SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Thursday afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a package of legislation to assist Minnesotans coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related disruptions. The text of the bill can be found here. Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview) supported the legislation.
“With COVID-19 challenging Minnesotans in unthinkable ways, I’m proud that legislators came together on a bipartisan basis to deliver these much-needed investments in our state’s response to the pandemic,” Rep. Moller said. “Life as we know it has changed, and the situation will continue to evolve. Along with Minnesotans doing their part by following precautions like practicing good hygiene and social distancing, this aid package will be critical to ensuring our state can protect the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of Minnesotans.”
The legislation approved, 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.
During the House Floor session, social distancing practices were implemented, with legislators spread across the floor, the galleries, and outside the House Chamber, as well as staggered arrival times.
The Minnesota Senate also approved the bill, and Governor Walz signed it into law on Saturday.
Additional information on the Minnesota House’s efforts to address COVID-19 can be found here.