SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives enacted a package of legislation to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions. The text of the legislation can be found here.
“COVID-19 has created tremendous challenges to the public health and economic security of Minnesotans and I’m grateful we advanced these important solutions today,” said Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth). “Assembling a bill as complex as this one under physical distancing guidelines wasn’t easy, but I’m pleased legislators approved this with broad, bipartisan support so our state can continue our efforts to combat this crisis.”
“With thoughtful leadership from Governor Walz and outstanding public health professionals, our state government is taking responsible steps to address this situation and today, I’m proud the Minnesota legislature contributed to these critical efforts,” said Rep. Liz Olson (DFL - Duluth), the House Majority Whip. “Minnesotans care for one another, and I’m encouraged by the support we’ve seen from businesses, health care organizations, and individual Minnesotans to help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The legislation approved today includes, among other things, $200 million toward the newly created state COVID-19 Fund, $9 million to the Department of Human Services for food security, $26.5 million for the Emergency Service Grants program to provide shelter for Minnesota’s homeless population, $30 million in one-time grants to child care providers, $10 million for small business loans, financial relief for Minnesota’s workers, and the necessary flexibility for state agencies to respond to the pandemic.
Additional information on the Minnesota House’s efforts to address COVID-19 can be found here.