Today, the Minnesota Legislature passed an emergency funding package to assist with the state’s coronavirus outbreak response efforts. The legislation, which is the third aid package approved by the legislature, passed with bipartisan support.
“In the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency, we must make sure Minnesotans are equipped to deal with the crisis. This legislation is the direct result of the governor’s emergency declarations and represent his requests. While I am happy to vote for this bill to support the governor’s efforts on this prorated basis, it simply does not provide enough support to prop up small businesses across the state – the backbone of our economy – that have been devastated by these circumstances,” said Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. “The next weeks and months are full of unknowns and it has never been more important that the state government works for the people. That’s what we’re doing with this bipartisan bill.”
The legislation includes more than $300 million for the state’s COVID-19 response efforts, including provisions for small businesses, college students, childcare providers, and state agencies. A dedicated ‘COVID-19 Minnesota Fund’, which includes a bipartisan oversight commission, will be used to allocate the funds during this public health emergency. The legislation includes $10 million for small business loans, relaxes proof of residency requirements for REAL ID, extends property tax deadlines by one month, and makes temporary unemployment insurance modifications. Finally, the package also includes funding for childcare providers, college students, small businesses, veterans, homeless shelters, and food shelves.
To date, the legislature has passed nearly $552 million to address the pandemic in Minnesota.
For more information on the state’s response to COVID-19, please see: