Legislative Update - March 27, 2020

Dear Neighbors, 

This has been a week of continued change for Minnesota, and I’m certain more is to come. Through all of this, I remain immensely proud of the way our community has responded to this pandemic, and I know we’re going to get through this together. 

The most significant update everyone should be aware of is the implementation of the “Stay at Home” executive order tonight. The order lasts from today at 11:59pm through Friday, April 10, at 5:00pm. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend watching Governor Walz explain the science-based reasoning behind this tough but necessary measure. The grim reality of what faces Minnesota if we do nothing is too high a price. You can watch Governor Walz’s address here. 

For many in our community, this order is reflective of what we have been doing already. You can still grocery shop, go to the pharmacy, and get some fresh air with a walk outside. It may not seem like much, but we’re literally saving lives. The more time we can buy for our public health professionals by slowing the spread of the virus, the more time they have to properly prepare for and treat patients with the coronavirus.

In addition to the “Stay at Home” order, bars, restaurants, and other public accommodations will remain closed until May 1 (restaurants offering delivery and take-out services are still allowed to be open), and schools will remain closed until May 4. 

Our Work in the Minnesota Legislature

Yesterday, my colleagues and I in the Minnesota House and Senate met, while implementing social distancing, to pass our latest bill to address COVID-19 in our state. We were spread out throughout the House floor, with some members voting in the gallery and out in the rotunda.

My social distancing view on the House floor

Our latest bipartisan package of legislation will:

• Create a Minnesota COVID-19 Emergency Fund to keep our state operating

• Help businesses across the state secure private funding

• Award grants to licensed family and center-based child care providers who care for the children of health care and other emergency workers

• Ensure continued funding for food systems

• Provide needed help to local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit partners 

• Protect people experiencing homelessness from exposure to the coronavirus and to mitigate additional spread of the disease.

This bill isn’t a magical fix-all solution, but it provides the resources and clarity that we’re able to deliver right now. It doesn’t do enough to protect the Minnesotans that are continuing to go into work to help our state, but this bill is far from the end of that conversation. I’ll continue to work with my legislative colleagues and the Walz administration to deliver the resources our community deserves. 

Stay Connected

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you have. You can reach me at rep.jeff.brand@house.mn or (651) 296-8634. It’s an honor to represent you in the Minnesota House

Your Partner in St. Paul,

Jeff Brand

State Representative, District 19A