Senator Goggin’s Legislative Update

Friends and Neighbors,

As we continue to navigate these trying times together, I wanted to be sure to provide you with up-to-date information for our students, parents and teachers. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me and my office if you have questions regarding your school district.

Altura-Lewiston Public Schools:

Information:
https://www.lewalt.k12.mn.us/page/4545

Meals:
https://www.lewalt.k12.mn.us/sites/lewalt.k12.mn.us/files/files/COVID19/

COVID19%20Plans%203.18.20.pdf

Cannon Falls Public Schools:

Distance Learning/Meals:
https://sites.google.com/cf.k12.mn.us/covid-19/home

Goodhue Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
http://goodhue.ss16.sharpschool.com/news/what_s_new/hard_at_work_

Meals:
http://goodhue.ss16.sharpschool.com/news/what_s_new/school_financial_plan_available_now

Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
http://www.kw.k12.mn.us/sites/kw.k12.mn.us/files/k-w_distance_learning_plan_a.pdf

Meals:
http://www.kw.k12.mn.us/news/student-meals-during-school-closure

Lake City Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
https://sites.google.com/lake-city.k12.mn.us/coronavirusplan/distance-learning-plans

Meals:
https://sites.google.com/lake-city.k12.mn.us/coronavirusplan/food-service

Pine Island Public Schools:

Information:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ivPsCr1wRTczuSsdwAKLLpR3F9vEwS2omdAEEr02Tes/edit

Meals:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AMtnpfxM9Vs_CVYgTjXKC3pM_n3IU6YLo5jxcz-8fPw/edit

Plainview-Elgin-Millville Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
https://www.pem.k12.mn.us/

Meals:
https://www.pem.k12.mn.us/sites/pem.k12.mn.us/files/files/Private_User/
btheisen/Child%20Care%20%26%20Meals%20Information.pdf

Red Wing Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
https://redwing.k12.mn.us/sites/redwing.k12.mn.us/files/files/

Private_User/TeeDee1!/Temporary%20Folder/covid/Distance%20Learning%20Plan%202020.03.19.pdf

Meals:
https://redwing.k12.mn.us/sites/redwing.k12.mn.us/files/files/

Private_User/TeeDee1!/Temporary%20Folder/covid/Meal%20Flier%20326.pdf

Saint Charles Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
https://www.scschools.net/sites/scschools.net/files/files/Private_User/sdaood/3-27-2020-Distance%20Learning%20Plan%20Information.pdf

Meals/Information:
https://www.scschools.net/COVID-19districtupdates

Triton (West Concord) Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
http://www.wearetriton.info/distance-learning-plans.html

Meals:
http://www.wearetriton.info/meal-plan.html

Wabasha-Kellogg Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
https://www.wabasha-kellogg.k12.mn.us/sites/wabasha-kellogg.k12.mn.us/files/files/Private_User/jfreihammer/DistanceLearningBeginsMarch30-032620.pdf

Meals:
https://www.wabasha-kellogg.k12.mn.us/sites/wabasha-kellogg.k12.mn.us/files/files/Private_User/jfreihammer/COVID-19MealSign-UpLetter2-031920POST_1.pdf

Winona Area Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
https://www.winonaschools.org/news/details/~board/district-board/post/waps-will-remain-closed-begin-distance-learning-march-31

Meals:
https://www.winonaschools.org/news/details/~board/district-board/post/how-to-receive-free-student-meals-during-school-closure

Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools:

Distance Learning:
http://www.zmschools.us/sites/zmschools.us/files/zumbrota-mazeppa_p-12_distance_learning_plan_3-26-20.pdf

Meals:
http://www.zmschools.us/news/meal-service-update

Helping Minnesota Businesses during COVID-19

U.S. Small Business Administration loans available

One way Minnesota businesses may be able to get assistance is through low interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). With this Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration, Minnesota businesses are now able to apply for loans to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.

Online applications for these loans are open to Minnesota businesses at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Details:

-This program can provide low-interest loans of up to $2 million to small businesses and private non-profits.

-These loans can go toward working capital to meet needs including payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debt payments that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

-The current interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The non-profit rate is 2.75%.

-These loans have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years.

For additional information, please visit the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan website.

Unemployment Insurance information for employers:

Additional Unemployment Insurance information for employers affected by COVID-19

If your workers apply for unemployment benefits, you will be notified.

Lost business insurance coverage:

Lost business income insurance is subject to the specific terms and conditions of your policy. Contact the broker or agent that sold the policy or your insurance company.

Minnesota Stay-at-Home Order

Governor Walz announced a Stay-at-Home Order, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, lasting until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 10.

I am sure you have a lot of questions and I will continue to provide additional resources as they become available. For now, I hope the links below are helpful.

Email address for questions that will be directed to the Governor’s administration:

criticalsectors@state.mn.us

Essential Businesses

If you are wondering what businesses will still be operating, please visit:

https://mn.gov/deed/assets/naics-critical-list_tcm1045-424829.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2drd6n9Wo-nPxMr1vJwecyKYCk1-fl_A0yxVErLEM_ydy88M_iZV1-w8o

In addition, should they say that you do not qualify, there is also an option to apply for this exemption:

https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/business-exemptions/

COVID-19 frequently asked questions site:

https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/faq/

Additional COVID-19 funding passed by Minnesota Legislature

Senate Republicans passed a third COVID-19 response bill yesterday, allocating an additional $331 million to help Minnesotans withstand the effects of this global pandemic. Today’s action establishes a dedicated COVID-19 Minnesota Fund that will be used by the Walz administration to keep Minnesotans safe during this emergency. The package also includes funding for childcare providers, college students, small businesses, veterans, homeless shelters and food shelves. Previous COVID-19 bills passed by the legislature allocated $221 million in funding for medical needs, bringing the total to $552 million this year to address the Coronavirus pandemic in Minnesota.

We remain committed to providing the support Minnesotans need as we fight this virus. These are extraordinary times and we are working in tandem with our constituents to navigate our way through this pandemic together. We are prepared and we remain vigilant. We will get through this time together and recover from this stronger than before.

The COVID-19 Minnesota Fund can only be used for expenses incurred during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency as declared by Executive Order 20-01 to maintain operations of government. Examples of increased costs would be additional healthcare and staffing needs in prison facilities, staffing and overtime for direct care and treatment, and resources for activities by the national guard in response to COVID-19, among other expenses incurred by state government.

The bill includes $30 million in Child Care Aware grants during the peacetime emergency. In order to receive a grant, the childcare provider must have a license in good standing or qualify as an emergency provider, must prioritize the children of healthcare and emergency workers, maintain their service during the peacetime emergency, and follow practices that prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Higher learning students have also been impacted by the closures of colleges and universities during the pandemic. Temporary powers granted in the bill allow the Commissioner of Higher Education to waive rules and statues for work study, SELF loans, and the state grant program to assist students in financial hardship. The bill conforms to changes made at the federal level in response to COVID-19.

With small business across the state closing due to the Stay at Home executive order, the bill makes $10 million available to small businesses in loans. The loan program is intended to provide immediate relief to small businesses and independent contractors access to capital to weather the economic crisis from the coronavirus pandemic.

Other provisions in the bill relax the REAL ID requirements, which were already presenting a backlog for Minnesotans, extend by one-month the process to appeal your property tax bill, and make temporary unemployment insurance modifications.

There is additional funding for homeless shelters, food shelves, and the State Soldier Assistance Program for veterans who are affected by COVID-19.

Read the senate bill, S.F. 4451, here.

Mike

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