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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL)

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Legislative Update- March 20, 2020

Friday, March 20, 2020

Rep. Youakim

 

Dear Neighbors,

We are facing unprecedented time in Minnesota right now but, I know that we can get through this if we all work together. Please follow the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, stay at home if you are sick, while in public stay 6 feet apart, and limit your public movement if possible. This will lower the risk for the vulnerable members of our population and help us flatten the curve to reduce the spread of the illness. You can get further information on the guidelines here.

 

covid

 

Many Minnesotans – workers and business owners alike – are experiencing a deep and sudden financial hardship as a result the temporary closure of bars, restaurants, and most other gathering places. To address these, the Governor issued an executive order to provide for immediate payment of unemployment insurance benefits. To apply for Unemployment Insurance, visit http://www.uimn.org

Additionally, the Governor announced yesterday that businesses will have a one-month interest and penalty-free grace period on the deadline to file sales taxes, which will help alleviate financial strain businesses are facing from COVID-19. Our small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and community. If you’re a small business owner, or know someone who is an employer, please review and share the resources:

Questions for workers and employers:

651-259-7114 or 800-657-3858 

Visit https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/.

BREAKING:

As I am writing, Governor Walz today signed three more Executive Orders today that ban price gouging in Minnesota and ensure that critical services continue for our state’s most vulnerable. He also announced that MNsure is holding a special enrollment period to ensure Minnesotans can access health coverage during the COVID-19 crisis. He announced a partnership with the YMCA to provide care for the school-age children of emergency workers and announced that the state of Minnesota is entering an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the prevention, response, and recovery efforts around this pandemic.

The House, Senate, and Governor are continuing to collaborate with one another on a bipartisan level. Currently, we’re working on:

  • Ensuring hourly workers and contract workers at our schools get paid
  • Ensuring workers have paid time off for COVID-19-related illness or business closure
  • Licensing extensions and flexibility for businesses
  • Preventing evictions and foreclosures during the pandemic
  • Forgiveness for expired driver’s licenses
  • Giving the DHS Commissioner temporary authority to keep our long term care and disability services up and running
  • Child care provider support
  • Local jobs and projects bill
  • Abatement of penalties for late income and property tax filings

Although I am practicing social distancing, and not physically at the Capitol, know that I am still working for you and our community at the state level. Don’t hesitate to contact me anytime at rep.cheryl.youakim@house.mn or 651-296-9889. And, ‘Like’ or ‘follow’ my official Facebook page for additional updates. It is truly an honor to represent you. We will get through this difficult time together.

Stay well and have a good weekend,

Cheryl

 

 
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