I hope you all are doing well. I know many of you have been severely impacted over the last few weeks and will continue to be impacted over the next few weeks. For those dealing with Covid hospitalizations or ICU, it is personally very difficult for you especially when normal channels of comfort like hugs and family personal support are removed.

We are doing as much as we can to mitigate the impacts of recent changes by reviewing the Governor’s orders and pushing back on many unnecessary business closures while keeping foremost health protections in place. Please continue to share your questions and concerns, it gives me insight into what information will be the most helpful to folks in my district.

Stay-at-Home order extension

I was disappointed yesterday that the Governor extended his stay-at-home order from April 10th to May 4th without allowing for a more customized common-sense approach for Minnesotans. We can both protect our health and get back to work.

The people of Minnesota are hurting. Isolation is painful. Since his first business closures were announced we have asked the Governor to reconsider his broad-based decisions and look into reopening some industries. Businesses that can implement social distancing and other basic CDC guidelines should be operating.

We can strike a balance of health and work. If people are permitted into big box stores, then small businesses in rural Minnesota should be free to open with health mitigations in place. Personal responsibility and basic freedoms can be restored for our Minnesota workers and for the individuals being impacted by these closures daily. Small businesses can and will develop smart and effective safety plans.

The Governor said today that he will begin to consider reopening some businesses, but the words aren’t enough, and we will continue to ask for action not just words.

I encourage you to contact the Governor and share your story. We are wasting time – the small businesses and families that are so valued by our communities deserve our support and our trust that, if given the opportunity to reopen, they will move forward with the best interest of their neighbors in mind. You all have my support and my word that we will keep fighting for you!

And meantime, if you are part of a vulnerable group, the rest of us will, can and are glad to help you.

You can read the latest Executive Orders here. For the latest guidance on who is exempt go to https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/business-exemptions/.

Workers Compensation

It was good news earlier this week when after much deliberation, Minnesota labor and business groups and the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council (WCAC) reached an agreement to update workers’ compensation insurance presumptions for certain laborers who contract COVID-19. Healthcare workers, first responders, childcare providers, and many of the others working tirelessly while putting their own health on the line, will have access to coverage for themselves and their families under this legislation.

We cannot properly express the extent of our appreciation to the Minnesotans putting their neighbors first as we fight this virus, but I hope these updates will at least bring some peace of mind. The Senate and House passed the bill Tuesday and it was signed by the Governor that night.

Current law requires employees to prove that their illness was contracted while at work. The new legislation reduces the responsibility of the employee to prove they were infected as a result of their occupational duties. This expedites their eligibility for workers’ compensation. The responsibility will instead be on the employer to rebut the employee’s claim if they wish to deny liability. Individuals with confirmed positive tests of COVID-19 will be presumed to have the disease as a result of their occupation, thereby making them eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under state law.

Most licensed peace officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, health care workers, correction officers, workers at secure state facilities, workers at long-term care facilities, and childcare providers are among the classes of workers included in the bill. This improves protections and provides extra safeguards for essential workers who are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Proposed Adjustments to MN Election System

These are extraordinary times and election administration, like almost everything else in society, may need some adjusting. Minnesota has a long history of bipartisan election policy and Senate Republicans will continue in a bipartisan fashion with the House and Senate Democrats and Secretary Simon (DFL) to make changes where needed.

Thankfully, Minnesota already has one of the most robust no-excuse absentee ballot request processes in the country. I would suggest that Secretary Simon make the application for an absentee ballot available online today instead of waiting until mid-May. You can apply for an absentee ballot here. I believe Minnesota can safely do both large-scale absentee voting and election day voting at polling locations with current law and some bi-partisan adjustments where needed. This could include relocating polling sites out of certain congregate locations that house vulnerable Minnesotans.

As always, I look forward to getting to work for the people of Minnesota to ensure a fair, free, and healthy election process.

I will continue to update you as new information and resources become available. I hope you all are doing well and staying healthy. If I can be helpful to you in any way, please contact my office at sen.mary.kiffmeyer@senate.mn or 651-296-5655.

Resources

Be Ready MN

A guide for small businesses who need help

Employees/Unemployment Benefits

Economic Impact Payments from the IRS

Minnesota COVID-19 website

Minnesota Health Insurers announce COVID-19 coverage

Childcare Grants

Mental Health

Working Groups from this week

Senate COVID-19 Response Working Group focusing on Minnesota’s Budget
Senate COVID-19 Response Working Group focusing on Long- Term Care
Senate COVID-19 Response Working Group focusing on Transportation Issues