DAILY UPDATE FROM ST. PAUL
April 3, 2020
Dear Friends, I hope you are healthy and at home.
Although I am not working at the Capitol right now, I am still working for you from the district.
This week I was appointed to be part of the Senate COVID 19 Response Working Group. We held our first two “public meetings” via tele-conferencing and Facebook. Details are added below. I also held two local tele-conference meetings this week. One with our local officials and the other with business owners in SD 38. We were able to share ideas, challenges and solutions on the ever-changing needs in our communities during this time. I expect we will have more of these over the next few months.
Stay well and we will get through this together!
You can reach me by phone (651.296.1253) or email.
UPDATE ON CHILD CARE GRANTS
Last week’s COVID-19 response bill included almost $30 million for emergency child-care grants. The grants will be administered by Child Care Aware Minnesota. Information on the eligibility requirements, grant awards, and the application process can be found on Child Care Aware Minnesota’s website.
The application form can be found online here.
Providers can begin applying at this time. Applications are due April 15th and applicants will be notified of their grant aware or denial on April 20th.
Families and providers can find the latest information and resources regarding childcare here.
Senate COVID 19 Response Working Group
On Thursday, we heard from the Minnesota Hospital Association, as well as, MN nurses and long-term care providers. Here are a few of the discussion items we will continue to work on from that meeting:
- Emergency assistance compact for healthcare personnel coming to work from out of state
- Financial solutions for rural hospitals
- Supplies for our hospital workers for safety in their work environment
- Plans for Long-term care facilities to help them mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities
The second meeting was this morning and focused on Economic Relief and Recovery. Business owners from around the state offered their testimony and stories. Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari gave his perspective of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy in MN. Commissioner Grove from DEED updated us on the agency’s increased staff, numbers of unemployment claims, loan information, and updates from Federal programs like the CARE Act.
The Response Working Group will continue to meet and discuss the impacts of this virus on our state and citizens. Monday, April 6th our meeting will focus on State Government Budgets – preparing budgets for potential FY 2021 General Fund deficit.
To listen in on the meetings, go to https://www.facebook.com/MNSenate/
COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCES
MN COVID-19 website announced by Governor Walz is: https://mn.gov/covid19/
MN Dept. of Revenue- Individuals
MN Dept. of Revenue – Business
MN Dept. of Emp./Econ. Dev (DEED)