The Minnesota Senate yesterday approved bipartisan legislation creating a formula to fairly distribute the share federal COVID-19 assistance funds that can be used to help local governments. Gov. Tim Walz currently has the sole authority over the federal coronavirus aid, and concerns have been raised about both transparency and accountability in how the aid is distributed.

This bill ensures that communities in Greater Minnesota that have been impacted by COVID-19 will receive equal access to the funding needed to rebuild and restore local economies,” said Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake).  “This compromise guarantees fair distribution to every county and city and I am pleased to see this passed to ensure local governments receive access to these federal funds without delay.”

Minnesota received more than$2billion from the federal government to help local governments, health professionals, and businesses fight COVID-19. That money went into an account called the Federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, so it could be quickly deployed to places it is needed most.

The bipartisan agreement distributes the local government portion of that funding – about $841 million – fairly to Minnesota counties, cities, and towns based on a formula using their population.

Communities throughout Senate District 20 stand to benefit from the bill, including:

COUNTIES & CITIES in SENATE DISTRICT 20

• Le Sueur County – $3.468 million
• Rice County – $8.048 million
• Scott County – $17.720 million
• Belle Plaine – $558,121
• Bridgewater – $45,475
• Cedar Lake – $75,975
• Dundas – $118,360
• Elko New Market – $359,298
• Helena – $46,725
• Kasota – $40,050
• Lanesburgh – $50,975
• Le Center – $190,159
• Le Sueur – $308,217
• Lonsdale – $311,005
• Montgomery City – $231,973
• New Market – $89,425
• New Prague – $606,941
• Northfield – $1.539 million
• Shieldsville – $29,675
• Webster – $45,800
• Wheatland – $32,575

In addition, you can find the funding levels cities and small towns.