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Dear neighbors,
Yesterday, my colleagues and I met to approve needed legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic. We passed a COVID-19 aid package that provides, among other things, emergency loans for small businesses experiencing financial hardship, grants to help child care providers continue caring for the children of emergency workers, support for food shelves, and funding for housing security. More details are available here.
This legislation will help alleviate some of the challenges that Minnesotans are facing, but there are more issues that we will need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. We are committed to protecting Minnesotans’ health and economic well-being during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue working on other important measures, such as securing pay for hourly school workers and workers’ compensation benefits for first responders.
Stay at Home Order
On Wednesday, Governor Walz issued an executive order directing Minnesotans to stay at home and limit movements outside their homes. The order takes effect tonight at 11:59 p.m. and ends on Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m.
You will be able to leave your home to buy groceries, seek medical care, exercise outside, and perform other necessary activities. However, you should keep a six-foot distance between yourself and others while doing so. You shouldn’t go to work unless you work in a critical sector that is exempt from the stay at home order. Resources to help you determine if you’re eligible for an exemption are available here.
I know there are a lot of questions about the stay at home order. Additional information, including answers to some frequently asked questions, is available here. Please let me know if you have any trouble finding answers to your questions.
Support for Minnesota Workers
In an effort to support the many Minnesotans affected by the temporary closure of restaurants, bars, and other gathering places, Governor Walz signed an executive order to strengthen Minnesota’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and ensure that people who aren’t able to work have benefits available. If your employment has been impacted by COVID-19, you can apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) at uimn.org.
Assistance for Small Businesses
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) created a Small Business Emergency Loan program to help small businesses affected by COVID-19. The program will offer interest-free loans between $2,500 and $35,000. Information about this new program is available here.
Minnesota small businesses and non-profits are eligible for loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as well. The federal agency is accepting applications for low-interest loans of up to $2 million. Click here for more information about the loan program and how to apply.
Evictions Suspended
On Monday, Governor Walz announced he was suspending all evictions due to failure to pay rent starting on March 24. All foreclosure proceedings and related evictions will be halted as well. While this executive order doesn’t cancel rent or mortgage payments, it ensures that Minnesotans can remain in their homes if they aren’t able to meet these obligations.
MNsure Special Enrollment Period
In response to the growth of COVID-19 cases, MNsure launched a special enrollment period for Minnesotans who are currently without insurance. The special enrollment period began on March 23 and runs through April 21, giving qualified individuals 30 days to enroll in health coverage through MNsure.org. You can call 651-539-2009 or 855-366-7873 with questions about enrollment or eligibility or click here to get free help from a MNsure expert assister.
Tax Filing Deadline Extended
The Minnesota Department of Revenue recently announced that the state income tax filing deadline has been extended. Minnesotans now have until July 15 to file their returns without any penalties or interest. The deadline for filing federal tax returns was pushed back to July 15 as well. More information is available here.
While this is a stressful and concerning time for all of us, I am encouraged because I know that Minnesotans care deeply about our state and for one another. Please take care of yourself and others and let me know if I can ever be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Peter Fischer
State Representative
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