Dear Neighbors,
Today is Census Day. By now, you should have received an invitation in the mail to respond to the census. When you respond, you'll share information about where you live as of today, April 1, 2020. The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. Counting every Minnesotan accurately is critical to ensuring our state gets our fair share of federal investments in health care, public safety, education, and billions of dollars of other important resources.
You can respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail – all without having to meet a census taker.
You can access information and support in 59 non-English languages here, including American Sign Language, braille and large print.
First Official Remote House Committee Hearing
To ensure the House of Representatives can continue to conduct business during the COVID-19 pandemic, a remote committee hearing process has been implemented. Today, the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee is holding a remote hearing at 2:30pm. Click here to view the agenda.
Members of the public interested in testifying should email committee staff at rules@house.mn. Audio of the hearing will be broadcast live on the House website, YouTube, and Facebook.
Help from the Alzheimer’s Association
Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic shouldn’t mean isolation. Unfortunately, this can be a problem impacting older Minnesotans, especially with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
No one should ever face Alzheimer's alone, especially in times like we are experiencing now with COVID-19 and the required social-distancing. Resources for those impacted by dementia and Alzheimer's disease are provided by the Alzheimer's Association. Fortunately, the organization has been able to pivot and adapt their services to deliver critical programs to the people who need them most. Online resources, virtual community programs, telephone support groups, caregiver tips and a 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 are all available.
Latest on COVID-19
On Saturday, Governor Walz signed a comprehensive COVID-19 package allocating $330 million in aid for Minnesota's response, which will help our state care for our most vulnerable in the face of an unprecedented crisis. The legislature passed the bill with broad bipartisan support on March 26.
HF 4531 includes the following actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, among many other policy proposals that will help Minnesotans:
- Establishes the COVID-19 Minnesota Fund to support further action
- Creates peacetime emergency child care grants
- Provides COVID-19 assistance for veterans
- Supports food shelves and food banks
- Expands resources for emergency services and homeless shelters
- Expands support available to small businesses
- Extends disaster assistance for farmers to include losses due to COVID-19
Yesterday, Governor Walz signed two Executive Orders, which extend licenses for first responders and allow the medical cannabis program to continue safely serving Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Order 20-25 extends licenses for peace officers, firefighters, and private security personnel. The Order allows professionals on the front lines combating COVID-19 to maintain their licenses and continue supporting Minnesotans during the peacetime emergency.
Executive Order 20-26 extends enrollment dates for current medical cannabis patients that are set to expire over the next several months; allows any patient to request a temporary caregiver so they are able to send someone to pick up medication on their behalf; and allows medical cannabis patients to practice social distancing with curbside delivery and telephone pharmacist consultations. This Order will help keep immunocompromised individuals safe and lessen the burden on busy healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minnesota Department of Health remains the best resource for accurate, up-to-date information regarding this pandemic. Please visit their website for informative resources, and they also have versions in Hmong, Spanish, and Somali. You can also call their hotline, staffed by public health professionals from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily, at 651-201-3920.
Please contact me if you have questions or if I can be of assistance in any way. Email me at rep.fue.lee@house.mn or call me at 651-296-4262. Please take care of yourself and your family.
Sincerely,
Rep. Fue Lee