a dedicated COVID-19 Minnesota Fund that will be used by the Walz administration to keep Minnesotans safe during this emergency.

Although I am currently in self-quarantine in our home in Plymouth, I was able to vote via phone in favor of the bill as the regular rules of the Senate were suspended so those of us at home due to the pandemic, could do so.

The package includes funding for childcare providers, college students, small businesses, veterans, homeless shelters and food shelves. Previous COVID-19 bills passed by the legislature allocated $221 million in funding for medical needs, bringing the total to $552 million this year to address the Coronavirus pandemic in Minnesota in just the past month.

The COVID-19 Minnesota Fund can only be used for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency as declared by Executive Order 20-01 to maintain operations of government. Examples of increased costs would be additional healthcare and staffing needs in prison facilities, staffing and overtime for direct care and treatment, and resources for activities by the national guard in response to COVID-19, among other expenses incurred by state government.

The bill includes $30 million in Child Care Aware grants during the peacetime emergency. In order to receive a grant, the childcare provider must have a license in good standing or qualify as an emergency provider, must prioritize the children of healthcare and emergency workers, maintain their service during the peacetime emergency, and follow practices that prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Higher learning students have also been impacted by the closures of colleges and universities during the pandemic. Many students’ lives have been upended from campus closures. This bill means students will receive their work study pay and ensure their financial aid won’t be affected by the efforts to mitigate Coronavirus. Temporary powers granted in the bill allow the Commissioner of Higher Education to waive rules and statues for work study, SELF loans, and the state grant program to assist students in financial hardship.

The bill conforms to changes made at the federal level in response to COVID-19.

With small business across the state closing due to the Stay at Home executive order, the bill makes $10 million available to small businesses in loans. The loan program is intended to provide immediate relief to small businesses and independent contractors access to capital to weather the economic crisis from the coronavirus pandemic.

Other provisions in the bill relax the REAL ID requirements, which were already presenting a backlog for Minnesotans, extend by one-month the process to appeal your property tax bill, and make temporary unemployment insurance modifications.

There is also additional funding for homeless shelters, food shelves, and the State Soldier Assistance Program for veterans who are affected by COVID-19.

For full details on the latest COVID-19 Response Bill, Senate File 4451, click here.

Executive Orders

On March 13, Governor Walz signed an Executive Order declaring a peacetime emergency and coordinating Minnesota’s strategy to protect Minnesotans from COVID-19. Once he signed that initial executive order, the decisions to sign additional executive orders and to close down much of commerce and other industries, have been done with his executive authority.

On Wednesday the Governor signed three new executive orders in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• EO 20-18 extends the closure of bars, restaurants, and places of public accommodation through May 1. The original closure period was set to expire March 27.
• EO 20-19 directs schools to implement the distance learning plans they’ve been working on and sets the distance learning period as March 30 – May 1.
• EO 20-20 is the Governor’s stay-at-home order closing many businesses and restricting non-essential travel from 11:59 pm on Friday March 27 until 5:00 pm on Friday April 10.

Earlier today, the Governor signed four new executive orders in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• EO 20-21 clarifies application of Executive Order 20-07 to allow for coverage of employees of Constitutional Officers
• EO 20-22 authorizes the State Auditor to temporarily suspend reporting requirements during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency
• EO 20-23 authorizes the Minnesota Health-Related Licensing Boards to modify requirements during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency
• EO 20-24 Providing for Emergency Relief from regulations to motor carriers and drivers operating in Minnesota

A full list of the Governor’s executive orders relating to the COVID-19 crisis can be found here.

My office has received a lot of questions from local businesses as to whether they’re allowed to keep operating during the stay-at-home order period. For some, we can provide quick and easy answers – hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, bakeries, take-out and delivery from restaurants, liquor stores, gas stations, child care facilities, banks, post offices, hardware stores, funeral homes, insurance agencies, and realtors can all stay operating.

For some the answer is not as simple. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), has released a list of industries allowed to be open/closed based upon the federally standardized North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number. That list can be found here. If you don’t know your NAICS number, search by keyword here.

DEED has also set up a help inbox to help answer additional questions: criticalsectors@state.mn.us

Additionally, the Senate worked with DEED to include an option for businesses to apply for exemption from the order. That option can be foundhere.

The situation is developing rapidly, and I understand that businesses and individuals may still have questions. Please use these resources and don’t hesitate to contact my office with any issues or concerns you may still have.

Federal Relief Package

The United States Congress has passed a historic $2 trillion relief package aimed at easing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. President Trump signed the legislation into law today.

The package includes a major expansion of unemployment insurance benefits. The bill increases the maximum unemployment benefit by $600 per week, and most laid-off-workers will receive their full pay for four months.

Also included are direct payments for working Americans. Individuals making up to $75,000 will receive a one-time payment of $1,200 and an additional $500 per child. This includes individuals with little to no income tax liability.

The relief package contains a series of provisions aimed at helping businesses who have been negatively impacted by the crisis. Among those are:

• $367 billion in federally guaranteed loans for small businesses. Employers who continue to pay their workers for the duration of the crisis would be eligible to have loans forgiven.
• $500 billion for a major corporate loans through the Federal Reserve

Companies that accept money through the program are required to halt stock buybacks for the length of the government assistance plus an additional year.

Additional Resources

The Minnesota Department of Health has an excellent webpage established to provide updates and guidance for Minnesotan’s on the COVID-19 situation. That can be found here.

In addition to the federal small business disaster loan program, DEED has established a program to issue interest free loans to certain businesses that have been forced to close due to the outbreak. You can determine eligibility and apply here.

Due to the exceedingly high volume of applications, DEED is encouraging those seeking unemployment benefits to apply online to decrease wait times. Additional information and the online application can be found here.

Closing Thoughts 

Thanks for reading this week’s update. Please follow the advice from the experts.

You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you:

-Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub

-Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze

-Avoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell

-Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell

Don’t:

-Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean

These are challenging times for everyone, but we will get through this together.

As always, please reach out to my office if I can be helpful to you or your family.

I along with my staff may be working remotely, but you can reach me with your concerns and questions at 651-296-9261.

Voicemails will be checked regularly during business hours. You can also send me an email at sen.paul.anderson@senate.mn.

Be safe, be well, stay home, and if you can and are able… please support our local restaurants (curbside takeout) and businesses if at all possible – they need our support now, more than ever.

Sincerely,

Paul T. Anderson
State Senator